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Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

cnn.com

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Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#61

Post by recursivedoubts »

ethbr1 wrote: post #58
recursivedoubts wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

next level would be to hook these "platoons" together physically and then centralize the propulsion in a super efficient package. And then we could move them off the highways and onto specialized "tracks" that guarantee they don't deviate from the planned routes. speculative, alien technology, admittedly, but some day our scientists will figure it out i bet!

Hmm. That sounds like it might lead to a monopolization of these tracks, as networks consolidate, and then ultimately evolve into a stagnant industry more focused on cutting costs than innovating...

dammit

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#62

Post by krapp »

xracy wrote: post #60
ethbr1 wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hmm. That sounds like it might lead to a monopolization of these tracks, as networks consolidate, and then ultimately evolve into a stagnant industry more focused on cutting costs than innovating...

I suspect that's why a competent government might invest more in these tracks as they might contribute a lot to delivery infrastructure. Especially in a consumer-based economy where shipping goods is important.

Let me know where you can find a competent government not currently trying to burn down its own consumer-based economy with tariffs and xenophobia and which doesn't consider trains a communist plot. And whether they take American passports.

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#63

Post by nadir_ishiguro »

recursivedoubts wrote: post #56
EvanAnderson wrote: post #32

There's also a trial of "platooning" of driverless trucks on I-70 in Ohio and Indiana: https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardbishop1/2025/04/24/ease-... A "drivered" lead truck is leading one or more driverless trucks in this case. I drive the stretch of highway these trucks are on fairly regularly. I don't know that I've seen a group of them yet but I'm keeping my eye out. I'm probably just showing my age, but I like…

next level would be to hook these "platoons" together physically and then centralize the propulsion in a super efficient package. And then we could move them off the highways and onto specialized "tracks" that guarantee they don't deviate from the planned routes. speculative, alien technology, admittedly, but some day our scientists will figure it out i bet!

Ah, you're thinking of the world famous Las Vegas Hyperloop!

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#64

Post by singleshot_ »

somethoughts wrote: post #50
slillibri wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem with this is we live in a 24 hour world. When I worked 2nd shift, I got out of work at 2am so I would have to “choose not to” use the highway to get home. Also, emergency vehicles also use highways.

Agree -but the alternative is that at no point does anyone get to chose to opt out of driving amongst a sea of 10 ton self driving trucks.

I have some bad news for you: those trucks are eighty thousand pounds gross.

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#65

Post by smallmancontrov »

porphyra wrote: post #7
lenerdenator wrote: post #5

Hmmmmm. So we're going to have a lot of people potentially unemployed because of this...

There's a national truck driver shortage, with a particular lack of young drivers [1]. Perhaps automation technology will become widespread just in time for the current generation of drivers to retire. [1] https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/worse-you-though...

Not one mention of pay? Really?

In other news, there is a terrible shortage of Lamborghinis at the $30k price point. When will the horror end?

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#66

Post by robocat »

krapp wrote: post #62
xracy wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect that's why a competent government might invest more in these tracks as they might contribute a lot to delivery infrastructure. Especially in a consumer-based economy where shipping goods is important.

Let me know where you can find a competent government not currently trying to burn down its own consumer-based economy with tariffs and xenophobia and which doesn't consider trains a communist plot. And whether they take American passports.

I'm not sure governments learn by seeing the mistakes of other governments. But consecutive New Zealand governments have made some big mistakes. Capitalist party sold the national rail to an Australian company because rail was inefficient and costing a ton. Privately run cut back staff significantly. A few years later the story was that that was failing privately run, so the socialist party bought it back at exhorbitant cost. Now current governmentis trying to sort out a massive budget blow-out to get "rail" ferries between North and South Islands working (roll-on roll-off). The private ferry (Bluebridge) is doing okay I think.

I believe the lesson is that rail sucks here, economically speaking (whether privately run or publicly run). Unfortunately old voters love rail so the politicians pander to them.

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#67

Post by msla »

recursivedoubts wrote: post #56
EvanAnderson wrote: post #32

There's also a trial of "platooning" of driverless trucks on I-70 in Ohio and Indiana: https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardbishop1/2025/04/24/ease-... A "drivered" lead truck is leading one or more driverless trucks in this case. I drive the stretch of highway these trucks are on fairly regularly. I don't know that I've seen a group of them yet but I'm keeping my eye out. I'm probably just showing my age, but I like…

next level would be to hook these "platoons" together physically and then centralize the propulsion in a super efficient package. And then we could move them off the highways and onto specialized "tracks" that guarantee they don't deviate from the planned routes. speculative, alien technology, admittedly, but some day our scientists will figure it out i bet!

Sounds like something that would require a lot of infrastructure that wouldn't make a lot of sense to build in the most rural areas of a country, unlike roads which can be quite cost-effective even without towns nearby.

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#68

Post by smallmancontrov »

RankingMember wrote: post #9
lenerdenator wrote: post #5

Hmmmmm. So we're going to have a lot of people potentially unemployed because of this...

UBI is inevitable imo; we're going to continue to see machines replace humans in roles like this.

Swarms of murderbots are cheaper than UBI. This is going to get ugly.

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#69

Post by DrillShopper »

RankingMember wrote: post #9
lenerdenator wrote: post #5

Hmmmmm. So we're going to have a lot of people potentially unemployed because of this...

UBI is inevitable imo; we're going to continue to see machines replace humans in roles like this.

Who is going to willingly fund it?

Re: Driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes

#70

Post by vkou »

RankingMember wrote: post #15
lenerdenator wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The guys with all of the money don't like paying people now when people actually deliver value with their labor. No way they do it once they can just have machines work for them. Well, not with being asked politely, at least.

> Well, not with being asked politely, at least. yep, it definitely won't happen politely

Of all the countries in the world, it definitely won't happen in the United States.
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