The Future Of Autonomous Trucking

We are entering a new era. Autonomation is something that is going to happen at an accelerating pace in the next couple decades.

At present, the talking point is that we have a worker shortage. This is causing companies to turn to automation as a solution. The situation due to the lockdowns over COVID seemed only to push this into overdrive.

One of the areas we are seeing a lot of research is with trucking. The industry is suffering from a lack of drivers as the Boomers get older. Millennials are not entering the industry at the same frequency as previous generations.

Automation is the answer and in this article we will cover how it is going to be undertaken.

Short Spurts

We are not going to see the technology replace all drivers instantly. Like most things, it is evolutionary in nature. At the same time, regulation needs to be dealt with slowing the process.

That said, there are aspects which are about to go live. We should not overlook how monumental this is. What is happening is only the beginning.

The easiest place to start to automate the trucking industry is in short-spurt routes. These are one that are done each night, hence repetitive in nature. One of the biggest advantages of automation is that it can handle repetitive tasks very well. That is the idea behind this first iteration of innovation.

Companies like Budweiser or Walmart regularly run trucks from main locations to distribution centers. Obviously, the routes are always the same. By running multiple trucks throughout the night we see the cargo arrives where it needs to.

With this technology, the idea is to caravan the trucks. This allows for one truck to have 8 or 10 following behind. The convoy simply follows the same path back and forth, night after night.

For now, we can see how the technology has time to improve. By focusing upon the repetitive routes, the software will be able to evolve as more areas are added. At the same time, running at night means less traffic. They are also focusing upon areas where the weather is warmer, avoiding snow and ice, at least in the beginning.

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Arizona

Autonomous trucking company TuSimple just ran a truck over an 80 mile route without any human intervention.

A semitruck completed an 80-mile route in Arizona with no human on board and no human intervention during the trip using technology developed by TuSimple, the company said Wednesday.

The trip was a success, showing how close we are to seeing this technology implemented. It is likely this expands in the next year or two, resulting in it becoming a regularity in some states.

A lead vehicle scouted the route for unexpected obstacles about five miles ahead of the autonomous semi, and a trailing vehicle following about one-half mile behind the truck was prepared to intervene if necessary, along with several unmarked police vehicles. TuSimple said the semi successfully navigated highway lane changes, traffic signals, on-ramps and off-ramps while “naturally interacting with other motorists.”

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It obviously is more difficult to navigate a semi through city streets and in heavy traffic. Hence why many in the industry feel that long-haul trucking is going to be the first aspect to get converted. When trucks are following a similar path, even if it is across multiple states, along major highways, the technology can easily adapt to that.

The question is how well it will do interacting with other motorists, many whom do unpredictable things. That is what the regulators are also looking at.

For now, the technology is excelling to the point where autonomous trucking is possible, even if limited in scope.

This will likely change rapidly. Software systems of this nature have the ability to advance quickly. As more of these runs take place, the system ingests even more data. This is processed and used to train the software even further.

Obviously, this is still a long way from AGI or anything like that. Nevertheless, it is likely a solution we will see with regularity by the middle of this decade. Many states are likely to pass legislation that allows for this type of set up.

It is fascinating how fast things are changing.

What are your thoughts? Do you see this as a possible solution to the driver issues we are facing in the trucking industry?


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18 comments
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Vreat inovations voss and do keep up with the good work and thanks for sharing

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Yes, I believe this is a potential solution for the driver issues. It's going to be a while before the technology is ready for a complete roll-out but when it is, it's not going to be possible to resist it.

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I really don't know what to think. I find it scary to be on the roads with big trucks so don't know how I would feel about driverless trucks.

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People are on planes that are on autopilot most of the time.

So it is really nothing new. And how people drive is not exactly setting a high bar.

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That is so true, I feel pretty good about the trucks not so much about the other drivers. Seems that other drivers tend to want to crowd the big rigs or try to move around the big trucks and then slow down. When my son and I are on the road traveling I usually caution him to give them space. As we have more time than they do.

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I think it's a possible solution but I think the current issue is more with the supply chain is the transportation of goods off airplanes/ships right now. However I wonder what will happen to the people who do trucking for a living. I guess they will have to move on to a different job.

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Considering there is a shortage of truckers, we are likely to see those working not affected for a while. There will come a time, however, where the technology does advance so that people who are employed will be put out to pasture.

It just will not happen instantly.

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it's true that autonomous trucking or automobiles are the future but I don't see it being very practical in other underdeveloped countries where road is not good and have heavy traffic like India I vote for autonomous drones

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At this point, there is no doubt it will apply to roads that are well maintained. The technology cannot deal with anything outside of that.

Of course, it might never since how does software get a truck through a muddy road?

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agree we still need to see improvement in this until then let humans drive trucks on ice and in mud

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We took a tour of the gigantic Audi plant when I lived in Germany, and I coild see a use case for vechicles like these. Not only are they expereincing a trucker shortage, but a general auto industry worker shoratge as well. With an average age of 43 (and rising) in the auto industry, this innovation can't happen soon enough.

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It is going to be very freaky seeing this at first as this cannot afford to have any mishaps. Great for resolving the driver issues and great for anyone considering getting involved in logistics as these should run 24/7.

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Wow.

This is scary in a way and amazing in a way.

Scary to think these of these huge car crushers being piloted by a machine. Terminator flashbacks now. 😂
But on the other hand I definitely admire the ingenuity of designing this and bringing it to the market! Admirable science and technology skills.

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Awesome news about 80 miles of driving without human intervention! Progress cannot be stopped.
I wish you health and all the best in 2022!

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Speaking of automation, speaking from the retail industry. As a Front-End Team Leader at Walmart, we received a ton of applications. The problem was the asking starting wage. People were asking for $20 to $25 per hour to run a register.

From Walmarts point of view, it is easier to use automated cash registers because only 2 Customer Service Managers are required to oversee 12 Self Checkout Registers. So they will receive a $20 an hour wage but each will be overseeing 6 self check out registers.

Studies can point to a decrease in the population as a need for automation but it may well be the need not to increase their bottom line. In the 80s and 90s factories closed up all over the U.S. in favor of overseas manufacturing workforce. They made the same products much cheaper.

Don't misunderstand me I am not disagreeing with you I am just adding that companies like Walmart are just trying to save money on high entry-level wages. I am not trying to vilify Walmart either it is just working for them I had an interesting view from the inside, that I never had with any other big company.

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