Another new autonomous trucking company has arrived, but unlike many of its competitors who aim to replace drivers entirely, Starsky Robotics is looking to keep drivers behind the wheel. The only difference is that wheel will be at a desk, in an office, allowing the driver a more normal 9-to-5 lifestyle.
Founded in 2015, Starsky Robotics isn’t interested in pushing the limits of what’s possible using brand new and very expensive technology. Instead, they’re using tried and true processes in new ways.
According to Tech Crunch, Starsky doesn’t use expensive laser systems, opting instead for computer vision, radar, and software which is already “well understood.” They claim laser systems are unnecessary since Starsky only plans on using autonomous driving technology on highways. Once the truck hits that off ramp, a driver sitting at a desk will take over remotely.
The driver’s actions will be replicated in the truck using small robotic controls that physically perform actions such as pushing pedals, shifting gears, and turning the steering wheel. Because of the relatively low-tech solutions, Starsky claims that implementation of their systems will be less expensive than their competitors.
Another major difference is that carriers won’t need their own drivers to operate these trucks. Instead, trucks will be controlled by Starsky drivers. Starsky Robotics co-founder Stefan Seltz Axmacher claims that each driver will be able to monitor and control between 10 and 30 trucks at a time.
In order to qualify as a Starsky driver, Seltz Axmacher says you will need to have a CDL, at least five years of experience behind the wheel, and a perfect driving record.
Starsky also claims that it has already used its autonomous trucks to deliver commercial loads. One of those loads included a 140-mile trip which was driven autonomously for 120 miles.
Currently, there is still a safety driver sitting in the actual Starsky truck at all times, but the company hopes that by the end of the year, there won’t be anyone in the truck at all.
You can watch a video of Starksy’s truck in action below:
Source: techcrunch, fortune, starsky
Wonderkins says
Who is going to fuel the truck when they no longer need a driver?
And if this remote control is anything like the simulators that companies like swift have, they will have employees with constant motion sickness.
Being able to “feel” the truck is essential.
Tough cookie says
What happens in heavy fog? Heavy rains? What happens during malfunction? Or on ice? …. a 15 year can train to drive on a dry clear sunny day…. note ince he got to delivery a human opened the doors and backed it in the dock …… smmfh!!!
Tough cookie says
Who will dolly down the trailers? Hook&Unhook the lines? How till coupling take place? Will there be a need to fuel and use additives? What about changing construction zone patterns and sudden backups? What happens during on the road emergencies? Hmmm Empty semi trucks going down the highway carrying high dollar valuables????
what about hours of service? will the law change for the super trucker controlling up to 30 trucks from behind a desk? 10-30 trucks with 1 remote control can he see everything? If 1single driver cant see everything how will the one behind the desk see everything?
Will there be any humans on the road or will we all be banned from driving vehicles for this to take place????
Max says
you and I ‘feel’ the truck. The next generation will only need a joy stick. Face it…we’re the past.
Olivia Korringa says
How does it handle unusual circumstances, like a car cutting in front, or icy conditions?
Randi says
The writer must have been using “9 to 5 lifestyle” to mean a regular schedule because we all know trucks run 24/7.Sounds like the CDL driver’s lifestyle of the future will be akin to a call center employee. Large pods of desks with 1st, 2nd and 3rd shift employees and a floor manager. Unfortunately, this will produce a pay cut for one of the last industries where a person with a lack of formal education can make a living wage.
Charli says
I’m good with NO FEELS! I’ll drive it from my recliner, no need for an office, keep it simple!
Daniel Craig says
The founder of this company says each driver will operate from 10 to 30 trucks, but doesn’t say how. Even if one driver operates 10 trucks, that means they would only need one tenth of the drivers that are driving trucks today, unless they will be used to drive them locally to deliver and load trailers. The last company I worked for made us shag trailers, and only paid $20 to deliver or load a trailer. So, at best they want to turn driving a truck into another minimum wage job. In many situations, drivers end up working for minimum wage. We are able to make a living because we work all the time. But, when all the long highway mileage pay stops, it’s another McJob, and that’s all they really want. Eliminate people to pocket more money.
