Tractor-trailers with no one aboard? The future is near for self-driving trucks on US roads
Late this year, Aurora Innovation Inc. plans to start hauling freight on Interstate 45 between the Dallas and Houston areas with 20 driverless trucks.
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“If you’re driving a truck today,” he said, “my expectation is you’re going to be able to retire driving a truck.”
Probably true as it will take a while for them to ramp the numbers up to cover the shortage in truck drivers, and they'll still need drivers for that last mile (as these trucks work best going between depots on freeways) but how long will being a truck driver be a viable occupation? When it's one of the biggest areas of employment, can everyone transition to other logistical jobs, as suggested by the article?
Have you heard of "pedestrian controlled" trucks? They're increasingly common. Here's one being used to move an airplane cargo container:
They're usually small but these days some carry 15 tons and you just grab them by a handle and start walking. Often there's a lifting function (to load cargo onto/off of tall shelves/etc).
You're not always limited to walking speed, some of them have a platform the operator can stand on to increase the speed.
I could totally see those increasing in size, to the size of a full size shipping container maybe, and having a wireless control system instead of needing to stand right next to it (which could be dangerous). It'd have sensors prevent the operator from running into anything and the control would just be a pair of joysticks. Outside of the loading dock of a building, they'd be able to drive autonomously.
The job of "driver" would be replaced by just a team of people who load / unload the cargo and plan/supervise the truck. And I don't think it's far away at all - we're already seeing it with smaller cargo loads (is 15 ton all that small?).
Have you heard of “pedestrian controlled” trucks
they are called forklifts and they are around for quite some time now 😆
Just ask Klause.
oh my. the... motorized pedestrian truck driver klaus. haven't seen this gem in some time.
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