Driverless trucks are poised to take over Texas highways as three startup companies, Aurora Innovation, Kodiak Robotics, and Gatik AI, plan to remove safety drivers from their vehicles after years of testing. These trucks will be guided by advanced software and an array of sensors including cameras, radar, and lidar. The three companies have already transported cargo for major corporations such as Walmart, Kroger, FedEx, and Tyson Foods.
Chris Urmson, co-founder, and CEO of Aurora Innovation, stated in an interview that by the end of the year, they expect to operate trucks without any drivers on board. While there are concerns about the lack of regulation and transparency, as well as the potential dangers of driverless trucks traveling at high speeds and weighing as much as 80,000 pounds, the companies remain confident in the technology’s ability to improve safety and reduce transportation costs.
Opponents argue that financial pressures drive the implementation of driverless trucks, rather than safety concerns. However, statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reveal that a significant number of fatal accidents involve large trucks driven by humans. This indicates that human drivers don’t guarantee safe operations.
One of the advantages of driverless trucks is their ability to travel longer distances and operate continuously beyond the 11-hour limit imposed on human drivers. The advanced sensors equipped on these trucks scan their surroundings multiple times per second, significantly enhancing reaction time and reducing the risk of accidents.
The deployment of driverless trucks is still subject to state regulations, with California suspending operations after incidents in San Francisco. As a result, the three companies have turned to Texas for testing and deployment due to its more relaxed rules for allowing trucks to be tested on public roads.
In conclusion, driverless trucks are on the horizon in Texas and will soon revolutionize the transportation industry. While concerns about safety and regulation persist, the potential benefits of improved highway safety, lowered costs, and reduced emissions have convinced these startups to forge ahead with their plans.