Self Driving Trucks are Coming

I’ve been trying to get ahold of Starsky Robotics or Tusimple to take this 6 stop load I have tomorrow. Which one of them has the “park in oncoming traffic and open doors then block both lanes backing off the street” button?

Also need a button to

1. Air up multiple flats
2. Tell when the ground is level so the doors will close without beating them with a hammer
3. Pull the rusted shut kingpin to slide the tandems.
4. Adjust the brakes
5. Swing super wide leaving stop 4 so the trailer doesn’t sit down on the drives and leave me stuck
6. Crawl underneath and tap on all elbows and leveling valve so the brakes will release.
I’m sure there’s more.

 

It's done already , we are not talking about future technology or development. Sure development will be ongoing but its ready for OTR on road.

 

So the result will be that docks will be held responsible to sort their issues out or pay a premium. Maintenance will have to be better on auxiliary equipment because there is no longer a driver.
I pretty see it first taking depot to depot on major freight lanes.
Truth is the technology is already there to achieve this.

 

Good point , as they can drive 24/7 they may be able to operate at very fuel efficient speeds and still cover the required miles.

 

Nope, not even close. And that’s from the mouths of the top developers who say it will never be ubiquitous. They have tempered the enthusiasm and hype because they know there are too many variables. I have done a lot of various types of trucking, and the “oh it will just fall on so and so’s shoulders” answer doesn’t cut it.

 

How is DOT going to pull them over for an inspection?

 

Standard DOT Issue AT-4.

 

Not sure of that but I need to qualify , the technology is there to put these trucks on specific routes with reference calibration points along the route.To get to the point of docking at un surveyed points which have not been designed with automated delivered in mind is where there are too many variables.Steering , avoiding other vehicles , driving already done better than most humans.

 

Once the tort lawyers get through with self driving trucks they won't exist anywhere but in private facilities.

 

You were picking up what I was putting down.