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Google & Facebook AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS in THE FUTURE ? * USA: Prognosis
* New York - Move aside Google Truck, the self-driving tuck is in your rear-view mirror
( Watch Daimler's Self Driving Truck Freightliner Inspiration in Nevada become the world´s first licensed autonomous heavy-duty truck allowed to use public roads. Forget the future this just happened today! Mercedes Self Driving Trucks are go with the Daimler's Freightliner Inspiration Truck! - Video by CARJAM TV - May 6, 2015 )
-- Google and the automotive industry, in general, seem to underestimate the potential of autonomous trucks, especially given a troubling and worsening driver shortage crisis, noticeable impact these trucks can have on reducing total cost of ownership, and comparative ease with which the technology can be implemented in heavy commercial vehicles and, perhaps in the future, making mega trucks (approximately 60 tons total tractor-trailer gross weight) a reality... In the U.S., heavy trucks represent roughly 5% of the total vehicle population, but consume 20% of total transportation fuel... These vehicles are business machines and owners of these vehicles naturally demand the highest fuel economy and safety standards, and are also willing to pay a premium in the form of higher upfront prices if lifecycle costs can be reduced. Therefore, it is only logical to expect that any innovation that enhances fuel efficiency and safety in the automotive industry will experience the greatest market pull in the commercial vehicle industry... Societal acceptance will be driven largely by the regulatory environment, and regulators are still undecided on whether to support such vehicles. The absence of regional standards is the primary hurdle that OEMs and autonomous technology suppliers must overcome... Many fear the possibility of cyberattacks as well as software and mechanical failures, both of which are legitimate concerns. The public has historically shown less sympathy toward mechanical failures than driver failures... More importantly, since we are focused on trucking, remember that trucking is a business, and like any business, the objective is to reduce operating costs. Many fleet managers are asking, “If an automated truck costs more than a conventional truck by 20-30% or more, and yet requires a driver in the cabin who is paid full salary, then why should I invest in this technology?” ... The benefits of autonomous driving in an industry that always craves TCO (total cost of ownership) reduction technologies are driving truck makers to develop autonomous driving trucks to differentiate their products from competitors... Daimler showcased the industry’s first autonomous long-haul truck in Hanover in 2014... Volvo has engaged in a different strategy toward autonomous driving with a near-term focus on a concept known as truck platooning or road trains. Volvo has invested in Peloton Technologies, a North American market leader in the development of truck platooning... There is also strong participation from other truck makers in North America, Europe and Japan, such as Scania, PACCAR, and Hino... The research study also states that advent of autonomous driving technologies and vehicles will usher new value chain partners into the trucking landscape—IT companies such as Google and Facebook, cybersecurity companies, and algorithm-based developers. OEMs’ lack of IT knowledge will open unprecedented partnerships and business opportunities in the trucking industry. About 15-20% of emerging revenue opportunities derived from autonomous trucks will be earned by these companies...And ... Self-driving trucks are no longer the future. They are the present. They're here !!! ...
NY, USA - Forbes, by Sandeep Kar - 19 May 2015
posted by Unknown @ 6:22 AM
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