German automotive company Daimler got permission to publicly test self-driving trucks on Oregon and Nevada highways. These autonomous trucks are coming to a highway near you. (Photo from Daimler)
It takes a lot of patience, endurance, and skill to be a long-haul truck driver. But soon all of that may not be needed if autonomous trucks become a reality. Recently, German automotive company Daimler revealed plans to drive digitally connected trucks on public highways in Oregon and Nevada. This practice, known as platooning, groups trucks enable with smart technology and advanced driving systems together so they can communicate with one another. This ensures to maximize efficiency and is supposed to be safer behind the wheel.
Daimler Trucks North American gained permission to run public platooning tests after a successful trial in Madras, Oregon. Tests with fleet customers are scheduled to begin next year. So how do they plan to connect the trucks? They intend to combine connectivity tech with automated driving tech. The system uses a WiFi-based truck to truck communication that interacts with a driver assistance system. This comes equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane departure, and active break assistance. Some of the benefits, aside from increased efficiency, includes fuel savings since it lowers the drag and improves the safety on breaking distances.
The company previously experimented with the technology in 2016 during a Europe spanning challenge to prove autonomous trucks were capable of driving across an entire continent. It sounds like the company is looking to replace human truck drivers, but they assure this isn’t the case. In a press release, President, and CEO of Daimler trucks Roger Nielsen said the technology is meant to help drivers, not replace them. They place a big focus on safety saying that the automated trucks react to traffic in three-tenths of a second compared to more than one it takes a human.
Daimler isn’t the only automotive company with platooning on their radar. Earlier this year Toyota and Volkswagen started a three-truck convoy test. And, if you couldn’t guess, Tesla is investigating the technology. Back in August, it was revealed that Elon Musk is working on a prototype for a self-driving, electric semi-truck that would move in platoons. Since Tesla wants to create a fully autonomous car, it’s no surprise they want to bring this technology to semi-trucks.
While the technology sounds interesting, do we really need self-driving trucks? Yes, they’re supposed to be safer, but many are still not convinced that they can perform better than a human behind the wheel. And with the recent car accidents involving self-driving cars from Uber and Tesla, it’ll be a while before people are fully on board with autonomous vehicles.
I fear there will be many accidents before these self-driving trucks will be acceptable. Kind of scary.
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