Will autonomous trucks eliminate truck drivers? Discussion on this has been running around for some time now. While autonomous semi-trucks offer significant potential benefits in terms of efficiency, cost savings, safety, and environmental impact, they also present challenges related to costs, regulations, job displacement, safety, and public acceptance. Balancing these pros and cons will be crucial for the successful integration of autonomous trucks into the transportation and logistics industry.
My first reaction to this question is NO, not in the foreseeable future. The misguided ones that stand to benefit from such a revolution will disagree. If the related grand EV roll-outs are any indication of the bold predictions of autonomous trucks, than I think my view is more of a safe bet. Many of the same problems with EV infrastructure will taint the autonomous truck segment and damper any real advancement for some time to come. This issue is “too big to rig”, no matter how much fakery or proclamations that are made will make this a near reality. Below are the pros and cons of some research from the Department of Transportation on this subject with some annotation.
Pros:
- Increased Efficiency:
- Autonomous trucks can operate 24/7 without the need for breaks, potentially reducing delivery times.💩 – Charging takes hours if you can get a recharging station or who is going to pump fuel if diesel?
- Optimized driving can lead to better fuel efficiency, reducing costs and emissions.
- Enhanced Safety:
- Autonomous trucks can eliminate human errors such as distracted driving, fatigue, and impaired driving, which are major causes of accidents. 😒 (Don’t think they are fool-proof yet)
- Advanced sensors and algorithms can react faster than human drivers to avoid collisions.
- Cost Savings:
- Reduced labor costs as the need for human drivers decreases.💩(So far, this has not been proven. Most of these trucks still have a driver in the cab monitoring. What about who is running the AI systems running the autonomous trucks?)
- Lower insurance premiums due to fewer accidents.😜 Really? What about the substantial higher cost of the truck? The insurance companies will up the cost of collision for sure.)
- Addressing Driver Shortage:
- The trucking industry faces a significant driver shortage, and autonomous trucks could fill this gap.💩(I have been hearing about this driver shortage for decades.)
- Predictable and Reliable Operations:
- Autonomous trucks can maintain consistent speeds and routes, leading to more reliable delivery schedules.🤷♂️(Not sure a machine can go any faster on our clogged interstates).
Cons:
- Technological Challenges:
- Current technology may not be able to handle all driving conditions, such as extreme weather or complex urban environments. (Refer back to Pro’s 5 comment)
- Ensuring the reliability and security of the software systems is a significant challenge.
- High Initial Costs:
- The development and deployment of autonomous trucks require substantial investment.
- Maintenance and updates to the technology can also be costly.
- Regulatory and Legal Hurdles:
- There is a lack of uniform regulations across different regions, which can complicate deployment.
- Liability issues in the event of an accident involving an autonomous truck are still unresolved.🤦♀️(These trucks will not be immune from the blood sucking lawyers. Can you see the sign now – Autonomous Truck Accident?? Call 1-800-555-5555)
- Job Displacement:
- The widespread adoption of autonomous trucks could lead to significant job losses for truck drivers, impacting livelihoods.
- Cybersecurity Risks:
- Autonomous vehicles are vulnerable to hacking and other cyber threats, which could pose safety risks.🐱🚀(Hackers Paradise)
- Public Perception and Acceptance:
- There may be resistance from the public and from industry stakeholders who are wary of the new technology.
Trucks require more than driving. Think about all the other actions that are required to run a truck safely and efficiently. Load securement especially on flatbeds and other open decks – who is going to take over that task? The customer doesn’t want or will be unwilling to do it. What about the securement equipment? Don’t count on the truck to have it since it will be unlikely anyone is keeping track of it after the first load.
The Elephant in the room is the question of who is going to pay for any adoption to these trucks? The big fleet companies will give this a try (some presently are) for sure but only for limited segments of their operation. Smaller fleets will probably not be able to afford this and it’s going to be a HARD NO from owner-operators. The only reliable source of money to fund a conversion of any sorts will probably come from the government which will certainly benefit (Shocker alert) some insiders who will try to force this change.
Technology is a good thing in the right application. This writer firmly believes the application of autonomous trucks should not be forced onto this industry. The free-market has been the best arbiter of which products and services succeed in our society. The free-market most always benefits the wider population where government mandates usually only benefit the limited few.
Our advocate in the trucking industry, the ATA (American Trucking Association), seems too close to Washington DC sometimes but we have to start somewhere. If you agree that Robo-Trucker should be carefully introduced to our industry by choice, not force, please make your feelings known to them. Their contact info is: Phone 703-838-1996 or by email [email protected]. In the meantime – TRUCK ON drivers!
Please let us know what you think by leaving a comment on what you think about this important subject.
#autonomoustrucks #truckamuck
