It may replace some of them but not all. Just how is the truck going to hook up hoses to fill gas or diesel tanks at stations. I could see these working on open highways, just not going into a chemical plant or refinery and pulling into or backing into some of the really tight locations that aren't on any map other than the ones handed out at the security gate. I guess they could have "Pilot Drivers" line they use on ships coming into port and back out.

It won't all happen at once, baby steps, but it will all happen. The technology is not that complicated, it is just getting everyone to agree to standards and implementation/build out....

I think the way this rolls out is the self-drivers stick to moving freight on the interstate system only. Probably see more dist. centers built along the interstate where the driven trucks will do the final leg(s). Will probably also see a convoy system where lead truck is manned, with some number of unmanned trucks drafting close. Trucking jobs will still be around for a time, it will evolve… a truck driver to a truck monitor, far fewer over the road gigs, etc.

Charlie

I would be a truck monitor. Could catch up on some tv.

I bet this does stay close to interstates.

Since I work in this industry, it will activate the brakes as hard as possible and stop in the middle of the highway.....

Don’t worry though, they are working on it....

What if there is a wreck right in front of it? Human input could at least decide to hit the brakes or swerve around if possible, hit the ditch or, or, or. I can't see this robot truck being better in this situation. There will be avoidable fatalities. I hope this experiment is a total failure.

When the robot truck kills someone because it malfunctions or whatever, who’s DAC report is that gonna go on?

Overall the trucks will be safer. Your example may be one where a human “could” make a better decision but half the idiots driving would probably be slower on the brakes or do nothing anyway. Factor in that “distracted driving”, txting or any other number of factors that takes driver’s eyes off the road goes away and overall these vehicles will be light years safer. Also no more drunks.

Factor in which driver, the truck driver or the ones you mention that a robot needs to avoid? I assume you didn't mean the truck driver, except for the texter. I see those every single day. Either way, a human will be better able to avoid an accident.

Go ahead and defend them now, until it is somebody close to you crushed like an aluminum can by one of them.

Some years back we had a wreck locally here with two dads, (LEO and a firefighter and their two boys), I think waiting at a stop light. A truck driver crushed that car. The are all gone now.

This autonomous driving crap is on the news all the time with just cars. This 80,000 pound truck idea is down right stupid!!

Obviously if the death effects you, it doesn’t matter the circumstances of the driving.

Every year 5000 people are killed in accidents involving 18 wheelers. In no way am I saying those are all in fault of the truck driver.

Looking broadly, if you could reduce that to 3000 per year, that’s huge. Unless you’re one of the 3000.

No way a computer can avoid the near misses like drivers do everyday. No one hears about the accident avoided due to intuition.

Remote controlled/automated 18 Wheelers loaded with stuff is a good idea............

My Uncle's Wife and Daughter lost their lives after a real life truck driver made a mistake.

There is no substitute for human intervention.


Are you guys really gonna put that much faith into this technology??

We can't even elect a President properly but we're gonna put unmanned/loaded 18 wheeler's on the road.

Great idea.

I mean we saw what an out of control loaded down 18 wheeler can do this winter.....

I saw it in action today. Was impressed. But, thought to myself that this technology will be utilized by military and farming, etc.

They can't see the little things that tell us drivers what gonna happen before it happens. I dont think they can understand the intentions of other vehicles on the road the way a human can. The driver looking in mirrors, the hands on the blinkers, whats going on in the cars, what about construction zones, and other unusual things in the road, when to swerve, or when to keep it straight. In controlled situations it can work, I definitely wouldn't send these truck through a city in rush hour traffic.

My understanding is there is and has been a Huge shortage of truck drivers for awhile so obviously that will alleviate that situation to a certain degree.

Pretty sure this technology or something very similar is already in use in Farming & the Military.