Following last week’s announcement that Freightliner created the first autonomous truck licensed to drive itself on highways in the United States, there has been a flurry of media coverage as fleets, drivers, and the general public hunger for more information. Here’s an in-depth look as to how the system works, and what it could mean for commercial truck drivers.
The Inspiration, created by Daimler Trucks North America, is autonomous level 3. This means that the truck is capable of driving for some, but not all points in a trip and that a certified driver must be behind the wheel at all times.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks vehicle autonomy in five levels:
No-Automation (Level 0): The driver is in complete and sole control of the primary vehicle controls – brake, steering, throttle, and motive power – at all times.
Function-specific Automation (Level 1): Automation at this level involves one or more specific control functions. Examples include electronic stability control or pre-charged brakes, where the vehicle automatically assists with braking to enable the driver to regain control of the vehicle or stop faster than possible by acting alone.
Combined Function Automation (Level 2): This level involves automation of at least two primary control functions designed to work in unison to relieve the driver of control of those functions. An example of combined functions enabling a Level 2 system is adaptive cruise control in combination with lane centering.
Limited Self-Driving Automation (Level 3): Vehicles at this level of automation enable the driver to cede full control of all safety-critical functions under certain traffic or environmental conditions and in those conditions to rely heavily on the vehicle to monitor for changes in those conditions requiring transition back to driver control. The driver is expected to be available for occasional control, but with sufficiently comfortable transition time. The Google car is an example of limited self-driving automation.
Full Self-Driving Automation (Level 4): The vehicle is designed to perform all safety-critical driving functions and monitor roadway conditions for an entire trip. Such a design anticipates that the driver will provide destination or navigation input, but is not expected to be available for control at any time during the trip. This includes both occupied and unoccupied vehicles.
In the case of the Inspiration, the truck can be in auto-pilot mode only on the highway, only during the day time, and only in good weather.
While the autonomous driving feature (known as “Highway Pilot”) is engaged, the Inspiration uses radar and cameras that can detect traffic, obstacles in the road, and “see” the lines on the roadway. If there is poor visibility, or if for example the lines on the road are covered with snow, the Highway Pilot feature may not be used.
The limitations aren’t just rules that Freightliner trusts drivers to abide by, the truck actually knows when Highway Pilot should be available and won’t let it engage if the truck isn’t on a highway. To give control over to the truck, the driver just has to hit a button on the steering wheel, similar to engaging cruise control.
Technical aspects aside, many drivers are wondering what they will and won’t be doing when the vehicle is driving itself. There will almost certainly be some more government regulations piled on once autonomous trucks are more commonplace, but until then, it’s mostly the manufacturers dictating the rules.
First and foremost, a licensed driver must be in the driver’s seat at all times. Drivers must be able to take control of the vehicle should an emergency situation arise. All rules that drivers of non-autonomous truck have to obey also apply to drivers of autonomous trucks. This means that drivers must be awake, sober, within their allowable hours of service, etc. Interestingly, drivers may not text and drive where there are laws against it, but the Inspiration allows for drivers to work on tablets or computers.
In fact, that’s one of the selling points that Freightliner expects will make the truck more desirable for fleets – because drivers aren’t required to pay attention to the road while Highway Pilot is active, drivers will be free to do other work. This could mean route planning, paper work, checking load boards, or anything else that is usually done by office personnel.
Many drivers are concerned that they will not be needed when trucks eventually have the capabilities to reach autonomy level 4 (designed to perform all functions from start to finish without anyone even in the vehicle). But others ask who will perform pre-trip inspections, loading and unloading (for those drivers who do that), taking care of the vehicle between maintenance checks, and all of the other non-driving tasks that drivers are responsible for.
It’s anyone’s guess how fast autonomous technology is going to progress, but drivers do far more than just hold the steering wheel, and until there’s a system that takes care of absolutely everything drivers do, fleets will still need truckers.
A reporter for Overdrive Magazine rode along with a Freightliner representative to see the Inspiration in action. You can see the video below.
Next Story: HOS Rules One Step Closer To Being Gone For Good
Source: fleetowner, overdrive, overdrive, nhtsa, thetruckersreport
rufus says
Humans are the important part of our civilization. Why are we so determined to remove them from all aspects of life?
