Self driving trucks

Those of u guys who think self-driving vehicles are many years away, just watch this video. This car is handling heavy traffic, lane changing, stops, etc just as good as a human. This is right now, in 2019:

And the the technology will only get better. There is literally a TON of wall street money and silicon valley tech being poured into self driving vehicles and fleets.

In 5-10 years, dedicated fleets like Wal-Mart private fleet drivers will mostly be gone. Most USPS, UPS/FedEx, LTL linehaul, Amazon, etc anyone doing point-to-point terminal-to-terminal dedicated routes, etc will have to find another job. Alot of irregular-route OTR will still be here but the runs will be much shorter regional work with heavy multi-stops.

 

We live in a capitalist society. In brief, if i find a $100 dollar bill, that doesnt mean i will sell it to you for $5 dollars.

This tech that can save 100's of thousands of dollars... will not be sold for 25k.

If a driver and all associated expenses equal 500k (round figures) they the owners of the technology wont let it go for less than 400k at least. Not unless there is some serious competition from another system. Whomever wins that first fully autonomous patent will make all they can.

As for shorter runs... they are here now. I make the same sleeping in my bed as i do my truck.

When they have a route that only a human can drive... i might be worth even more... or possibly much less? Nobody knows for sure.

But i can bet that it will be a game of attrition and all the guys with sketchy histories will go first.

Long work history, clean record, i will turn off the lights when i leave.

And i have a hint at the autonomous truck state of readiness.

They dont have an autonomous yard dog that can simply shag trailers...

Why not? If they can run down a freeway at speed in all weather... they cant navigate a known space at a fortune 500 company lot?

Yeah... it doesnt add up... does it.

My opinion... this is a huge pyramid, rockstar, cash grab from investors in something that doesnt technically exist.

My 2019 subaru has lane keeping, traffic following, start/stop, e braking, eyesite vision and radar.

It will self drive twice, tells you to put your hand back on the wheel... once you touch it, it will self correct 2 more times and repeat...

I asked why it just doesnt work continuously and the dealer was very forward... it works... we could make it work... but we dont want the liability.

Musk is a gambler. He might be ok... but so far he hasnt been able to turn a profit. He is bilking investors, lining his pockets, and everytime another car crashes he is sued and settles to avoid convictions.

We build cars... we will be here for years to come... and not by risking our customers lives and our futures.

I like scott.

 

@im6under true the main issue right now is liability, but looking at california with the DPF and other regulations it’s not hard to imagine they i act a law that says autamed vehicles should be considered the same as a human driver, there for the liability being on the vehicle itsel rather then the company.


Basically a FEIN number type where each vehicle is different yet the same.

 

5 to 10 Years? I doubt the technology will be in place and perfected to the level where it's safe by then.

Job losses like you're predicting, and in the time frame you've given, simply won't happen.

 

Even if it is safe, I cant see the public trusting it enough to not at least have a driver for another 30 or so years. They may be a glorified steering wheel holder making the same pay as a drive thru captain at McDonald's, but it'll be there.

 

Why haven't they automated dispatchers out of a job yet? That is far easier & safer than replacing drivers with an algorithm.

 

Amazon did.

 

In california and the rest of america, if you own a dog (autonomous), and it bites somebody or even cause an accident (runs out in front of a car where it shouldnt be) the owner is held responsible (trucking company or manufacturer).

Guns and cars are not autonomous which provides a shield legally.

 

In California if your illegal you don’t need papers or be held accountable for your actions.

Believe me when I say this, California is happening because to them it’s a new avenue to tax things.


Look at what happened to weed, no tax on medical needs but legalize it and tax it to high heaven.

Look at gasoline. They pushed for super effiecient cars and gas usage dropped, what did they do? tax electric vehicles and also want to implement a tax on miles on top of gas tax.

California will be the first in line to get these trucks for tax reasons.


They already know company drivers don’t make squat to get taxed.

But autonomous vehicles all can be taxed at same rate. I’m thinking 10k per rig per year.




They are slowly working on it.


Autonomous Light-Duty Motor Trucks (Delivery Vehicles)
On April 12, 2019, the DMV published proposed autonomous vehicle regulations that allow the testing and deployment of autonomous motor trucks (delivery vehicles) weighing less than 10,001 pounds on California’s public roads. The release of these regulations marks the start of a 45-day public comment period, which ends May 27, 2019. Written comments may be submitted to [email protected] during the 45-day period. The DMV’s regulations continue to exclude the autonomous testing or deployment of vehicles weighing more than 10,001 pounds.

 

Hating california just a bit arent we?

And grabbing for straws and
ignoring logic.