Driverless trucks: Changing the transportation industry

Last year, Google released its first self-driving car prototype and plans to introduce driverless cars by 2020. The car has both map and sensor technology that allows it to detect where it is in the world and recognize its surroundings. Google is not the only company interested in autonomous vehicles. Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Tesla are all interested in providing autonomous driving features in their cars. With the buzz of driverless cars, the attention has also shifted to driverless trucks as well. Driverless trucks are seen to improve the way shipping will be completed. With the introduction of commercial vehicles becoming autonomous, there are concerns raised with machines taking over human jobs.

Concerns

Job Loss – With machines taking over, this results in the potential for job loss. If this new technology takes off, the job market for truck drivers would shrink since autonomous technologies would take over the jobs of humans. Drivers are concerned if driverless trucks are implemented, this would result in losing their jobs and unable to find work.

Safety – One of the main concerns with driverless trucks is safety. Human error would be taken out of the equation with machines accomplishing all tasks. However, malfunctions may occur and there is no way to control when and where it would happen.

There are concerns surrounding driverless trucks, however, there are benefits as well.

Benefits

If this technology is successful, there would be savings on fuel and maintenance costs. The driverless trucks would select the most efficient routes and could complete tasks in less time. Also, with humans no longer operating the trucks, there will be no need to optimize trucks for human use. Lastly, there is a competitive advantage of companies implementing this technology and could vastly improve day to day operations.

The future of the transportation industry

There is still a great deal of testing and improvement to be accomplished for this technology, however, it is becoming more of an interest to companies. Companies are continually looking to improve operations and upgrade to new technologies. This new technology could provide the leg up that companies are looking for to gain a competitive advantage in the industry.