Thieves Stole PlusAI and Nvidia Self-Driving Truck Trailers—But Found 40,000 Pounds of Sand Inside

Two trailers used in PlusAI’s autonomous truck testing were taken from outside a Newark, California, warehouse and later recovered intact.

Thursday morning, executives at self-driving truck developer PlusAI received an unexpected text message from an acquaintance congratulating them.

“I’m so proud of your adventures and successes at Plus. I just saw two of your trucks near my work! :)” the message read.

Two PlusAI Trailers Were Taken From Outside a Warehouse

The PlusAI equipment was not supposed to be anywhere near the acquaintance’s office in Newark, California. The company’s last known location for the trailer was half a mile away, outside its warehouse.

Police said they arrived shortly afterward and helped recover two trailers bearing the logos of PlusAI and Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company. The two companies are collaborating on artificial intelligence software and self-driving truck technology.

A PlusAI employee gave police a possible explanation for why the person who hitched a taxi to a trailer and drove away may have abandoned the equipment after breaking into it.

The Trailers Were Loaded With Sand, Not High-Tech Equipment

Each trailer contained approximately 20,000 pounds of sand.

“PlusAI uses simulated loads on trailers to aid in research and development testing,” company spokesperson Lauren Kwan said. The recovered trailer contained “40,000 pounds of sand intact.”

The cab of the PlusAI-powered truck—where a driver typically sits and controls the vehicle—remained inside the warehouse and was not taken, Kwan said. The trailer had been secured with handcuffs, but the restraints were broken.

Fremont Police Department spokeswoman Amy Gee said the incident remains under investigation and that no arrests have been made.

Nvidia did not respond to requests for comment.

High-Value Technology Cargo Has Become a Target

The incident comes as thefts of expensive computer equipment—including chips and other electronics intended for data centers—are increasing.

In August, WIRED reported on two incidents in California. In one case, thieves deliberately attacked a security guard’s vehicle while it was tracking a high-value, high-tech shipment to ensure it reached its destination. The truck carrying the shipment was then driven to another location. As of August, millions of dollars’ worth of data center equipment had still not been recovered.

Thieves have also targeted Tesla batteries and various Bitcoin mining machines this year. Although authorities arrested suspects in some cases, many of the crimes remained unsolved.

According to analysis from risk assessment and research firm Verisk Cargonet, common targets for cargo theft across the United States in recent months have included metal, enterprise-grade computers and networking equipment.

Sand-Filled Trailer Returned to PlusAI

The incident ultimately had a happy ending. By Thursday afternoon, the sand-filled trailer had been returned to PlusAI, according to the Fremont Police Department.