AUTOPILOT FOR TRUCKS
Anyone who has looked at this blog over time is well aware
that I have no understanding of the inflated valuation of Tesla stock. The
battery technology may be the important part, but beyond that, the car biz is
pretty iffy. For instance, there was another autopilot crash yesterday—into a
parked police car.
I just returned from six days on the road and over 4,000
miles. If I were a NYT reporter, that would qualify me as an expert. The only
expertise I have is accurately predicting that I will be amazed at the way
other drivers try to kill me.
FACTOID: The message board in Missouri said over 300 people
have been killed in auto accidents so far this year. SIXTY PERCENT (60%) OF
THEM WERE UNBUCKLED!!
Back to the subject of the title. All those trucks driving
individually. Why not take the existing technology (computer regulated speed,
cameras, proximity sensors and controls, and lots of others that exist now) and
create a system that allows trucks to “convoy.” (Again with the songs…convoy, 6
days on the road…)
Imagine the fuel savings if two, three or more trucks were
able to convoy down the freeway at 70 miles per hour spaced at 6 inches from
each other. Maybe the drafting drivers (actually, not driving at that point)
could get a break from the new Electronic Log Device mandates. Watch for the
ELD rules to cause higher prices on goods that need to be transported…which is
just about everything.
Seems like the infatuation with autopilot for cars could be
put to nearly immediate, economically advantageous use in the trucking
industry.
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