The article I’ve attached from Patrick Seitz is full of useful information regarding the progress of autonomous truck companies to get their technology approved. For example, technology such as Aurora, Embark Trucks, TuSimple, Gatik, Plus, Torc Robotics, and Kodiak Robotics to name a few. I will also add Clevon to the list as they too have autonomous vehicles on the road making deliveries; they just do it in smaller vehicles.
I am a fan of autonomous vehicles and I understand the value of autonomous trucks. For example, the trucks can operate 24/7 365 days a year. Without a driver, 45% of the cost of operating a truck disappears.
There is more to trucking than just long-haul trucking where loads move coast to coast. Gatik is doing a fantastic job in providing a solution for short-haul trucking needs.
According to Richard Steiner of Gatik, “We live in the middle mile — the movement of goods between micro-fulfillment centers, smaller distribution centers, and drop-off locations such as retail storefronts and other convenient local pickup points where consumers can access their goods. Many of our routes at the moment are in the 50- to 75-mile range.” This is very smart.
However, there is one thing that no one is talking about when it comes to autonomous trucks. Specifically, no one has asked this question until now – If you don’t need the driver, why do you need the truck?
In my opinion, the company that will win the autonomous truck race will be the company that creates a new mechanism for trucking vs. merely automating trucks. The purpose of trucking is to do one thing – haul trailers loaded with freight from origin to destination. If you don’t need the driver, find a replacement for the truck. These are examples of what I mean:
I believe investors should demand that autonomous trucking companies reimagine how to transport freight altogether vs. automating 100-year-old technology, tractor trailers. Yes, I know it’s a lot of work to make the technology work and the companies that have done so deserve to be respected.
The company that reimagines the truck and trailer is the company that will become the most valuable tech company in the industry. Will it be easy? I’m sure it won’t. Can it be done? Yes. Will it happen? Yes. It’s only a matter of time.
From a cost, safety, and practicality perspective, maintaining the use of autonomous large semi-trucks to move trailers isn’t the optimal strategy. Especially since there are alternatives.
One more time I must ask – If you don’t need the driver, why do you need the truck?
