What is driving the demand for autonomous trucks?

The introduction of autonomous vehicles may be nothing more than science fiction to some people, but the reality is technology companies across the globe, such as Google, Tesla and Uber, are investing heavily in developing the concept which shows the concept is closer to reality than people think.

Daimler, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of trucks, recently demonstrated a prototype truck which drove autonomously on an autobahn in Germany. This truck successfully navigated a junction in real driving conditions. This demonstration showed us just how real the technology is. Daimler’s demonstrated the truck as part of their ‘Future Truck 2025’ strategy. Trucks will be equipped with their ‘Highway Pilot’ assistance system which allows them to navigate successfully at speeds up to 85kph.

The introduction of autonomous trucks could be the biggest change the road transport industry will ever see. With that in mind we look at the reasons behind the demand for autonomous trucks.

Costs

Throughout Europe it is estimated that around 45% of the total cost for road transport operators is attributed to the driver. By eventually removing the driver it would obviously then have a huge impact on road haulage costs, margins and profits. There is no indication that this technology will ‘replace’ existing drivers in the future, the technology will be there as an aid to the driver and help free up time for them to work on other duties to maximizing their time.

Truck Driver Shortage

Another reason behind introducing autonomous trucks is the driver shortage crisis. People seem more unwilling to commit to a career as a truck driver due to many reasons including the long hours away from home, the relatively low pay, the poor image of the industry and the working conditions. This will soon translate in to higher costs for haulage operators and their clients. By removing most of the stress from driving by leaving the important decisions to a computer, the working conditions should become much more attractive. There could also be the opportunity for the driver role to change into a more enhanced role by adding transport management duties that could be completed during the time periods the computer is in control.

Safety

Public perception will demand absolute reliability with this new technology. It will need to be proven before any autonomous vehicle is allowed on the motorways. Any operation involving autonomous vehicles on public roads will need to be part of a much larger system, a system that perhaps is not quite a reality as of yet.

Congestion/Traffic

One of the leading reasons for the heavy investment in to this technology is the potential increase in transport efficiency. With road congestion predicted to continue to rise in the near future there is a real need to break the link between economic growth and road transport. German authorities have predicted that truck transport volume will increase by 39% by 2030 unless something is done to stop it. The construction of new roads is very unpopular with environmentalist and many countries in Europe just do not have the funds available to pay for that kind of extra road infrastructure. Major road networks in Europe have hardly grown in the last ten years and that’s why it becomes essential to use existing road capacity more efficiently and autonomous vehicles can help aid in this goal.

Environment

Autonomous vehicles can be programmed to drive more efficiently than human drivers, with all the senors and technology the vehicle will know how the best way to reduce emissions.

The Technology

There have been major developments with technology in terms of assisting the driver. Daimler’s ‘Proximity Control Assist’ will adapt the speed of the vehicle depending on the traffic situation through an integral cruise control and braking system. Three-dimensional maps already exist for a ‘Predictive Powertrain Control’ system and telematics products for vehicle and transport management for the driver and operator have already been rolled out.

Vehicle manufacturers believe that the driver will still be essential to the driving process in the next ten years. The technology will be there to assist the driver rather than take their job.