Trucka T says
Ok
I’m not afraid of the future, if I have to change my profession so be it. But really how much of a cut in pay will the driver have to swallow once autonomous is the”norm”? And how will companies transition drivers into this sudden plummet in pay? Just curious. I see all this autonomous propaganda and people being excited, but what about the driver who gets pushed out for technology to take over.
YoungGun says
After these vehicle cause enough damage and mayhem they will be scrapped. Stick to developing candy crush and gps app add ons and stay out of the transportation industry.
Mattt says
YoungGun, I tend to agree. There are too many variables on the highways, so much that can’t be predicted. Wrecks, check points, crazy drivers, sabotage, theft, weather conditions, mechanical failures, etc. I am sure the technology could be fine tuned pretty well, but in my opinion it’s not smart to have no one behind the wheel who can think and react, even on the monotonous “open road”. There’s a lot at stake on the highways.
Lisa Glavish says
These guys forget one thing – “a more normal 9 to 5” is the LAST thing most drivers want lol!
Barney says
True!
But they just can’t comprehend not everyone is lazy and soft sitting behind desks thinking up ways to make the working class obsolete.
This round of planned obsolescence/creative destruction WILL be different.
Too many people, not enough jobs already.
We shall see what happens.
Richard A. says
What’s going to happen when communication with the truck’s computer is lost? When the controls freeze and you have no way of inputting steering, braking, acceleration, etc.
These ‘visionary’ engineers are so eager to cash in on the revolutionary technology jackpot that they can’t see past the dollar signs and their own noses.
Driving truck by proxy. So glad I have all that experience playing truck driving simulations years ago. Lol
Less gvt says
Your brake locked up and caught on fire. Do they have a robotic extinguisher that can run put it out?
Anthony says
This new generation doesn’t really understand what trucking is about…Primarily it’s about freedom…Freedom to be your own boss, and not have someone watching over your shoulder constantly…To travel and see the country while being paid to do it…What’s going to happen when those computers are hacked, and trucks run over 4 wheelers??? Can’t blame driver fatigue!!! This is a nightmare that will reveal itself in the worst possible way!!!!
RaginBull69 says
They said drivers will be controlling behind a desk but we all know it will be dispatchers who will be doing that job!! And what happens when a steer tire blows out and the truck steers across lanes into oncoming traffic and kills someone…. who is gonna payout the millions of dollars to those family members?? The guy behind the desk or the company who put those trucks out there? I sure won’t be a part of that!!
Buckskin says
Do they have speed limiters an eld ,wonder if the joy stick has to take a 10 hr. brake ,wonder if they get a restart after 34 off these are serious things we need to no cause we need to be safe an compliant you no WTF
Phil says
Colorado I 70 WB dead of winter Colorado State Patrol says mandatory chain up. Both Axles. That will be some computer that does that.
TLZ says
If this autonomous driving catches on, the number of new drivers going into the industry is gonna plummet. Therefore, there will always be work for LOCAL drivers who got skillz to bump a dock #hometime #10-fow #cmon
Felix says
Great i can retire now and not worry about a thing. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. I can’t quite laughing
Ed says
Another story written by someone who knows nothing about trucking. And they just keep on cranking these stories out.
Flea says
If we wanted to be 9-5 cubicle rats sitting at a desk, we’d have applied for some HR position. These geniuses wanna help? Tell em they can come wash my truck. Got some chrome that needs polishing too.
Jon says
How many times has the Qualcomm or XM or your Phone lost its SIGNAL !
Remote Drones do not fly the Terrain where signal loss is possible and I can Not count how many times Construction Zones have Poorly marked lanes.
I like the Canadian method of using Orange Paint to mark construction zone lanes.
Jeff says
I need 2 worry guys. This idea or concept won’t happen. There are just to many variables as was aforementioned. Sleep tight and don’t loose any hope. This is all just preliminary and just some company wanting everyone to see what they have accomplished. This idea if if were to ever work is far off and you will be buried before anything like this could happen.
Infosaur says
So can I drive my Starky from a Hutch?
Lolololol
I actually wonder about lag time. How long does it take a signal to make a round trip from the truck’s camera, to the monitor at the control room and an input to return to the truck. Half a second maybe? What if something important happens in that second?