This article will give you the scoop if you’re wondering whether an autonomous truck is a good idea for your business. First, read about the benefits and challenges of autonomous trucks, including cost and uncertainty. Then, learn about the companies testing this technology on semi-trucks. An autonomous truck requires no human driver to guide it.

Benefits

Some economists argue that the benefits of  the ‘race’ to win the autonomous truck market outweigh their negatives. While autonomous trucks will likely not replace the driver, they will help save fuel. According to the National Road and Transport Research Institute, using autonomous trucks will save up to 7% of fuel. In addition, even though the autonomous trucks will be in control of their braking and steering, the human driver will still be present in the cab and be able to take control of any mechanical problems or speak with the police in the event of an accident.

The benefits of autonomous trucks are many, including a reduction in accidents. A recent report found that truck drivers are involved in 350,000 accidents a year. In 2015, there were 3,900 truck-related deaths, with 16% of these fatalities attributable to truck driver error. Additionally, a significant portion of these crashes involved fatigued drivers. In addition to driver fatigue, eighty percent of crashes involving large rigs were caused by driver-related problems.

Challenges

The autonomous truck sector confronts comparable hurdles to self-driving vehicles, including public acceptability, cybersecurity, and unpredictable edge cases. Some businesses specialize in low-speed trucking for port operations, while others focus on commercial uses. These cars will often operate in more limited surroundings than in cities.

The technology is not fully ready yet. While autonomous trucks are programmed to obey traffic laws and adjust to road conditions, they are still at high risk for crashes. Truck developers are working hard to make their vehicles as efficient as possible while fulfilling their functions without human input. However, some studies suggest that self-driving trucks cannot prevent two-thirds of highway crashes. Additionally, the technology is more difficult to navigate city traffic than on highways.

Uncertainty

Autonomous trucks can navigate and perform specific tasks without a driver’s involvement. These trucks will also feature advanced technologies like adaptive cruise control, super-safety systems, and self-learning algorithms. However, the safety of these autonomous vehicles is still far from assured. Therefore, trucks will need to be highly versatile to provide safe transportation.

Ultimately, the trucking industry must navigate the risk of liability associated with this technology. In addition, the speed of innovation and adoption is expected to increase as the number of cases related to driverless trucks increases. As a result, trucking companies may face increased costs. But the benefits of this technology will outweigh the risks. In the meantime, trucking companies should plan to ensure the safety of their fleet.

Cost

The commercial incentive for using autonomous trucks is obvious. A pie chart shows that drivers make up a significant portion of the operating cost of a truck. Autonomous driving can reduce fuel consumption and tire damage by reducing driver costs. These technologies will require substantial amounts of capital to implement. However, these technologies can improve customer service while lowering costs. As autonomous trucks become more common, the telematics service will be part of their technology.

The benefits of fully autonomous trucks are immense. They will reduce operating costs by 45% and save companies between $85 billion and $125 billion yearly in the USA. They will also solve the problems of driver shortage and overcapacity. Unlike conventional trucks, autonomous vehicles do not have hours-of-service regulations. They can run twenty hours a day. As a result, fleet utilization will improve, and productivity will increase.

Safety

Embark has outlined its roadmap for self-driving vehicles. Upon reaching the US highways, autonomous trucks will have the potential to complete the trip in less than twenty-four hours. However, before autonomous trucks can safely hit the road, they must overcome several challenges. According to FMCSA estimates, truck accidents in the US cost approximately $30 billion annually. Autonomous trucks would significantly improve safety by removing driver fatigue, distraction, and recklessness from the equation.

To prove that autonomous vehicles are safe for the public, truck manufacturers have been promoting the use of self-driving vehicles (Avs). They claim that the technology is safer than human drivers, pointing to the numerous fatal accidents involving trucks yearly. However, some truck drivers fear that the advent of self-driving trucks will lead to their job extinction. Furthermore, some safety agencies believe autonomous trucks are dangerous and pose a risk to drivers.