Everything You Need To Know About Self-Driving Trucks - Intellishift

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Everything You Need to Know

About Self-Driving Trucks
August 19, 2022
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Self driving trucks are rapidly evolving and quickly becoming a reality.
Numerous governments, big players in the private sector, and truck

manufacturers continue to invest heavily in perfecting this technology. To
keep you from getting left behind, here’s everything you need to know about
self driving trucks.
What Are Self-Driving Trucks?
Self driving trucks or autonomous trucks have been called the most impactful
technology on the horizon. They will bring a near-perfect safety record and
operate without being subject to the DOT restrictions of time, distance, or
logging that would typically apply.
This way, self driving trucks will thoroughly satisfy the increasing demand for
shipping caused by online shopping without compromising safety. Merely the

idea of autonomous trucks has unions up in arms: they are expected to
permanently eliminate 500,000 jobs from human drivers by the time they are
here.
Many players are trying to perfect the technology and prove their product
against all possible use cases. Researchers are spending hundreds of millions
of dollars to produce a battery with enough power capable of breaking the

1,000-mile barrier.
Of course, there still needs to be a lot of work on perfecting self driving
technology so it functions perfectly in all weather conditions on highways,

including extreme weather. In the meantime, governments are tweaking
public policy to cover artificially intelligent driving.
Trials have seen tens of thousands of miles of autonomous driving without an

incident, but the challenge remains in achieving such an outcome during
exceptional circumstances.
Advantages of Autonomous Trucks
For a few decades now, the United States government has consistently
invested in technology that powers autonomous trucks. Autonomous truck
technology will be viable in the next few years, and it is clear that the
advantages far outweigh all threats or risks.
Besides, autonomous driving has long been seen as a marathon, not a sprint,
in transportation circles. Therefore, the advantages will continue to improve.
Improved efficiency
Autonomous semi trucks can maximize the performance of the logistics
industry both in terms of fuel efficiency and time. This is, of course, best done
by a computer making decisions.
Additionally, your fleet utilization would be far more efficient, given a load
would take much less time to deliver — especially for long haul trucking. Your
trips also won’t depend on driver availability and other human factors.
Automated driving systems would end drive-related errors — for example,

making a wrong turn or missing a shortcut — ultimately saving your company
money.
What’s more, some truck drivers choose their preferred route when allowed to
do so, which can harm efficiency. An automated truck will always select the
most efficient route.
Trucks operating during off-peak hours
Rush-hour congestion and travel restrictions in major cities can significantly

impact your delivery schedule. One of the advantages of driverless semi
trucks is that you can easily take advantage of off-peak hours with minimal
traffic.
Driving in the dead of night is risky since it can quickly induce drowsiness on
long haul trips: a danger to your investment, your clients’ freight, your driver,
and other drivers on the road.
With self driving semi trucks, your fleet can keep on trucking without the need
for your driver to park at a rest stop for the night. Likewise, self driving semi
trucks can easily traffic data and maps from the web to navigate congested
city streets, avoiding unnecessary stress and delays.
Fewer to no breaks
The DOT is busy working on improved regulations that will cover driverless
semi trucks and robots. The immediate implication is that fleet managers
don’t have to worry about their truck drivers complying with stringent logging
requirements.
When it comes to efficiency, the driver is the weakest link: all other
transportation systems, including your driverless semi truck, are capable of
round-the-clock operations, letting them embark on a run whenever the need

arises.
Your fleet is better off getting off the highway quickly, allowing you to use
fewer trucks for the same number of loads. Besides, travel during off-peak
hours can be rewarding because you can take advantage of low traffic
conditions.
Better safety record
The premise of a 100% safety record comes from the infallibility of
autonomous vehicles. However, there have been reports of incidents where

such technology has fallen short, resulting in deadly accidents.
Once automated trucks stop being baffled in exceptional circumstances,
including extreme weather, missing traffic signs, excessive traffic, low light
conditions, etc., the sight of a driverless truck would almost be reassuring. It
could also result in substantial savings in settlements, insurance claims,
accident repairs, and lost time.
Reduced overall expenditures
Improved safety comes from excellent driving, resulting in lower wear and
tear. This translates into significant savings on maintenance costs and
periodic repair bills. Additionally, lower fuel consumption means lower fuel
expenses that can trickle down the supply chain. Successful autonomous
trucking will result in a revolution in transportation, with nearly all of it in your

favor as a fleet manager.
Disadvantages of Driverless Trucks
As with all things good, there are drawbacks to driverless trucking.

Autonomous semi trucks will need to overcome technical problems resulting
from algorithms, computational systems, and locomotive machinery.
System failures
We have all been privy to system failures through the six decades of personal
computing. Despite having made all updates, using security software, and
even working on a brand new machine, we have all experienced downtime,
too.
Imagine if a fully loaded semi, at 80,000-pounds, was taking directions from

such a system. At best, the truck would be at a standstill waiting for
instruction; at worst, it may be a danger on the road.
To tide over this problem, engineers have to increase system redundancy,

which will raise costs for your business.
Security threats
As with all electronics systems, those piloting autonomous semi trucks are
also susceptible to hackers and other cyber threats. Without a sophisticated
tracking system < https://intellishift.com/products/connected-assets-
gps-tracking/vehicle-telematics/> , it’s possible that your autonomous truck

could be hijacked and driven across the border before you even detect it’s
missing.
Criminal hacking operations can mean you lose the ability to control your self
driving truck. They could lead your vehicles into accidents or sophisticated
theft operations where your clients will lose freight.
Legal liability
The question of legal liability posits an unresolved ethical situation for your
company’s legal officer.
Even a minor accident involving one of your fleet vehicles could raise the
question of responsibility. At such a critical juncture, your software could fail.
Or, the maintenance module may fail to alert you of worn brake pads. It could
even be that you neglected to update the systems onboard with the latest
software release.
Now imagine that your autonomous truck collided with another autonomous
truck. Such an incident suddenly raises the question of accountability and
liability.
Lack of human flexibility
As a fleet operator, you are accustomed to the familiarity and flexibility of

human interaction with your truck drivers. With the advent of the driverless
semi truck, you will lose that comfort, despite all of the efficiencies and
predictability.
You will only be able to manage your fleet based on what can be programmed
into the module. Even the most humbly logical additional task you want to
accomplish is impossible as an add-on.
Big Tech oligopoly over the transportation industry
Without human drivers, your entire fleet will depend on periodic software
updates for its efficiency. Given how big the autonomous trucking industry will
be, eventually these updates will probably all come from Big Tech. You might
also find Big Tech controlling other aspects of the industry.
How could this impact you and your fleet? Imagine that Big Tech develops
optimum locations for rest stops to recharge batteries, go in for period
testing, etc. In this scenario, you could begin to lose control over personal
preferences for your fleet.
Levels of Autonomy in Self-Driving Semi-Trucks
Autonomy in self driving semi trucks has been graded at six levels <
https://www.nhtsa.gov/technology-innovation/automated-vehicles-
safety> based on the amount of human intervention required.
1. Level 0 – Zero Automation: Such a vehicle has no driving automation at

all. This means the vehicular operation is entirely on the driver, even
though there may be a temporary intervention in the form of stability
control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, etc. Most of
the semi trucks on the road today are considered level 0.
2. Level 1 – Elementary Driving Automation: Level 1 trucks come with the

most elementary form of automation, integrating at least one driver
support system. Such systems could include electronic assistance with
braking, acceleration, or even steering.
3. Level 2 – Partial Driving Automation: Trucks that are level 2 must come
with an advanced driving assist system (ADAS). Such a system should be
able to take over acceleration, braking, or even steering when needed.
However, the driver must remain alert and continuously supervise driving
operations at the wheel despite such integration.
4. Level 3 – Conditional Driving Automation: At this level, we are talking
about significant automation to the point that such vehicles (not to
mention even higher levels of automation) are not legally permitted on

American roadways. Several driver-assistance and artificial intelligence
(AI) systems control the truck. While passengers don’t need to supervise
technology, a human driver is still expected to take over in the case of an
emergency.
5. Level 4 – High Driving Automation: Level 4 autonomy does not require any
human interaction and can stop in the case of an emergency or system

failure. Thus, there is no steering system (wheel or pedals) included. Such
technology will take the truck from point A to point B using
preprogrammed routes, restricted via geographical boundaries.
6. Level 5 – Full Driving Automation: Full driving automation allows the
driverless truck to go anywhere, through all conditions, without any human

interaction. No geofencing is required, nor does the weather play a role.
You only have to provide the system with a final destination.
Frequently Asked Questions: Driverless Trucking
Driverless trucking is well on its way to becoming a reality. However, there are
still many questions to be answered and confusion about its actual impact on
the transportation industry. Here are some of the most frequently asked
questions about autonomous semi trucks.
Are there self-driving trucks on the road?
While automated trucks are expected to be a reality in the next decade,

currently driverless trucking technology is still in an advanced testing phase.
The self driving semi trucks on the road are simply prototypes in terms of
hardware and software. Yet, tens of thousands of miles are being driven in
tests < https://technode.com/2021/12/21/plus-tests-self-driving-trucks-
with-automaker-iveco-in-europe-china/> in the US, and other countries like

