Autonomous Driving – Trucks Set the Pace

Less fuel consumption, better utilization of available traffic lanes, a higher degree of truck utilization and shorter transportation times are important motivators for autonomous trucks. The driver will be relieved – if not even obsolete. In times of a severe lack of truck drivers in many important markets a valid argument. As trucks are often involved in unfortunate traffic accidents, also safety plays a major role. Finally, reliable sensor systems with corresponding actuator systems will soundly beat even the most rested professional trucker when it comes to reaction times.

Until the level of full automatization is achieved, experts from the consultant company Roland Berger calculate with 15 years to come. The development will show various levels in between – with an inclining degree of complexity and cost. As there are more than 4.3 million trucks in the US only, also aftermarket solutions provide a reasonable business case. It is anyhow expected that the breakthrough will be seen on the endless American or Australian highways first. They are ideally suited to this technology because the environmental conditions are less complex than those on European motorways.

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