A decade ago, self-driving cars generated substantial excitement, often overshadowing the enthusiasm for electric vehicles when contemplating the future of the automotive industry. Nevertheless, the progress in developing these autonomous vehicles has revealed itself to be gradual, marked by an array of complex challenges that demand resolution. The important question now is whether this technology has reached a degree of readiness acceptable for widespread implementation.
Regardless of this question, businesses in the self-driving vehicle market are receiving large-scale funding.
The creators of a once self-driving division at Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG have initiated a fresh autonomous trucking venture, Stack AV, bolstered by an investment exceeding $1 billion from Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp. While Stack AV joins a growing cohort of companies dedicated to driverless trucks, SoftBank’s substantial investment gives this driverless truck company and noteworthy advantage.
Nevertheless, the question lingers: Does this big investment foreshadow the inevitable ubiquity of self-driving trucks on our roads?
When Will Autonomous Trucks Hit the Roads?
Over the past year, the autonomous vehicle industry has experienced a significant shakeout, leading previously optimistic investors to scale back their commitments. Meanwhile, those who have persevered are faced with the challenge of trimming their workforce and securing funding for ongoing development efforts.
As things stand currently, there are a handful of contenders making progress toward the deployment of autonomous trucks over the next one to two years. These include notable names like Aurora Innovation, Torc Robotics, and Gatik.
Aurora, specifically, says that its technology is progressing from the “exploratory" phase to a “refinement" phase, with ambitious plans to introduce fully autonomous trucks in Texas by the latter part of 2024. Moreover, Aurora has expanded its operations into the realm of freight transportation, albeit with the inclusion of a backup safety driver, through partnerships with logistics firms such as Schneider.
The leadership at Aurora has acknowledged the evolving sentiment around autonomous driving technology, including the increased skepticism within the industry. This might explain why some states are pushing back against welcoming autonomous vehicles to their roadways.
California Law May Stop Autonomous Trucks in Their Tracks
A significant setback for the autonomous trucking sector occurred when California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that mandated the presence of a skilled human safety operator whenever a self-driving, heavy-duty vehicle is in operation on public roads within the state. Essentially, the bill recommended imposing a ban on fully autonomous trucks in California.
AB 316 was vetoed by Newsom, but the legislation can still be overturned if both houses of the legislature vote in favor of it with a two-thirds majority. Such occurrences in California are infrequent, however, with the last instance dating back to 1979.
Supporters of the bill contend that granting greater oversight over the process of removing safety drivers from autonomous trucks would serve as a safeguard for the well-being of California’s road users. Moreover, they assert that this measure would help secure job stability for truck drivers in the state.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), responsible for issuing permits for autonomous vehicles within the state, currently enforces a prohibition on autonomous vehicles with a weight exceeding 10,001 pounds. AB 316 was crafted in anticipation of the DMV eventually rescinding this weight restriction.
This vetoed bill would prohibit self-driving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds from driving on public roadways. This weight limit would apply to several types of trucks, such as UPS delivery trucks and large semi-trucks. If the bill had passed, the DMV would have to wait a year before issuing permits. It may be 2030 before we see self-driving trucks on California highways without a human driver in the driver’s seat.
Critics of the bill argue that the rules for self-driving trucks should be made by the state’s DMV and experts who really understand road safety. Critics also say that self-driving cars on the road right now have been in fewer big accidents compared to cars driven by people. Autonomous vehicle companies have added that using self-driving trucks could make moving products more efficient in the future.
The timing of this bill aligns with the growing discussions about the future of self-driving vehicles. In San Francisco, recent events involved two companies specializing in robotaxis, gaining approval from state regulators to operate their services around the clock. However, this move has sparked worries about possible unexpected stops and disruptions in traffic caused by these autonomous vehicles. On another front, in Phoenix, companies have begun testing self-driving trucks on highways and have even joined forces with the U.S. Postal Service to explore mail delivery using autonomous technology.
While companies are making advancements in the development of autonomous trucks, certain regulations are impeding progress. What does all of this signify for the global mobility industry?
The Impact of Autonomous Trucks on the Global Mobility Industry
Introducing automation into the operation of large freight trucks may help in addressing several challenges in long-haul trucking. These challenges include a persistent shortage of human drivers and pressing safety concerns, which contribute to over half a million truck-related accidents in the United States annually.
Worldwide ERC® recently published an article about how the shortage of truck drivers in the United States has wide-ranging implications for both the domestic and global economy. Beyond the personal impact on drivers, it disrupts the shipment of essential goods, affecting supply chain reliability and global trade.
The use of self-driving trucks could be a viable solution for freight businesses dealing with growing demand and a statewide scarcity of human drivers. This transition could result in cost savings, lower fuel use, and enhanced safety measures.
However, the path to commercializing self-driving 18-wheelers is complicated, especially given the limited accessible investment capital as interest rates rise. Because autonomous vehicles have a direct impact on global mobility initiatives and staff relocations, mobility specialists must carefully analyze their future position in the sector.
While autonomous trucks have hit a roadblock in California, there is a possibility that they will eventually change the industry. As companies continue to develop driverless trucks, professionals in the mobility industry are wondering how these trucks might affect the labor market, sustainability goals, and the overall supply chain. We have yet to see the role autonomous trucks will play in mobility.