Dan Thomas says
Only humans think that humans are important. Evolution does not need to be biological. From here on, automation will be eliminating jobs, including designing, constructing and maintaining automated equipment, faster than jobs will be created. Most of humanity will be on food stamps and have no important functions.
tom says
I agree with you 10000000%
Lee says
Dan, humans are important! Do robots have ethics, morality, compassion, sympathy?
I’m sorry that you see robotics and AI as some great new holy grail.
Taking orders from some machine without any of the characteristics that makes us human is asking for a rapid decline in humanity.
This isn’t Star Trek utopian society. This is reality.
I’m not willing to allow autonomous creations to have that kind of authority over me.
Tony says
Because they are expensive.
Atashouldfacereality says
This spells disaster in a lot of ways!! Not only does a computer not feel or (sense) things that a driver can, but also taking the human element out of the drivers seat is dangerous to the motoring public on multiple facets!! Four wheelers these days cut across three to four lanes at once! Will the truck (sense) that as a seasoned driver does? Lines in construction zones, there are sometimes multiple lines on the road to show new and old markings, can this vehicle sense which to follow? How long before one of these trucks computers goes haywire I.e. Bad sensor and takes out a bus full of kids or a car or any other vehicle out there? How easy would it be for a terroristic minded hacker to breach an automated trucks computer system and (hijack) the vehicle to use as a weapon against any given target?? I bet there are sick minded individuals out there licking their chops right now at such a foolish invention!!! If it doesn’t have a ‘human’ in full control at all times, it shouldn’t be on the highway!!! Let the nations professional ‘drivers’ do what we do best and leave the computers in the classrooms and office buildings!!!
Dan Thomas says
Google’s latest autonomous cars do not even have a steering wheel, brake or gas pedal. They are driving all over the USA now. Here is a good opportunity to compete with Uber which has to pay drivers.
Bryan says
That pretty much sums it up.
tom says
This is a insult to me, as a driver that’s been out here for yrs. All the blood sweat and tears put into this the losing of friends, the ups and downs. An now this, I hope and pray this doesn’t work. An if we agree to this fellow drivers, its over for us one day…. Just like e logs we agreeded and were compliant and look at us now.
Michael says
I can see the headline now: IRRESPONSIBLE TRUCK DRIVER KILLS UNFORTUNATE CITIZEN. Jimmy Wilson, 46, of Walla Walla, WA struck and killed Angel Christchild, 23, of Eau Claire, WI. Wilson was in the process of searching load boards on his tablet from behind the wheel of his semi when the truck encountered fresh pavement that had not yet been lined. An alert and responsible driver is required to be in the seat and available at all times, and when the truck signaled to Mr. Wilson that he needed to take over driving manually, this reckless and irresponsible driver was unable to instantaneously shift his focus from his load board and assume his duties as a driver, resulting in the death by decapitation of the unfortunate Mrs. Christchild. Christchild is survived by 27 great grandchildren, 18 grandchildren, nine children, and leaves behind an orphanage, and an animal rescue shelter. Mr. Wilson is being held without bond, and the District Attorney is seeking the death penalty as punishment for his gross criminal negligence.
jesse says
Lmbo you hit it on the head thts exactly how those stories read though lol
Dave Stout says
Computer systems make jobs easier and faster, which is good and bad. The systems create high paying jobs for programmers and techs but those are few compared to all the jobs computer systems take away. Good examples are postal jobs, people pay bills electronically which has taken postal worker’s jobs. People buy lots of items off the Internet which is causing the brick and motar stores and employees and construction jobs. By far computers have made life easier, but I’m a little afraid that one day a lot of people will be out of work because of this technology.
Tony says
Hardware and software are only as good as the amount of money you put into them. Freightliner tends to build cheaply and I doubt the software is top of the line either, it’ll take one accident caused by a hardware failure or an inattentive driver or a combination of the two and the ambulance chasers will have a field day! Best to start bugging the hell out of your politicians now to stop this from being allowed on your roads.
