Axios
Drivers along a 200-mile stretch of I-45 between Dallas and Houston should get ready for something new: The semi-truck in the next lane might not have anyone in the driver’s seat.
Why it matters: Autonomous trucking companies have been testing their fleets on Texas highways for several years, but always with backup safety drivers in the cab.
Now, one company, Aurora Innovation, says it plans to go completely driverless at the end of the month, a key milestone that promises to reshape the trucking industry. More
Is this because Trump is taking away their illegal alien drivers?
sign on vehicles: we are not responsible for accidents or deaths, call 1-800-pedocrat for assistance
A quick search shows trucking industry reports 3.5 million “truckers” in the US with between 300-500 being long-distance drivers. While nowhere near as desolate as the long stretches of West Texas, there is plenty of open country with easy access along I-45 from Houston to Dallas. How long till a disgruntled driver or just some bored individuals decide to take out a truck? Will it be when the trucks are newly introduced or when drivers start to be impacted by layoffs?
Not me officer. I’m a retired software developer who doesn’t enjoy road trips.
Sorry, I can’t stand not making the correction. It’s 300-500K long-distance
If the government hadn’t over-regulated the human drivers, the industry wouldn’t be turning to illegal aliens or autonomous trucks. There is no freedom of the open road for American truckers these days, especially the owner-operators.
Hope they have outstanding insurance
Look at it this way. At least Hollywood will have something to make a new disaster movie about.
Hold the trucking companies 100% responsible for ALL liabilities and maybe even more for negligence, and it could work. Sorry, when a snowflake can block a front sensor and cause the car to slam on the brakes (see posts by Eric Peters regarding his test drives in the snow of just regular vehicles with front crash sensors) I sure as hell would not want to be anywhere near a big rig in anything but PERFECT dry, conditions. Hell, just the horrible maintenance of the painted lines on the roadway could lead to accidents, etc.
I hope they don’t haul anything more explosive or toxic than pillows or feathers.
Autonomous or illegal who can’t read or speak English. You decide.
There must be some fun things that can throw the AI off track. Maybe drop a mannequin from your truck bed and see what happens?
We are not ready for this future yet.
love that idea
Anyone who wanted to mess things up really well for these roborigs would need nothing more complicated than a bag or two of shredded paper documents. Get in front of the truck and toss out lots of camera-confusing chaff.
I drive that stretch of road often. This isn’t going to work out well.
Want to put a stop to this in a hurry? Hack the code so the trucks drive in the left lane at 8 MPH under the limit.
Actually they have been experimenting with these rigs for a few years. I want to say in Arizona, but not sure. Hate to say it, but it’s hard to blame the trucking companies.
@ 443: just like most of the “customer service” workers employed by unidentified companies
Frankly, you’d never know you’re around one, until it smashes you like a bug, with a toot of the air horn thrown in for fun.
autonomous, like the tx assy dindus
Geez,wonder how this will work out?
BAR no, it isn’t…