The Transition to Autonomous Trucks
It’s unlikely that businesses will abruptly transition from using heavy-duty trucks with drivers to solely relying on driverless autonomous trucks. Current manufacturers and developers are indeed focused on achieving Level 4 autonomous trucks, which do not require human operators. However, fleet operations involve more complexities than just transporting goods from one location to another. Consider how an autonomous truck initiates its journey from point A and what happens upon reaching point B.
The Shift in Fleet Operations
Nils Jaeger, the head of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, emphasizes that this marks a significant evolution in fleet management. The introduction of autonomous trucks calls for a revamped transport ecosystem and a fresh perspective on logistics.
“You need an autonomy-enabled truck,” he explained. “Additionally, you’ll require a virtual driver, uptime services, fleet management solutions, and terminals explicitly designed for autonomous vehicles. These six components together create what we refer to as the new autonomous transport ecosystem, and we are actively working on its development.”
The Role of Terminals
Focusing on one critical component—terminals—Jaeger states they play a vital role in the new ecosystem. “Terminals should ideally be positioned close to highways to simplify operations,” he noted, which reduces technology demands on the autonomous truck and aids in its adoption.
New Roles and Responsibilities
The requirements for uptime are more stringent for autonomous trucks. “Pre-trip inspections demand certified personnel,” Jaeger commented. “New job roles will emerge and become increasingly vital. Existing roles will still be essential for dispatching and load consolidation.” These tasks will remain key in the evolving landscape.
Economics of Autonomous Trucks
Volvo Trucks is currently testing autonomous trucks in Texas with safety drivers ready to intervene when needed, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the driver. “Minimal interventions occur,” Jaeger said, “but removing the driver is when the economic model truly becomes viable.” He estimates that drivers account for about 40% of trucking costs, and eliminating this expense allows for the full financial potential of autonomous trucking, particularly for long-haul routes.
Enhanced Safety Measures
Safety is a core focus in the development of Volvo’s autonomous trucks. “Safety is synonymous with the Volvo brand, and we approach it with utmost seriousness,” Jaeger stated. The Autonomous VNL is designed with multiple redundancies for crucial systems like brakes, steering, power, and communication. Moreover, there’s a failback mechanism in place for the autonomous driving system. “Our company is committed to ensuring that no autonomous truck is less safe than one operated by a human driver, and we believe safety standards should exceed those of traditional trucks,” Jaeger added.
Stay Informed
For more insights into autonomous trucking, be sure to check out our latest video content featuring expert interviews in the heavy-duty trucking field, sponsored by Hendrickson.
