2022 GMC HUMMER EV revealed as a 1,000-hp, 350-mile, fast-charging beast

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by p1l0t

With shipping it's easy, you just swap trucks. One charges while the other drives the next segment. It is then does the next segement when the next trailer arrives. It will work well for the larger companies anyway who can handle the logistics.

Not so well for Owner/Operators that often contract with those companies though.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

That's a scary thought.

I don't believe this will ever happen, at least not on our current road infrastructure. We already have a technology that is perfectly fit for autonomous transport (trains) yet there are still minders on them.

If it does happen, it will be surprising to see it survive the first accident, whether the fault of the autonomous truck or not.

There is a huge difference between being a "minder" and being a driver though. The trucks may go the same route as the trains where the "minder" is just sort of there for emergencies but the vehicle takes the bulk of the driving away.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

There is a huge difference between being a "minder" and being a driver though. The trucks may go the same route as the trains where the "minder" is just sort of there for emergencies but the vehicle takes the bulk of the driving away.

agreed, but that won't eliminate things like time limits, etc, although they could swap personnel like they do with trains.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

agreed, but that won't eliminate things like time limits, etc, although they could swap personnel like they do with trains.

Exactly.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Exactly.

Of course, without a "dead man switch" the minder is primarily a placebo for the traveling public. That would be one boring ass job, it would be really hard to focus over an 8 or 10 hour shift.

[p1l0t]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Not so well for Owner/Operators that often contract with those companies though.

Depends on how well the networking is. If they are only doing one leg at a time is fine. Again though it depends on good effcient management on a large network (but contractors could be a part of that network).

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[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Of course, without a "dead man switch" the minder is primarily a placebo for the traveling public. That would be one boring ass job, it would be really hard to focus over an 8 or 10 hour shift.

Having been a truck driver for several years I can personally attest to the fact that actually driving the truck is no better. Driving a car for 8 or 10 hours every once in a while isn't so bad but doing it 5 or 6 days a week, every week, all year long, is a whole different ball game. I would much rather have a minder lose focus than a driver. The majority of truck accidents are caused by the driver losing focus if not outright falling asleep so a truck that is doing the bulk of the driving will actually be far far safer.
Also need to keep in mind that they will not be restricted to the current tech and new developments come out almost daily at this point. By the time they are ready for this to go into actual use the vehicles on the road will be talking to each other and the infrastructure will be far superior than what we have now.
A performance car forum is a rough place to try to discuss these things since so many don't want to believe that this is the near future so they tend to rationalize why it won't work instead of looking at why it will.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Having been a truck driver for several years I can personally attest to the fact that actually driving the truck is no better. ..

We're on the same page on this, it will just be interesting to see how it survives the first at-fault accident.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

We're on the same page on this, it will just be interesting to see how it survives the first at-fault accident.

By that point there be so much money invested into it that going back will not be possible. Besides the reduction in the current human error accidents will more than make up for it. People may scream but that will pass. People said the automobile would never last because of the dangers but it seems to have done OK.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

That's a scary thought.

I don't believe this will ever happen, at least not on our current road infrastructure. We already have a technology that is perfectly fit for autonomous transport (trains) yet there are still minders on them.

If it does happen, it will be surprising to see it survive the first accident, whether the fault of the autonomous truck or not.

It is inevitable. The transition period could be rocky, but it'll be common place eventually. It may be 30-50 years. It may be less.

It is funny that you mentioned trains because it has been proposed to have autonomous semis follow a lead semi that is also autonomous, but has a driver, so whatever avoidance is performed by the lead vehicle will be translated to the following units. Musk has compared the cost of the caravan to that of trains.

[p1l0t]

As a pilot, who is supposedly also getting replaced by automation... I can tell you that the more automation the more things I seem to have to manage.. The switches and knobs get less but that's just been replaced with more programming/setup.

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[Spuds]

Originally Posted by p1l0t

As a pilot, who is supposedly also getting replaced by automation... I can tell you that the more automation the more things I seem to have to manage.. The switches and knobs get less but that's just been replaced with more programming/setup.

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I can assure you, your job isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Machines cannot determine whether an operator is an idiot yet so the world still needs qualified and credentialed people to promote safe operation of the machines.

Also, I think that's the first time this week. Yes, I keep count. You know what I mean.

...
ps.
I don't actually keep count, that would be creepy

[WildCard600]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Not so well for Owner/Operators that often contract with those companies though.

Exactly. CH Robinson is one of the largest logistics companies in the world and I don't believe they own a single truck. Many drivers also own their trailer as well so even dropping trailers and having a different truck continue via relay isn't as simple as it sounds.

The problem is complex and it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out in the end.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by p1l0t

With shipping it's easy, you just swap trucks. One charges while the other drives the next segment. It is then does the next segement when the next trailer arrives. It will work well for the larger companies anyway who can handle the logistics.

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That is really not far off how large freight companies already operate.