spot_img
29 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Are self driving trucks the future of commercial trucking?

- Advertisement -

As Tesla unveiled its e-truck, its rivals are a step ahead in terms of developing new technology that might put the human element out of the equation. Industry insiders predict that self-driving vehicles are not just exclusive to cars, because truck manufacturers are currently testing and developing autonomous commercial vehicles. Audi and Mercedes Benz are aggressively pushing the envelope of self-driving truck technology with fully functional units and is boldly stating that this technology can be realized within the decade. 

Audi's Plan B truck is a glimpse into how trucks might look like

In the United States, self-driving truck technology is already being explored by a Silicon Valley start-up company and is optimistic that with the availability of talent, technology and a strong financial investment, self driving technology is the future for the commercial trucking industry. 

A company established by two former Google employees involved in the software giant’s self-driving car project is currently developing a self-driving e-truck. With a manpower complement of 41 individuals, the Otto Company is testing their technology on three Volvo big rigs equipped with cameras, radars, and spinning laser sensors. As of the third second quarter of last year, they had already logged over 10,000 miles on their self-driving technology truck. 

Mercedes Benz is ironing out the kinks of its self-driving truck unit

The future of trucking is already moving at a rapid pace, as the trucking industry is seeing more and more automation on the “back end”—scheduling, planning, all the logistics that go into getting loads from point A to point B.

The biggest positive change that self-driving technology could bring is to improve the safety of truck drivers and reduce trucking accidents. Automated features might include a programmed “end of day” that pulls the truck off the road after the driver has reached the legal limit for hours logged.

- Advertisement -

With the advent of new technology, truckers are keeping their cards close to their chest and naturally resistant to change. “If that happens, it means zero jobs for people like me, which is not good actually,” says one trucker. Their fears are not without good reason, driving a commercial truck requires extensive training and involves a great deal of skilled multi-tasking. In other words, it’s no small matter to introduce a new element into a commercial truck driver’s protocol.

Silicon Valley firm Otto has three working self-driving trucks

Recent changes such as GPS technology and electronic log books have met with a great deal of grumbling from veteran truck drivers. But in recent years, the industry has had an influx of younger drivers, for whom this new technology is already second nature.

The biggest fear, of course, for truck drivers is that self-driving technology could make their jobs obsolete. But industry veterans and experts agree that it’s unlikely you could ever completely eliminate the driver from the truck. “A fully automated truck technology will probably be realized a decade or two from now. There are too many factors to consider before it becomes a reality,” says Bill Watson, a trucker from Texas. Dino Ray V. Directo III

 

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles