Autonomous trucks are quickly becoming one of the most powerful technologies trending in the industry. The rise of online sites has also led to a growth in the demand for fast and increased shipping, and autonomous trucks have been catering to this need conveniently.
But what exactly do Autonomous trucks refer to? They are commercial vehicles powered with artificial intelligence that automate the logistics process entirely.
This reduces human intervention and error, particularly in large cargo deliveries. Advanced technologies such as high-resolution sensors, neural networks, and long-range sensors are used to increase the safety and efficiency of these trucks.
Table of Contents
3 Features of Autonomous Trucking
Self-driving trucks as opposed to traditional heavy-duty trucks from companies like Maximinc.com have been garnering a lot of attention recently. If you’re wondering why, here’s a brief look into its unique features.
1. Relies on Sensors
Autonomous trucks mostly use various types of sensors, namely image, ultrasonic, thermal, radar, and lidar sensors.
These sensors are used for data collection, which is accumulated after observing the surrounding environment. The properties of each of these sensors enhance the safety and overall performance of the truck.
2. Uses GPS Satellites
Autonomous trucks also use GPS satellites to check the pace of the vehicle. It helps the truck determine how fast it’s going and what street sign lies ahead and also creates motion estimation. This allows the truck to engage in self-assessment of its surroundings with perfect accuracy.
3. Equipped With IoT Systems
Autonomous trucks are equipped with IoT, which can help companies design and discover more efficient shipping routes. It removes risks associated with human drivers, such as fatigue, sudden illness, drowsiness, and the like, thereby increasing and ensuring safety on the road.
Current State of Autonomous Trucking
Driverless trucks may very soon hit the road, and with almost every life activity being extended to the online sphere, the need for faster and better logistics is on the rise.
Autonomous trucks are seen as a prospective vehicle to cater to this need. Here’s a look at the current state of things for Autonomous trucking.
Use of AI-Based Software
Autonomous trucks are facilitated with artificial intelligence, which caters to the safety concerns of driving accurately through features such as Lane monitoring, collision avoidance, and the like.
These trucks incorporate the integration of artificial intelligence with sensors, algorithms, maps, and perception tools, which allows the trucks to handle all the tasks that would otherwise require human intervention.
The vehicle is operated by software, which involves the regulation of steps such as planning, control, perception, and vehicle actuation akin to a human driver.
The implementation of AI-powered trucks can improve the performance of logistics while leading to time and fuel efficiency.
More Efficient & Productive
When it comes to Autonomous trucks, all decisions are computer-generated. Since autonomous trucks feature the use of artificial intelligence, it cuts down the need for the human workload to a great extent.
Issues such as fulfilling deliveries depending on the driver’s ability or taking the road will be eliminated. Drivers, being humans, may use their tendency to often take the road they like, which may lead to failure of logistics.
Autonomous trucks, however, will not be carried away and will always take the most efficient route you opt for without any complaints. This will ultimately lead to the efficient utilization of money and time.
Enhances Driving Predictability & Performance
Your company’s delivery schedule can get hampered by travel restrictions or rush hour congestion. To avoid the issue, being informed about the same beforehand is necessary so that there are no problems in your delivery process.
Autonomous trucks can predict off-peak hours to help avoid traffic and navigate congested roads so that you can prevent unnecessary obstructions along the way to ensure a seamless and timely workflow.
Furthermore, with a self-driving truck, you can enjoy safe driving even at night since the risk of a drowsy driver will be eliminated. This will thereby enhance the driving predictability and performance.
Integrating smart climate control systems can optimize energy usage within the vehicle, addressing concerns such as overcharged AC in cars/trucks, thereby ensuring efficient operations even in challenging environmental conditions.
Will It Replace Human Drivers?
Given the widespread rise of artificial intelligence on almost every industry front, the concern of autonomous trucks replacing human drivers is on the rise, too. Driverless trucks seem to become the next big thing very soon.
Can these AI-powered vehicles replace human truck drivers? Well, in poetic terms, the creation cannot replace the creator. These trucks, although automated, are created by humans. At some point, they will require human intervention.
The use of AI has certainly induced increased safety features for the trucks. The risk of accidents arising from drowsiness or a human error can be prevented. The chances of the driver taking the wrong road and thereby leading to the failure of timely delivery can also be kept at bay.
Nonetheless, to ensure the smooth and safe operation of these trucks, a human pilot will still be required. After all, it’s a machine, and while machines may seldom make an error, they can face malfunction or machine failure.
This might lead the truck to stop functioning the way you intended to. However, if there’s a human company with a vehicle, they can come in handy to figure out the problem with the truck in real time.
Autonomous trucks can thrive even in challenging conditions. For instance, it can predict bad weather and still operate even with low visibility, which is quite difficult for manual drivers. This will positively impact the safety of the workflow and efficiency of the company.
While all of these beneficial and powerful features may make it seem like there could be layoffs for human drivers, experts believe that it would improve the drivers’ quality of life instead and make their jobs much easier and more comfortable.
Instead of a replacement, these trucks will be a good assistance for drivers to transport.
Autonomous trucks might not have become a reality yet, but they seem to have a bright future ahead. Given the features they are equipped with, they are sure to increase and improve a logistics company’s efficiency, safety, and performance. As such, the introduction of these self-driving vehicles will surely be a boon.