Everybody is saying that these driverless trucks are on the way. The technology is catching up but there is a long way to go before these actually hit the road as truly driverless. I really hope they do get it because I really really want to just put in an address and then kick back and let the car drive.
I may be negative on the subject but I heard a great report on the radio on what will they do when a real driver is going to challenge a driverless truck. The truck is going to have to yield I’m guessing because it will be programmed to avoid accidents. People in cars are already pretty stupid around trucks and I predict they will get even bolder when they know the truck or other car is programmed to avoid them.
I think driver assist or co-pilot will be reality where it could be enabled in traffic or on a highway there can be an autopilot mode.
I’m def not saying the driverless trucks are not a reality but not in the near future. I read a lot of articles that seem to think we are going to see these trucks around us in the next year. Who is going to own these driverless trucks? Is the driver liable for the accident or is the software maker whose untested driving app responsible. Is there an insurance requirement for a driverless truck? Is the insurance more or less? I am guessing it is going to be up to the states also to decide the rules on where the can be used.
All pretty exciting stuff that will help the industry grow more efficient and save some costs that will hopefully make it into the drivers pocket. I don’t think any of us have to worry about driverless trucks taking jobs and if it becomes an option that I can afford I am going to be an early adopter of the idea.
Probably one of the most exciting things that I have read are the companies that can automate the bypassing the scale and weigh station stops. If we can keep the driver on the road with fewer stops and less idling it is a good piece of technology.
I see the movement starting with a lot of technology to make it a little easier to driver a truck. And by easier I mean not so hard on the trucker. Tools will help park in tighter spots, identify dangers around the truck, get rid of the NO ZONE and make driving less stressful for the trucker. The future of trucking is definitely arriving but I am not sure it is as fast as some of the industry makes it seem.
A friend was trying to tell me the other day that they are taking the pilot out and having them fly from a simulator on the ground. Tried to tell me that trucking was the same thing. I just started thinking there is no way that is the same thing. 1st airport is pretty controlled environment. You have air traffic telling everyone where to go. Truckers have cars darting out around them and there is no control over anyone around them. 2) Pilots don’t have to secure the cargo. The driver has to make sure that load isn’t going to bang around the truck. Is a warehouse worker going to secure that load or just put in the best they can and say that it was fine when it was loaded. Damage must have happened while the robot was driving. 3) pilots are no where near anyone in the sky. Drivers have to go on and off highways and through construction zones and around schools. Just not the same concept. Put those pilots in a box in the desert and fly those people around. I will tell my autonomous car to drive me where i want and kick back knowing there are some professional people driving those 80,000 lbs machines all around me.