Will automatic transmissions ever replace manual tranny's in the trucking industry?

There are driverless cars now that can drive on local streets and can negotiate intersections etc. And I have read about 1 or 2 states that have legalized driverless cars. Google has been testing driverless cars.

I think driverless trucks will definitely be used on interstate highways within 20 years. But drivers will still be needed on non interstate roads.

Automatic transmissions ? If they can consistently get better mpg than a manual.
I prefer a manual for dependability. Simpler. Less to go wrong. Easier to work on. And most of my miles don't involve much shifting.

Also. Manuals don't seem to keep idiots outta trucks.

 

Yeah, and those anti collision things are still junk. They are computers that only see black and white, so to speak. They can't tell what's going on farther ahead, or even if a vehicle is on an off ramp on the interstate. They are more dangerous than good in my opinion. I refuse to use the cruise control after a couple ghost reads jammed on my brakes. Probably will get better in the future, but for now, not for me.

 

Many bottom feeder companies already have driverless trucks plying the nations highways.

 

Technologically speaking we already have driverless shuttle trams and commuter trains. It is only time before fright trains are driverless.

 

There's and R&D process going on right now for pilotless passenger airlines, which came about due to the success of military drones.

 

Yep. They've already shown that they can recruit some fat slacker whose never done anything but play stupid video games, pay him less than minimum wage, and have him go from distribution center to distribution center. All you need is someone to monitor him at desk to tell him he can poot every so often. That's why they're putting cameras in your trucks.

"Driver number 0U812, you are squirming in your seat. Do you need to poot again? Well California law dictates that you can't blow more than once every 5 minutes. Wait 23 seconds, then release pressure."

 

Heres the deal....you will always have old school truckers that love manuals, and old auto did suck. Now days they are getting better and better. Quite frankly a computer always hits the shift points perfectly, shifts smoother, (untill it breaks) and will get better mpg then a sloppy shifter. The new detroit trans on a cascadia evolution uses hill data to adjust speed by 7 mph to maximize fuel efficiency on hills. They are getting to the point where they are more sensitive and better then a human. My next truck will have an auto in it.

Why do trucks have abs? Because a computer can manage pumping the brakes faster and more efficiently then a human. The trans are the same way. Only the very best drivers can out shift a properly maintained auto, and less face it, a lot of us are not perfect. Better mpg, less wear on drive train, less ability for driver to abuse it. I really do think we will be in the era of auto soon enough.

 

They already have automated landing systems. Now days planes are on auto pilot from takeoff to touch down at most air ports. The pilot is a computer operator, not a pilot. In most cases the auto systems can land a plane smoother then the pilot on manual. Unless the computer fails, they don't make mistakes like humans do.

I owuld however like to see a computer land a plane in the Hudson when both engines fail. (although in the sims, they claim he could have made it back to the airport)