China— so far, without incident.
How soon will self-driving trucks take over?
The moment a technology provider has reasonably perfected driverless

trucking, they likely bring it to market right away. Still, industry veterans opine
that it will be a few more years before driverless trucking is introduced.
Even then, it will be on limited to long haul routes where data, signage, and
symbols have been perfectly regulated.
Are self-driving trucks a good idea?
The concept of self driving truck companies is an idea whose time has come,
especially as more people have access to online shopping. Of course, there
are going to be winners and losers.
If the EU, the US, and other environments can clamp down on Big Tech, as we
have seen throughout Europe, fleet operators will be the primary winners
compared to drivers. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of truck drivers are
looking at job losses at a stage in their careers when upskilling will be difficult
for many.
What’s Next for Self Driving Trucks?
Self-driving trucks continue to improve driving decision-making, even as their

conditions become more challenging. For example, during extreme weather
conditions with very low visibility, when sometimes even manual driving
becomes quite challenging, automated trucks are expected to continue

rolling.
Even ordinary decision-making continues to get more accurate. Besides, we

are seeing greater regulation for Big Tech. That’s good news for the trucking
and logistics industry, which would otherwise be adversely affected.
Self-driving truck companies are coming, but it may still be a while before they
become a reality. If you’re looking to advance your existing fleet management
to improve efficiency and safety in the interim, the team at Intellishift can help
you find the right asset management system <

https://intellishift.com/products/connected-assets-gps-tracking/> to
meet the needs of your logistics company. Contact us today to discuss the
best solution for your fleet.
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10/3/22, 6:31 PM Everything You Need to Know About Self-Driving Trucks - Intellishift

Everything You Need to Know

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Numerous governments, big players in the private sector, and truck

self driving trucks.

What Are Self-Driving Trucks?

logging that would typically apply.

shipping caused by online shopping without compromising safety. Merely the

of dollars to produce a battery with enough power capable of breaking the

Of course, there still needs to be a lot of work on perfecting self driving

technology so it functions perfectly in all weather conditions on highways,

Trials have seen tens of thousands of miles of autonomous driving without an

Advantages of Autonomous Trucks

in transportation circles. Therefore, the advantages will continue to improve.

Autonomous semi trucks can maximize the performance of the logistics

Automated driving systems would end drive-related errors — for example,

most efficient route.

Trucks operating during off-peak hours

Rush-hour congestion and travel restrictions in major cities can significantly

city streets, avoiding unnecessary stress and delays.

round-the-clock operations, letting them embark on a run whenever the need

Better safety record

The premise of a 100% safety record comes from the infallibility of

autonomous vehicles. However, there have been reports of incidents where

Once automated trucks stop being baffled in exceptional circumstances,

Reduced overall expenditures

trucking will result in a revolution in transportation, with nearly all of it in your

Disadvantages of Driverless Trucks

As with all things good, there are drawbacks to driverless trucking.

Imagine if a fully loaded semi, at 80,000-pounds, was taking directions from

To tide over this problem, engineers have to increase system redundancy,

gps-tracking/vehicle-telematics/> , it’s possible that your autonomous truck

Lack of human flexibility

As a fleet operator, you are accustomed to the familiarity and flexibility of

Big Tech oligopoly over the transportation industry

Levels of Autonomy in Self-Driving Semi-Trucks

1. Level 0 – Zero Automation: Such a vehicle has no driving automation at

2. Level 1 – Elementary Driving Automation: Level 1 trucks come with the

able to take over acceleration, braking, or even steering when needed.

mention even higher levels of automation) are not legally permitted on

human interaction and can stop in the case of an emergency or system

driverless truck to go anywhere, through all conditions, without any human

Frequently Asked Questions: Driverless Trucking

Are there self-driving trucks on the road?

While automated trucks are expected to be a reality in the next decade,

with-automaker-iveco-in-europe-china/> in the US, and other countries like

How soon will self-driving trucks take over?

The moment a technology provider has reasonably perfected driverless

Are self-driving trucks a good idea?

What’s Next for Self Driving Trucks?

Self-driving trucks continue to improve driving decision-making, even as their

becomes quite challenging, automated trucks are expected to continue

Even ordinary decision-making continues to get more accurate. Besides, we

you find the right asset management system <

BLOG BLOG BLOG

IntelliShift GPS Fleet IntelliShift

< https://intellishift.com/> < https://intellishift.com/>

< < <

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy < Terms of Service <

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