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Is There a Truck That Drives Itself?

The concept of driverless trucks is not new, but the technology is far from perfect. Trucks will need to be updated to operate reliably in all types of weather, and government regulations need to be revised to accommodate driverless vehicles. While it may take years before full driverless trucks hit the road, the U.S. government is showing signs of letting autonomous trucks operate with some regulations. Recently, the Department of Transportation announced a plan to invest $100 million in research to develop autonomous cars and trucks. It also announced a $60 million grant to private companies for testing their technology. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that government will not stand in the way of innovation in the industry.

The autonomous trucking company TuSimple is trying to achieve this ambitious goal by educating big rigs to drive themselves. However, a recent traffic accident highlighted safety and technical shortcomings.

Is There 18 Wheelers That Drive Themselves?

The goal of autonomous trucking company TuSimple is to train big rigs to drive themselves, but a recent traffic accident has exposed the flaws of this technology. The company hopes to operate a truck without a safety driver by the end of 2024.

The American economy relies on big trucks. Almost everything we buy travels by truck. But the trucking industry is in turmoil and needs a solution. This solution might be a truck that drives itself. Autonomous trucking is a field that combines artificial intelligence and automated trucks to help transport cargo.

How Do Driverless Trucks Get Gas?

Driverless trucks are a major technological advancement, with some companies already testing them on US highways. While the driverless trucks are not yet available for sale, many believe the technology could eventually replace drivers in trucks. Driverless trucks would reduce the cost of trucking by up to 75%. The trucks could avoid distractions such as texting or sleeping while driving and would be more fuel efficient. Furthermore, driverless trucks will be programmed to never overspeed, making them safer than traditional trucks.

According to a study by TuSimple, the company estimates that the average driverless truck would save 42 million metric tons of CO2 annually. This number is based on EPA data on transportation emissions. At a 10% average, autonomous trucks would save four billion gallons of gas a year, TuSimple said. In addition, the company says that it has 18 contracted customers and makes between 13 and 19 autonomous trips a day in Arizona.

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The company is currently developing its technology to enable autonomous trucks to drive on highways and city streets. The first automated trucks could begin to roll out as early as 2024. However, the company plans to take time to perfect the technology before offering it to fleet operators.

How Long until Trucking is Automated?

Automated trucks are an increasingly common part of modern life, but there are many concerns associated with them. First of all, they are likely to affect millions of jobs, particularly the jobs of long-haul truckers. Currently, over 3.5 million people are employed as long-haul truck drivers in the United States. As a result, automation will likely result in the loss of several hundred thousand long-haul driver jobs. These jobs are notoriously unsatisfying and poorly paid.

Automation has several potential benefits, including reducing trip time and costs. However, it will require technology to get past a series of incremental milestones before reaching full automation. For example, automated trucks may be limited to the Southern United States because they won’t perform well in rainy or snowy weather. Additionally, they may not be able to work in rural areas and might require a trucker to spend ten percent of his or her time driving.

However, the current driver shortage is not something to get too comfortable about. In fact, the shortage of truck drivers has hit many industries hard. While automation would not completely replace truck drivers, it could help to supplement the worst shortages.

Are Driverless Trucks Legal?

The trucking industry has a great deal of regulation to ensure safety. Federal rules govern driving time and breaks, and states determine size limits for trucks. But the safety of driverless trucks is not yet fully developed, and there is no national standard yet. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has called for more federal regulation.

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In addition to technological obstacles, there are concerns about liability. Trucking analysts are concerned that current liability laws do not properly adapt to new technologies. While the trucking industry predicts that driverless trucks will become the norm within the next decade, they’re concerned about the risk of lawsuits. Many believe that driverless trucks could save the transportation industry hundreds of billions of dollars, but there is no legal guarantee that they won’t cause accidents.

While the trucking industry is cautious about the new technology, its future is bright. But it will take time to navigate the risks and rewards of liability. And if litigation does occur, trucking companies will have to decide whether or not to invest in driverless trucks.

Is Walmart Using Driverless Trucks?

In a groundbreaking move, Walmart is now testing driverless trucks in Arkansas. The company is working with a startup called Gatik to develop autonomous truck technology. Gatik focuses on logistics in the retail industry and supplies autonomous vehicles to companies such as Walmart, as well as other businesses interested in e-commerce and box delivery.

Walmart has partnered with the company Gatik to develop autonomous trucks that operate in the middle mile of the supply chain – the distance between a warehouse and a pick-up location. These trucks are designed to deliver goods to stores, sortation centers, and warehouses. Gatik is a Silicon Valley start-up that specializes in business-to-business short-haul logistics. They have operated the autonomous trucks on a seven-mile loop route in Bentonville, Ark. Walmart has received approval for the trucks to operate without a safety driver by the Arkansas State Highway Commission in December.

Walmart is partnering with Gatik to test the technology on a 20-mile route in Arkansas. The company has worked with local officials and emergency services to develop safety guidelines for the trucking program. It has also begun holding informational workshops with local residents and the public.

Will Driverless Trucks Replace Drivers?

The possibility of driverless trucks is becoming more real with a growing number of companies testing the technology. Many states have already passed laws allowing these vehicles on the road, but others have yet to approve them for use on public roads. The American Trucking Association, for example, has already endorsed the future of self-driving trucks and has framed it as beneficial for truck drivers.

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While industry experts warn that driverless trucks are not going to replace drivers overnight, many drivers are still skeptical. For example, UK driver Craig Hoodless says that human drivers will always be needed on the road. Ultimately, the answer to the question, “Will driverless trucks replace drivers?” will depend on how quickly fleet automation progresses.

TuSimple, a US company focused on self-driving trucks, has stated that its autonomous trucks will reach Level 4 autonomy by 2024. Autonomy levels refer to the level of automation and human interaction. Level 4 autonomy refers to ‘high automation’. Ultimately, driverless trucks will operate without the need for human drivers. The company is already conducting tests in Arizona and New Mexico. Another company, Scania, is also conducting driverless motorway traffic tests.

Who is Making Driverless Trucks?

While self-driving cars have become the talk of the tech world, driverless trucks are not quite as glamorous. The potential to save lives and cut down on accidents is just as great. Many companies are working to develop self-driving trucks, from decades-old automakers to new startup companies. Ultimately, these trucks will eliminate the need for drivers and help keep costs down.

One company developing self-driving trucks is TuSimple. Founded in 2015 by Xiaodi Hou, the company has been developing its proprietary automated vehicle guidance system and manufacturing purpose-built autonomous trucks with OEMs. TuSimple’s self-driving trucks have already successfully completed long haul trips, using Ryder truck depots as terminals. As of December, the company has a total order for 6,875 autonomous trucks.

Another company is Einride. The startup has been developing cab-less trucks and has been using NVIDIA DRIVE’s compute platform to develop platooning pilots. The company is working to develop a complete fleet of driverless trucks that will operate on highways and backroads.

Learn More Here:

1.) History of Trucks

2.) Trucks – Wikipedia

3.) Best Trucks