Driverless trucks with no humans on board will soon cruise Texas highways if three start-up firms have their way, despite objections from critics who say financial pressures, not safety, is behind the timetable.
After years of testing, Aurora Innovation, Kodiak Robotics and Gatik AI expect to remove safety drivers from trucks that are being guided by software and an array of sensors including cameras, radar and lidar, which sends pulses of light that bounces off objects. The companies have already hauled cargo for big names such as Walmart, Kroger, FedEx and Tyson Foods.
"At the end of the year, we anticipate getting to the point where we begin operating those trucks without drivers on board," Mr Chris Urmson, co-founder and chief executive officer of Pittsburgh-based Aurora, said in an interview.
All the companies say they are ready to deploy the technology, though they know there is little-tono margin for error. The risk is worth it, they say, because the technology promises to improve highway safety and lower transportation costs.
Detractors say the companies have incentive to cut losses that investors have been financing during the development and testing phase.
"We are concerned about the lack of regulation, the lack of transparency, the lack of comprehensive data collection," said Ms Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. Other opponents include the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a 1.3 million member union that represents drivers and warehouse workers.
And trucks pose severe dangers, opponents say, because they will be travelling at highway speeds and weigh as much as 36,280kg, or more than 15 times as much as General Motors' troubled Cruise driverless robotaxi.
The federal government for now has left regulation of driverless large trucks mostly up to states, creating a patchwork of rules.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin January 15, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin January 15, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
VERDY'S APPROACH AN EYE-OPENER
Former Lions turned coaches Alam Shah and Isa inspired by stint with Japanese club
Lions' morale-boosting win comes at a price
The Lions got a much-needed morale booster ahead of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship as they beat Tokyo Verdy 2-1 on Oct 11 in the second of three friendlies against J1 League opponents in their Japan training tour.
Conditions to blame for 'ugly' draw, says Messi
Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi's return, as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Oct 10.
Belgium punish Italy at set pieces in 2-2 draw
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti blamed bad luck, as Belgium bounced back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with his 10-man side in Rome on Oct 10 to boost their hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals.
CARSLEY'S MIDFIELD OVERLOAD BACKFIRES
England temp boss dismayed by mistakes as Three Lions lose to Greece for first time
Player strike in England unlikely: Sports law expert
The chorus of frustrated players and managers speaking out against football's gruelling fixture schedule continues to grow, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate the latest to say he would support players' right to strike.
SOCCEROOS HAVE NO FEAR
They head to Japan with confidence despite never having beaten the Samurai Blue there
Toyota back in F1 with Haas tie-up
The United States-owned Haas Formula One team and Toyota announced a multi-year technical partnership on Oct 11, in a move bringing Japan's biggest carmaker back to grand prix racing for the first time since 2009.
SABALENKA TO STICK TO HER BRAVE PLAN
World No. 2 will be aggressive in Wuhan semi against Gauff; Fritz takes on Djokovic
Nadal's beauty lay in his purity as a competitor
To appreciate the retiring Rafael Nadal we can flip through record books, hunt down Uncle Toni, sift the clay for archaeological clues, speak to Roger Federer's therapist, delve into the physics of spin, but really it's best if we start with a dictionary.