Autonomous cars are offering taxi services in various cities around the world, but autonomous trucks are not far behind and are also being tested on the roads.
The state of Texas (USA) is one of the places that through its legislation, it makes easier the tests of this type of vehicle both cars and trucks, and it is there where many companies dedicated to this incipient business are located.
Both Waymo and Aurora, and other companies have settled in that state and have trucks doing tests on its roads. These are huge trucks with up to 18 wheels equipped with all kinds of cameras, radars, GPS, etc… to know their position and view everything that happens around them.
Controlling an autonomous truck is much more complex than a car, and the risks it faces are also greater, since any mistake can cost other vehicles and their passengers dearly.
A large truck is a mass of tens of tons that must be very well controlled to minimize its risks. If an error occurs, its consequences can be very serious, and apologies or explanations are useless.
Some companies like Waymo have already built a logistics center in Dallas that can accommodate hundreds of autonomous semi-trailers, in anticipation of future business.
Texas is a very suitable state to carry out these autonomous truck tests, since it has a good climate that favors the operation of the sensors placed in the trucks, it borders with Mexico and uses its highways to carry out more than 80% of its commercial exchange.
And these trucks have many advantages. They do not need to rest but only refuel, and not having a driver reduces the cost per kilometer to almost half. Conclusion: cheaper costs and carried out in less time. Therefore, it is normal for transport companies to seek these solutions.
It is clear that what may be good for companies may not be so good for truck drivers, because in a few dozen years not as many drivers will be needed as today.
For an autonomous truck, the easiest thing is to drive on highways and the most difficult to drive in urban environments. And that is why companies are thinking of logistics centers between which trucks move autonomously, and from there continue using drivers for short distances to the final destination.
It is a whole world to develop, but it is clear that the first positioned will be the most likely to take the bigger part of the cake, although there is still a lot of work to be done to guarantee the safety of people and goods.
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