Peterbilt prototype commissioned by WalMart

Does anyone know if WalMart drivers might be driving these for real someday? I mean, wow...

 

If there is a large company that can afford to do it, it's Walmart. Looks stupid to me. Here's the way I see it. The fancier your equipment, the more expensive it is to fix when it breaks.

unloader

 

I don't know but I'd love it if the lady in the video rode me like a pony.

 

Also keep in mind that all the extra money they are spending on trucks instead of drivers, just my $0.02

 

From what I remember about the video, all the improvements are intended to save them money. (Big shock.) Anyone actually watch it? I was ready for a wide range of opinions, but come on...

Micro-turbine is spinning on air bearings, so NO OIL to change. Not interesting?

Carbon-fiber trailer sides out of only ONE panel? Weight savings of about 4,000 pounds off the old trailers? Sure, they can cram more freight in there. Is that good or bad?

Engines are not running on diesel? No after treatments or diesel emissions issues? Can run on natural gas or other fuels? How does this impact engine power? Fuel stops?

Driver sits in the center of the console (no opinion about that?)?

No radiators at all because turbine is air cooled (no coolant hose leaks)?

Is not having coolant and oil in your engine going to make things worse or better? Less hoses to blow out and catch on ####? No leaks? No radiator to plug up or worry about? I believe everyone's entitled to their opinion but I don't know if any one actually watched it besides Truckduo. Oh well. I guess hope for discussion was too ambitious. I don't even know if I think it's good to have the driver in the center -- where does the dog sit?

 

Let's talk about that sexy lady from Walmart in that video.

Mmmmmmm tasty

 

Old thread, but there is some interesting tech going on there. I'm curious about longevity myself. And hp/tq ratings

 

Knowing Wal-Mart they will have Peterbilt build the prototype and then have some Asian company build the fleet. Overall I see problems with the truck.

 

This design was copied from a show that aired many decades ago...

 

I would give it a shot. Sitting in the center would seem to me would cut right side blind spot down. Also, the turbine power has me curious. The major question i have though, is where are they going to fuel them? Next question, who is going to work on it if it breaks down in bfe? Joe Greasemonky from podunk, ar sure isn't.