A Convoy Of Autonomous Lorries Just Drove Itself Across Europe

[astr0144]

A Convoy Of Autonomous Lorries Just Drove Itself Across Europe.

Looks like even more jobs maybe at threat in the near future with the latest Hi Technology.

It maybe one cannot even get a driving job.

A fleet of driverless lorries made by six different brands has completed a 1,300 mile journey across Europe.



Twelve trucks from car makers including Volvo and Daimler were connected to each other over Wi-Fi in a process known as 'platooning' where the vehicles form a tight convoy with the lead truck determining the speed and route.

The idea is to save fuel by slipstreaming, as well as preventing any accidents caused by human error.

After setting off from bases in three different European countries as part of the excitingly named 'European Truck Platooning Challenge', the lorries travelled across the continent in convoy, finally arriving in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

While perhaps not quite as compelling as the concept of driverless cars, autonomous lorries have been quietly put through extensive trials in recent months.

Truck platooning on major roads is much easier than driverless cars trying to navigate around on smaller roads, as it just involves the trucks 'talking' to each other over Wi-Fi and travelling in a straight line.

This is the first time that a driverless lorry test has involved vehicles from different makers crossing multiple borders.

Future trials will see fleets of trucks loading with goods in Rotterdam before driving themselves across Europe to deliver the cargo.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/convoy-autonomous-lorries-just-drove-145641326.html

[Dyna]

Would you not need to pay someone to be at the locations to refuel the trucks. often the driver is responsible for unloading and loading and receiving paperwork I suppose it would all have to be electronic and no actual paper anymore. What happens if a tire goes out and no driver?

So receiving locations would need workers waiting for the trucks to do the part the drivers used to do. Checking the load and making sure everything is strapped for open loads.

Will the human always be considered at fault in any accident I wonder. If not the truck owner I guess.

A Google self-driving car caused a crash for the first time

http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/29/11134344/google-self-driving-car-crash-report