People have been talking about self-driving vehicles for years as companies like Google, Uber, and even Ford and Mercedes-Benz develop the futuristic driving technology.
But when the first self-driving truck actually took to a Colorado last week, the future arrived like the resounding blast of an air horn.
On Oct. 25, a driverless truck owned by Otto, the self-driving trucking development company owned by the ride-sharing business Uber, delivered a truckload of Budweiser from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, a distance of about 120 miles.
While there was a truck driver on board, he sat in the back of the cab while the truck’s automated GPS, radar, and computer controls took care of the driving. The trained driver did not have to take over control of the vehicle at any time during the two-hour trip.
The Beginning of the End for Truck Drivers?
The arrival of self-driving trucks took many people by surprise. While buzz about the technology has been in the zeitgeist for the past few years, the actual use of self-driving vehicles was something that seemed more like science fiction than reality.
Yet Lior Ron, co-founder of Otto, said he expects self-driving trucks to be hauling products on the nation’s interstates within the next few years. When they do, it will create safer roads and more efficient supply chain.
“The incredible success of this pilot shipment is an example of what is possible when you deploy self-driving technology,” Ron said in a news release. “it also showcases the importance of collaboration with forward-looking states like Colorado and innovative companies like Anheuser-Busch.”
“By embracing this technology, both organizations are actively contributing to the creation of a safer and more efficient transportation network,” Ron said. “We are excited to have reached this milestone together and look forward to further rolling out our technology on the nation’s highways.”
Benefits of Robots Driving Trucks
Otto, Uber and other companies that have invested heavily in robotic driving technology may have an uphill battle in convincing people of the safety and wisdom of turning over the driving to a computer program. And truck drivers are a whole different story.
But the companies did their best to put a positive spin on the event, citing multiple ways in which having robots driving trucks is actually a good idea:
- Reducing the number of fatalities on our roads. Nearly half of fatalities happen on interstates, and 94% of accidents are caused by human error.
- Enabling fuel-efficient driving and therefore reducing emissions from freight trucks, which are currently responsible for 28% of all road vehicle CO2 emissions.
- Enhancing truck utilization and providing a sustainable solution for the truck driver shortage that continues to put pressure on drivers to work long hours at the risk of safe driving.
All of which are sound arguments in support of self-driving trucks. But the decision people ultimately are going to have to make is how much control are they willing to turn over to technology in exchange for convenience.