The Future of Shipping: Waymo's Driverless Truck Test Program

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Current state of driverless vehicles
   1. Cars and vans
   2. Semi-trucks
3. Waymo's head engineer for trucking
4. Challenges facing the driverless industry
   1. Human reactions to driverless vehicles
   2. Safety drivers
   3. Unpredictable human drivers
   4. Shortages in the trucking industry
5. Benefits of driverless trucks
   1. Efficiency
   2. Decreased accidents
   3. Less strain on human drivers
6. Implementation of driverless trucks
7. Conclusion

The Future of Driverless Semi-Trucks

Driverless vehicles have been one of the most talked-about topics in the field of transportation in recent years. While the concept of a car driving itself has become increasingly familiar, the thought of a massive semi-truck hurtling down the highway without a human driver behind the wheel is enough to make some people break out in a cold sweat. However, the reality is that self-driving semi-trucks are a technology that is already being tested on roads in the United States today. This article will explore the current state of the driverless trucking industry, the challenges it faces, and the benefits it can provide.

Current State of Driverless Vehicles

Cars and Vans

While most people have heard of driverless cars, it is not as widely known that driverless vans are already driving on the roads of Phoenix, Arizona. Yet, it is semi-trucks that are the new frontier in driverless vehicles.

Semi-Trucks

The autonomous trucking industry is currently being led by companies like Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet, Google's parent company. Boris Sofman is Waymo's head of engineering for trucking, and he believes that fully self-driving trucks will be on the roads within the next couple of years.

Waymo's Head Engineer for Trucking

Sofman also explains that Waymo has already completed over 20 million physical miles of driving and over 20 billion miles of simulated driving. He admits that one of the biggest challenges facing Waymo and the driverless industry as a whole is humans' reactions to driverless vehicles.

Challenges Facing the Driverless Industry

Human Reactions to Driverless Vehicles

There is a concern that some people will see a semi-truck without a driver and freak out about its presence on the road. However, Waymo and other driverless trucking companies are investing in safety drivers to supervise the self-driving trucks. They are doing this so the general public is more accustomed to the sight of driverless vehicles on the roads.

Safety Drivers

These safety drivers, like Bob Kreps, are present to supervise the self-driving trucks during testing. Kreps drove one such truck during NBC's feature, and while he was in the cabin, he was not controlling the vehicle. Instead, the truck is equipped with a guidance system of 28 cameras and several radar sensors which map the truck's immediate surroundings. The system can detect hundreds of objects at a time, from pedestrians and cyclists to other vehicles.

Unpredictable Human Drivers

One of the most significant challenges facing the driverless industry is planning for unpredictable human drivers. Waymo admits that humans' bad driving is the source of the deepest challenge in the self-driving space. It is easy to be a good driver, but dealing with all the anomalies that the world throws at You is where the challenges arise. To ensure safety, companies like Waymo must Create self-driving trucks that can anticipate and react to unpredictable human drivers.

Shortages in the Trucking Industry

Another major challenge facing the trucking industry is the shortage of truck drivers. This shortage is due, in part, to younger workers choosing jobs closer to home and wiser tech-weary generations like Bob Kreps eyeing retirement. This has led to many trucking companies struggling with supply chain issues and delaying shipments.

Benefits of Driverless Trucks

Efficiency

Driverless trucks have the potential to increase efficiency by getting goods to their destinations quicker and more efficiently. With the ability to navigate for longer periods without rest, driverless trucks can cut down on delivery times.

Decreased Accidents

Driverless trucks can also decrease the number of accidents on the road. Most accidents involving semi-trucks are caused by human error, whether it be fatigue, distraction, or impairment. With driverless trucks, the vehicle is not compromised by factors like road rage or distraction.

Less Strain on Human Drivers

Human drivers face many challenges on the road, from traffic congestion to driver fatigue. With driverless trucks, drivers will still be present to supervise, but they will face less strain on the job, making their work easier and safer.

Implementation of Driverless Trucks

Implementing driverless trucks on roads nationally will require strategic planning by the industry's stakeholders. Building the necessary infrastructure for driverless trucks will require substantial investment, but once that infrastructure is in place, the benefits are plentiful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite the challenges they face, driverless semi-trucks are the future of the transportation industry. While it may seem scary to imagine a massive vehicle barreling down the road without a human in the driver's seat, the technology is being tested thoroughly, refining its safety plans, and preparing for a future where the benefits far outweigh the challenges.