driverless trucks when?

Well Schneider's new tractors are equipped with progressive cruise control. It uses gps and radar to adjust the tractors speed for the terrain.

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There have been driverless trucks for many years....already on the road all across this great country. They are equipped with a steering wheel holder, not to be confused with a real driver.

 

The technology for automated train control is already available, and the NTSB continues to point out with almost every railroad accident report that it would have been prevented with ATC. But the railroads won't implement it due to cost. ATC won't replace a train crew, just reduce the opportunity for error.

I see liability as the biggest reason why there won't be driverless trucks any time soon.

 

Beat me to it....my thoughts exactly!

 

There are in fact engineer free locomotives in operations around the country. A big difference is trains are restricted to tracks and cant deviate from them.

 

I wasn't aware of this, outside of airport shuttles like Denver and DFW. I know of remotely operated locomotives as well. Can you cite some examples?

 

Driverless trucks are coming. But 5 years ain't gonna get it. My guess would be closer to at least 20 years and 40 wouldn't surprise me. And even after the technology is in place to allow the trucks to drive themselves, I suspect they won't actually be driverless for a long time. The driver will just become more of a 'systems manager' the same way airline pilots don't really hand fly the plane very much.

 

Windsmith, you are correct. I should have said there are remote operated locomotives which would not be the same as automated. My mistake.

 

When you see mine dump trucks with out drivers you will have at least 10 years.
They will start on main routes , then before they catch on all over the whole economy will collapse.
Just a guess.
By that time trucks will be battery powered anyway.