Gordon A says
Technology does have a place in our lives. I think that for now it is too much tech and not enough responsibility. Hard work for the most part is past tense now. Personal pride is disappearing and the I don’t care attitude is fast taking over as our youth somehow miss the maturing stage. Technology is a good thing most of the time but lets face it, What happens if the power source fails in the auto truck? Does is sound an alarm then wait for the driver or does is just hit the brakes with the alarm? Can today’s youth with no idea of what responsibility is, Personal pride not taught in the home, and absolutely no concept of a work ethic going to handle this in 20 or less years? When you look around and see how trucking, especially drivers has evolved to it’s present stage and the short time it took to get here. , Your guess is as good as mine. I am sure that the auto truck has a place in society and the transportation industry at some point.. I am sure we will see it on the roads soon. It there is no one to punish and blame if there is a serious accident. The lawyers will slowly go broke, They will be dreaming up new rules, new laws, new ways to blame someone,or something to make huge amounts of money in court.
FMCSA will have to lay off hundreds of office employees, thousands of inspectors as the truck does not accept citations as it has no means of saying thanks and sticks it in a shirt pocket.
It will always be in perfect mechanical condition. Then again the manufacturer of these trucks are wealthy so who gets a ticket then? Is it the carrier and manufacturers? The driver has no responsibility if by then there is one in the cab. . Then the lawyers are happy as a clam..
Just a thought . A near by lightening strike is in reality a EMP and that can reduce the electrical components to rubbish. What then? Will it simply fall into mechanical mode? Will it shut down where it is and block the road? I wonder how much thought has gone into that possibility?
Road professor says
I bet you any money that NO thought has gone into any of that. Those things usually get thought about after a major disaster. Just look at most recent airliner crashes.
Michelle says
Sober, awake and alert? After I complete my 15 minutes of paperwork-loadboard checking-route planning how awake and alert am I supposed to stay as I sit in my sest with nothing to occupy my mind for another 7 1/2 til my break? After being bounced uncontrollably for hours on bad road, with nothing to think about, how alert am I going to feel 13 hrs later when I’m following that school bus? They complain about a driver shortage…how about giving us more respect so that people want this career, instead of less?
Garry says
“Drivers must be able to take control of the vehicle should an emergency situation arise.”
MEANING: When the most advanced electronic control gets in a situation it can’t handle, a human driver will be required to take the blame. That driver will have to instantly divert his attention from meeting his widget assembly quota, and attempt to correct a probably hopeless situation for which he is likely to be criminally charged.
Drivers should be rejoicing about this?
Daimler: America Doesn’t Need Your Dam Trucks.
Alan says
Only positive I possibly see would be elimination of douchebag college educated dispatchers with no real world or trucking experience, and have never left the county they were born in. At least the driver could do his own load planning. .02$
Darren Ammons says
Yeah except those same college educated douchebags will get behind the wheel, spend 15 minutes planning their load then the rest of the day playing on line solitair!
Jim says
I want to know if the peopl making this truck is going to buy my food and pay my bills as long as I live now that I’m out of a job.
beepbeep says
If a new crop of drivers comes up driving autonomous vehicles, they are not going to have much actual emergency-handling driving skills. How could anyone expect them to suddenly know what to do considering they’ll have no experience?
Perhaps the new drivers can drive a simulated truck while they are sitting in their truck with nothing to do! haha.
The Real Deal West Memphis says
“Sorry, Dave. I can’t do that…”
Tim says
People sure get used to things being a certain way and when they change they get all upset. I’ve never been one of those people.
Tim says
Well I take that back, I do like SOME things to not go away…but when it comes to my job security being more important than improvements in technology, no, I don’t get confused about which is the more important of the two.
Schlottmann says
So you have no problem giving up your job so a machine can do it? Do you think they’re going to let these expensive robots be driven by the drivers they’re trying to get rid of? Technology is supposed to help, not replace the need for people.
Chuck says
I can’t believe you on that one. I’m calling BS.
Larry says
Autonomous level 3 sounds dangerous. I reminds me of running a cnc machine. CNC is a computer controlled lathe and mill and other types of machines. IF you are running it in full alert with eyes on the tools and listening for strange sounds as it is running while hands are on the controls, there is a good chance you won’t crash the machine if something were to happen. IF you stand back and rely on sounds and occasionally only look and see where the tool is at, very good chance you are going to crash tool into object if something were to change, like a drill braking, insert/tool blows out on operator or machine malfunction.
Same thing here. IF something were to happen that requires your attention, How fast are you going to be able to access the situation and react before it is too late? Especially if you got your head in a computer or tablet.
Looks like we are entering a new generation of transportation, not only in trucking but cars also.
Level 3 sounds dangerous because your level of awareness isn’t going to be there.
