The Future of Trucking

In a word, yes. Very real vulnerability, but not trivial to exploit. Imagine if all GM systems got a shut down command at the same time in order to divert law enforcement, for example.

 

Do you realize that only 50 years ago, in 1965:

1. We had yet to land on the moon.
2. Barely had color on this new-fangled gadget called a tell-a-vision.
3. Still had live operators making long-distance phone calls.
4. A slide rule was still standard for engineering calculations.
5. Nothing made in China was worth a nickel.

Now, 50 years later:

1. China makes everything but our nickels.
2. My new coffee maker has more computing power than Apollo 11 ever hoped to have.
3. Long-distance phone calls are irrelevant.
4. An i-Tell-a-vision in every pocket on the planet.
5. The moon is so last century; soon landing humans on Mars.

Do you really think it will take 50 years?

No way. Less than 20 is my bet, probably less than 5 years outside of the U.S. or on private property; they already have self-driving trucks in mines in Australia, it won't be long before they are here (probably once the current generation of trucks wears out).

 

G.Anthony, I would be worried about who is going to keep the pension and social security checks coming if the younger generation is automated out of a job. You may be retired all right, but if the younger generation is not working there won't be any money for your retirement.

 

Everything in the just about every vehicle made today has computer control over it. The steering is about the last hold out and in the self-parking cars even the steering is connected.

Making the vehicles self-driving makes them no more susceptible to hacking/hijacking than they already are and will continue to be.

 

Yes there will be money coming in. Those that wish to stand in the unemployment line, or duds as I'll call them, and those that seek employment in other fields. It will be the newer generations that would have to worry about SS and pensions, not me, or any one else retiring or retired now.

 

Ever hear of "fly by wire "? We have nothing to fear yet ,right now the only cars driving are those in perfect road conditions with the roads pre maped in the data base from that morning .

At the end of the day insurance is going to want someone guarding the freight and able to do on the road maitence etc . Expect to have to get some form of mechanic degreen and you'll be fine

 

The 'only' thing that will deter more technology-dependence, would be a natural or man-made disaster (nuclear weapon that knocks out all grids, circuit boards). Polar melting or an eruption at Yosemite.

Nothing can be ruled out IMO.

Usually, whatever we assume today, can be assumed wrong in time...

Think, 'peak oil.' And then it turns out true after all!!

 

Boeing is already working on the next generation airliner that will be fully automatic. However, it will still have a ####pit large enough to hold a pilot and a dog. The pilot will monitor systems and the dog is there to bite him if he tries to touch anything!!!

 

...and the dog will have a gun as a backup in case biting doesn't work.