Gatik’s Post

Nerding out here....Public transit needs to be (1) cheap, (2) reliable, (3) frequent, and (4) safe (and comparably fast as the alternatives). Driverless vehicles can help with all of these things. But safety is not just a matter of avoiding crashes--it also involves being safe from criminal activity. How much does the presence of the driver contribute to a "sense" of safety? I can envision many people feeling less safe in certain parts of town without a city employee visibly present who can kick people off the bus or at least report to the authorities. So could driverless buses actually reduce ridership on some routes?

#Autonomoustrucking is becoming a reality as companies explore its high potential for unlocking higher commercial vehicle utilization and add capacity to the network in light of ongoing driver shortages. I greatly enjoyed speaking with Rob Pegoraro at Fast Company to discuss what key technological and legislative advances are necessary to deploy at scale. At Boston Consulting Group (BCG), we are working with leaders in both passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors on how to safely and profitably deploy #automateddriving technology. We eagerly look forward to continuing these conversations and helping our clients succeed in the marketplace. Read the full Fast Company article here: https://lnkd.in/eMftu2ZU

Cruise aims to be a "role model driver" with updated safety standards after a high-profile robotaxi accident in 2023. The company, led by new Chief Safety Officer Steve Kenner, plans to use an independent evaluator for safety inspections before resuming commercial services. Despite past challenges, including a loss of operating permit and significant layoffs, Cruise is committed to improving transparency and regaining public trust, with plans to restart driverless operations by the end of 2024. https://lnkd.in/gdJqXjW2 #Cruise #SelfDrivingTech #AutonomousVehicles #SafetyStandards #RoleModelDriver #SteveKenner #TechInnovation #AutonomousCars #DriverlessTech #CruiseAutomation #SmartMobility #FutureOfTransport #AutomotiveSafety #TechLeadership #EV #AutonomousDriving #SustainableMobility #RoadSafety #FleetManagement #Robotaxi

Self-driving trucks in California? It sounds futuristic, but the risks are real. These massive vehicles navigating our highways without human oversight pose serious safety concerns—especially in a state with such unpredictable traffic and uneven terrain. The tech isn’t foolproof—and while most tech usually isn't—in this case the stakes are too high to gamble on. When it comes to handling emergencies or making split-second decisions, there’s no substitute for human judgment. It just doesn’t make sense to put lives at risk for the sake of so-called progress. What do you think about this? #VehicleAutomation #EV #SelfDriving #Trucking

The UK has passed its Automated Vehicles Act, paving the way for self-driving vehicles to arrive on our roads as early as 2026. With human error contributing to 88% of road collisions, this groundbreaking legislation is about more than just innovation – it places driver safety at its core. The law is set to revolutionise transport and economic growth in the UK. In the meantime though, it’s vital that we continue to do our part to keep drivers safe as we prepare for this new age of driving. Learn more about the guidelines set to protect drivers: https://lnkd.in/ex-XfCq2 #autonomousvehicles #roadsafety #UKdrivers

Self-driving semi-trucks can massively impact America’s supply chain, but concerns exist about highway safety, job loss, a lack of federal regulation and a wide variety of state laws regarding autonomous truck operation. Ready or not, self-driving semi-trucks are coming to America’s highways https://buff.ly/43FjGie

The future of trucking is here. This piece from Transport Topics sheds light on the game-changing potential of self-driving technology, highlighting Torc's latest driverless milestone that brings us one important step closer to driving the future of freight- https://bit.ly/3YPJojj #TorcDriven #Transportation

Over the years, Automated Driving Systems have had a wild ride at the Consumer Electronics Show, especially for driverless trucks. The 2024 event highlighted paths to commercial launch, such that this year may be an inflection point in the deployment of real-deal driverless freight movement. Here's a re-cap of the trucking action. #driverlesstrucks #autonomoustrucks

Transportation experts have been frustrated at how slowly the federal government has moved on the issue, given its potential to disrupt a massive part of the American economy. Steve Viscelli, a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania who studies the trucking industry, said autonomous trucking could “change the geography of our economy in the way that railroads and shipping did.” “There are real concerns that drivers have of the impacts of this,” Viscelli said, “and we need to take them seriously.” Driverless passenger cars have caused chaos in cities like San Francisco, including one horrific accident last year when a robotaxi hit a jaywalking pedestrian and dragged her about 20 feet. The potential for catastrophe is even greater with massive autonomous trucks, critics say. “Even with these small vehicles, it has been a disaster,” said Peter Finn, a vice president of the Teamsters Local Union 856, which represents truck drivers. “The notion that there is going to be no human being in large trucks barreling down the highways absolutely frightens me.” Major expansion Today, Aurora’s long-haul trucks are transporting packages and produce — about 100 deliveries a week — for FedEx, Uber Freight and others. Founded in 2017 by former executives at Uber, Google’s self-driving project and Tesla, the company has been training its driverless trucks in Texas since 2020. By the end of this year, Aurora says it plans to have about 20 fully autonomous trucks working the 240-mile stretch between Dallas and Houston. Eventually, it plans to operate thousands of trucks all across America. Kodiak Robotics, which was founded by a former employee of Uber and Alphabet’s Waymo, similarly plans to launch a fleet of trucks by the end of the year in Texas. A third company, Daimler Trucks — a subsidiary of German-owned Daimler that has partnered with Torc Robotics — is a few years behind, with plans to launch a driverless fleet in America by 2027. Nat Beuse, Aurora’s chief safety officer, said the self-driving truck industry has been “methodical” in deploying its technology, adopting strict safety standards, including how the trucks respond to various system failures. Beuse said the company has learned from the mistakes of other autonomous vehicle companies, including General Motors-owned Cruise, which recalled its entire driverless fleet after the San Francisco crash. “The federal government has been clear in that unless a state says you can’t deploy, you can. But that doesn’t mean as a company we don’t have responsibilities,” Beuse said. “This is not a science experiment.”

Growing up in New Haven, driving on the I-95 corridor was part of my daily life, and I was always afraid of the big trucks. I worried that the drivers were tired or trying to get somewhere too quickly. It was particularly scary on sleeting days. The idea of autonomous driving vehicles, with more predictable driving, fewer lane changes, and no concerns about hurry or sleep deprivation, is appealing. On the flip side, I know that fleet management technology has improved so much that truck drivers have to be safer these days, or they are out. For example, I've seen the AI cameras that detect tired eyes and record every time a driver takes a sip of a drink - it’s a whole new world. I also know that driving these vehicles is an important source of income for many families. Plus, the autonomous driving tech is still relatively new. An important ethical consideration arises with the increasing adoption of autonomous trucks: the impact on employment. While these technologies promise enhanced safety and efficiency, they also pose a significant risk to the livelihoods of millions of truck drivers. How do we balance the benefits of innovation with the need to protect jobs? Is there a way to transition the workforce into new roles within the evolving transportation landscape? Additionally, the article in the The Washington Post today highlights a pressing issue: the disparate legislation across states and the slow response from the federal government to regulate autonomous driving technologies. This inconsistency complicates the widespread adoption of autonomous trucks and raises questions about safety standards, liability, and interoperability on a national scale. How can we move towards a more unified regulatory framework that supports innovation while ensuring public safety and the well-being of the workforce? And what do you think? Is having more autonomous trucks on the road something you feel good about? Apprehensive? #AutonomousVehicles #FleetManagement #RoadSafety #AI #Innovation #Transportation #FutureOfWork #EthicalConsiderations https://lnkd.in/eHdPMSAz