Dave says
There are advantages to this larger companies need and want. Imagine if the truck is driving itself, it can operate at an optimized speed for on time delivery for as many hours as needed. No stopping for driver’s rest. An likely, no matter what fuel is used, the economy will improve. As well as a reduction in maintenance costs. No driver, so no payroll, health ins, retirement or HVAC. Here’s the part I like, we could loose most the driver managers. My brother and sister drivers, think about this. We’re talking mega-bucks cost savings here!!
Dan Thomas says
It can do better than that. The eventual plan is to run groups of trucks with a 25 foot gap between them to reduce wind resistance. All the trucks in the group will have to communicate so that all will apply breaks within 1/1000 of a second of each other and accelerate at exactly the same rate to maintain an exact gap. Probably, there will only be a driver in the first truck like on trains now. There is only 1 engineer for a train that might have 5 or 6 locomotives. and 100 cars.
nick says
Hopefully one day when the megas are relying on this technolgy the most maybe ten yrs from now. Someone hacks into their systems so the trucks won’t move at all . Just imagine a week with no Swift ,Prime or England on the roads would do for the rates. Maybe the hacker could run there trucks on 1000 mile loops never making delivery just burning fuel. On a more serious note this is bad for people in every way its only good for wall street. Unfortunetly this is the way or economy is going make your money investing not working.
Robert says
Before anyone gets too off base thinking that their Point to Point or Long Haul Days are soon to be over by Autonomous Vehicles,just settle down and relax a while.
You folks are in much the same position as the drovers of old who had the responsibilities of not only Holding the teams of Horses Rains ,but Keeping them Sheltered and in good health!
By the time that Every Vehicle is compatible with all the others on the Road Each and everyone of You will be retired and enjoying a game of Golf or Eucre somewhere.
Sure there will be some of these computer controlled autonomous vehicles scooting along the Super Highways and Industrial Wharehouse areas ,but the people in control of those vehicles will only be those folks who can adapt to operating them safely!
It’s going to be a long time before any of this becomes commonplace, it will probably never happen in most parts of the World.
Embracing new technology is always easy for some and more difficult for others!
Remember Power Steering,Automatic Transmissions,cruise Controls, All were met with resistance at first ,but all are commonplace today!
JJ says
Have you noticed they still want to screw the driver over by having a driver sorta watch over things for this catastrophic machine….the hell with them, put a robot in there to watch over this so called “truck”…I call it a when the computer goes bonkers…lets see how many people it can kill…
and yes thats how that story will read..Michael…you hit the nail on the head
Dan Thomas says
That is what pilots do now. They are only in control during takeoff and landing. That is how 2 pilots flew 30 minutes beyond their destination while they were trying to plan their schedules for the coming week.
Darren says
It’s really sad if you ask me. I have spent the last 25yrs as a trucker, not a “truck driver” some of you will know what that means. But what it boils down to is 25yrs of tough learning and hard earned knowledge and experience driving these Hwy’s and roads all seasons and hrs. Taking pride in what I do and constantly trying to do it even better! It’s not just a job but a way of life! Bad enough when you run across these truck drivers,where they are self absorbed and narscisstic, not knowing really how to drive nor even caring, it’s just a job they have to do. I mean why do you think fleets are going to auto shift? These so called drivers aren’t able to shift on their own. But hey now we can share the roads with truck baby sitters who have no experience while their 40 ton baby drives down the road annalyzing and computing conditions with no concern! “Sarah Connor you are terminated”
troy says
Real Truck Drivers vs Steering wheel holders.. Wal mart driver with years of experience and a swift driver just out of school delivering to the same store. … actually swift driver delivers to more difficult stores because walmart driver whines to dispatch to get the easy in easy out stores.. Ha ha..I only met one Real truck driver that impressed me and he was 70 years old about 5 foot 6 and an alaskan driver.
Hamburger71 says
I won’t “drive” one.
Sara says
I am willing to bet that they will still need truck drivers in the autonmous trucks. However, the drivers pay will decrease. It will become a minimum wage job. Maybe I’m wrong. I just don’t see how replacing trucks with the autonmous trucks will help the environment. Seems like a new way to help big companies and screw the little guys. We can barely afford and keep up with policy changes for idling. Let alone an autonmous truck. As it is now working on the newer trucks takes longer and is more expensive. Can you imagine the hassle with these trucks.