Self-driving cars and trucks — autonomous vehicles — could be a game changer for the logistics industry. With a promise of increased safety due to fewer accidents, lower insurance premiums, an increase in supply chain efficiency, and reduced shipping costs, autonomous trucking could be the ultimate in disruptive innovation.
It could also be the answer to the severe truck driver shortage the transportation industry is facing. Just about every major auto/truck maker is working on some level of self-driving technology. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released guidance to boost companies working on automated long-haul trucks. It will no longer assume that a commercial vehicle driver is human. That is an initial step to allow trucks to travel across state lines piloted by an autonomous driving system. FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez recently said automated trucking technologies have the potential to save thousands of lives and benefit the economy.
The confusing conundrum is that at the same time, autonomous vehicles could be viewed as the technology that has been overhyped in its potential and timeline for adoption. As of late 2017, reports claimed a total of about $80 billion has been invested in autonomous technology by all parties involved. Not surprisingly, as with any new technology, autonomous vehicles are still a bit of a mystery in terms of timeliness and specifics.
While it may only be a few years before truck makers introduce more advanced driver-assist features, some industry experts predict the first fully autonomous vehicles for highway use won’t arrive until 2035.