In the trucking industry, a significant change is underway. This shift, although talked about for years, is just starting to take shape, particularly in the southwestern United States, with Texas leading the charge. Recently, Aurora Innovation, a key player in the development of self-driving truck technology, announced plans to let its driverless trucks operate in bad weather. This comes as they prepare to launch commercial trips in Texas later this year.
This news is quite startling. Until now, companies like Aurora have needed a human safety driver present during tests on public roads. Aurora has been testing its trucks on two major routes in Texas: Interstate 45 between Houston and Dallas and along Interstates 20 and 10 between Fort Worth and El Paso. Meanwhile, Kodiak Robotics has already started using its driverless technology on less-traveled oilfield roads in West Texas, where their trucks transport materials to drilling sites.
It’s no surprise that much of this testing is happening in the Sunbelt, where the weather is generally more favorable for the technology that replaces human drivers. The recent announcement about testing in inclement weather suggests that these companies are preparing for broader deployment in areas that experience more challenging conditions.
So, what’s driving this push to replace human truck drivers? The answers vary depending on who you ask. Executives at companies like Aurora often tailor their messages to different audiences, including government officials, the public, and their investors. Investors are told that the total wages for truck drivers in America amount to about $200 billion annually, making it a lucrative market to tap into. The rush to get autonomous trucks on the road may also stem from a desire to keep investors satisfied, especially as companies compete to lead in this emerging market.
Aurora has made bold claims about fully autonomous operations by the end of 2024, but they have yet to remove safety drivers during testing. In April 2023, they announced plans for testing on Interstate 45 and aimed to raise over $800 million in additional funding. Despite these announcements, they have not met their timeline for going fully driverless.
Other companies are also in the race. Plus AI, which has partnerships around the globe, is testing its systems and has a contract with Amazon for 1,000 autonomous trucks. In a recent interview, Plus AI’s CEO mentioned Amazon’s commitment to using technology to improve road safety.
However, there are concerns about the implications of these technologies. Critics argue that companies like Amazon, which often rely on low-cost labor, are not genuinely focused on safety. The question arises: are these automated systems a solution to problems created by the trucking industry itself?
As companies rush to develop and deploy these technologies, we must consider the potential consequences. What happens when trucks start replacing human drivers on a large scale? This topic has been discussed by various figures across the political spectrum, highlighting the potential job losses for millions of truck drivers.
The trucking industry is already facing challenges, including a driver shortage exacerbated by recent policies. As these companies push for automation, we must ask if they are taking advantage of a vulnerable workforce and whether their justifications for replacing human drivers are valid.