With autonomous vehicles as a popular topic of discussion among other breakthrough technologies, there are many pros and cons that both the general public and key players within the industry have realized with these vehicles. According to an article published in the New York Times last November, “Trucking is a $700 billion industry that touches every corner of the economy.” In an era of online shopping where speed and convenience have fueled the growth of online retailers, trucks that are able to navigate long stretches of high way efficiently without a driver is a remarkable technological advancement. If the self-driving trucks are operating alongside one another they also have the ability to platoon together, saving money on fuel and creating a safer highway for other drivers. MIT’s latest feature titled “10 Breakthrough Technologies 2017” explains in further detail the positive side to self-driving trucks. Not only would it potentially reduce the number of accidents often caused by driver fatigue, but truckers could use the time away from the wheel to catch up on paperwork, contact family and friends, and even learn new skills during their shifts all while getting paid. States where there are large populations of truck drivers like Ohio have already been steadfast in investing into testing autonomous trucks.

Still, the capability issues with trucks are questionable since they cannot swerve through heavy traffic or take sharp turns with heavy loads. Otto, a company that is assured they will release the trucks within the next 5 to 10 years will not do so until extensive safety tests are completed. A key feature on the trucks are that drivers are able to take over immediately by simply pressing a couple of red buttons, this feature to take over in driving was key for Jeff Runions, a test-driver for Starsky Robotics, a San Fransisco start up that completes their vehicle test drives by running freight along the coast of Florida. Safety advocates have also expressed concern over the operating conditions of the trucks since bad weather conditions and even structures such as overpasses on highways can confuse the sensors on trucks, making it so that drivers need to stay alert to take over. In an article published on wired.com January 24, 2018 it discusses the issues with car companies like Tesla shifting the wording on their safety features so that many drivers have been confusing “auto pilot” for a self-driving feature. Although, different car brands have made it so that the machine is able to stop at certain points they cannot navigate on their own creating a whole new dilemma that autonomous trucks are unlikely to be excluded from. Despite the controversy, there is no denying the notable efficiency of a truck that can operate on a super compact computer. In the coming years, we will have to see if this technological innovation makes it to the highways.

Sources:

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603493/10-breakthrough-technologies-2017-self-driving-trucks

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/business/self-driving-trucks.html

https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-autopilot-crash-dui/