A tremendous amount of evolution has been happening in the autonomous truck space. More enterprises have emerged, and there are advanced technologies that are being explored to make truck driving automation a reality.
According to a report by Extrapolate, the global automated truck market size is projected to reach $798.72 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 15.89% between 2023 and 2030.
Regulatory bodies are enforcing rules to regulate the market and ensure that global safety standards are met. Industry leaders are excited about automated truck driving technology because of the immense benefits it offers to the logistics industry. This blog gives an overview of autonomous trucks, including their advantages, drawbacks, and current landscape.
Advantages of Self-Driving Trucks
Self-driving trucks have immense potential to improve efficiency in the trucking industry. The logistics industry has become the backbone of various economic activities and is advancing rapidly. Businesses today move huge volumes of cargo on a daily basis, and adopting truck driving automation technology will allow these companies to transport more cargo with less number of drivers. Autonomous trucks can seamlessly maneuver during off-peak hours. They help reduce traffic congestion during peak hours. These automated trucks do not require rest like human truck drivers. Hence, potential accident mishaps can be avoided resulting from drowsy truck drivers.
Adopting automated lorries will help enhance safety. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, approximately 4,764 people lost their lives in large truck crashes in 2022. Autonomous trucks will assist in reducing the number of accidents resulting from large vehicles. These trucks rely on data from sophisticated sensors integrated, which send notifications about potential dangers well in advance. This technology is still in its nascent stages, and there is yet a huge amount of research and development that needs to be done in this sector to ensure the safety of road users is met.
Drawbacks of Autonomous Trucks
One of the significant challenges with automated truck driving technology is its impact on truckers’ jobs. While autonomous trucks taking over jobs of people is a prevalent concern, numerous industry experts foresee an increased demand for skilled drivers, particularly to ensure that the vehicles are on track during the start and end of complex truck routes.
Another significant pitfall of the technology is that it has various legal issues regarding insurance and accident liabilities. Industry leaders and regulatory bodies around the world are exploring opportunities to resolve legal issues to ensure the technology takes off and becomes a reality soon.
The Current State of Automated Trucks
Autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and various businesses are exploring opportunities to capitalize on trends. Here’s a look at the current state of self-driving trucks:
1. Semi Automated Trucks With Platooning Technology
Companies in the autonomous vehicle sector are exploring opportunities to integrate vehicle platooning technology to optimize vehicle platoons’ safety, fuel, and operational efficiency. Various logistics providers in North America and Europe are shifting to platooning trucks as it is a cost-saving option. Platooning technology is also at its nascent stage and will be full-blown in the near future, which will act as a catalyst in the evolution of automated truck driving. Following are a few of the electronic and communication technologies that will help in making platooning of trucks a reality:
- System Displays
- Platooning Control Unit
- GPS/DSRC/Cellular/Wi-Fi antenna
- Forward-looking Cameras
- Driver Controls
- Radar-based Collision Mitigation System
Multiple autonomous vehicle technology enterprises are collaborating with truck OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to integrate platooning systems for semi automated truck fleet owners.
2. Completely Automated Trucks for Specific Geographies
Automated trucks usually operate along routes in confined geographic areas throughout their lifecycle. For instance, mining trucks would operate in the areas closest to the mines, and warehouse trucks would operate from the warehouse to the retail location. The operations of trucks with specific routes can be integrated with truck driving automation more quickly and efficiently compared to other trucks without a defined geography.
Various mine owners are investing heavily in autonomous haulage (driving) systems to optimize operational efficiency and minimize human casualties. Similar technology can be adopted for trails in the logistics sector, where it is easier to identify busy routes, and autonomous trucks that have additional safety features like road sensors and geotags are integrated.
Paving Road For Automated Trucks
Truck OEMs are putting a strong emphasis on developing completely autonomous trucks for the logistics industry, which is bottlenecked with challenges like product delivery efficiency, safety concerns, and inadequate carrying capacity. The road might see semi automated or completely automated trucks in the near future. Its penetration in the market will increase once the technology is tried and tested.
Once the technology is adopted on a higher scale, the dynamics of traditional fleet owners will be disrupted entirely. Conventional fleet carriers will look out for alternative technologies to minimize shipping costs. Several leading technology companies such as Peloton, Continental, and TomTom are developing robust platooning systems for human-operated trucks.
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