If you've followed the recent updates in autonomous technology, you might have heard about Google's self-driving trucks and their intention to develop autonomous freight. This article will explore how this project came about, how it will be implemented, and what effects it might have on the future of cargo transportation.
What is Google's Self-Driving Truck Project?
In 2016 Google announced an ambitious new project to "transform the trucking industry." This project aims to design a self-driving truck that can operate without human oversight and deliver goods directly to the companies or consumers who ordered them. The research is said to have been very successful in certain areas, but a few things must be considered before Google's self-driving trucks hit the road.
How Will Google's Self-Driving Trucks Work?
Google's self-driving trucks are equipped with an array of hardware to assist in driving autonomously. To operate without human oversight, the trucks will have a navigation system that allows them to navigate in various directions. While these trucks drive, it makes sense for them to be equipped with sirens and lights so that other drivers can be aware of their presence.
Why Is This Project Important?
For freight transportation, the technology used could transform the industry as we know it. As mentioned earlier, Google's self-driving trucks will be capable of delivering cargo to companies or consumers without human input. This not only means that the trucking industry might become more efficient than ever before, but it also has far-reaching consequences in other areas of the industry.
As it stands now, the majority of jobs in freight transportation are held by people in places like warehouses, ensuring that trucks are loaded up and sent out. If Google's self-driving trucks become mainstream, it will remove many of these jobs from the economy. There is no way to say exactly how many people might lose their jobs due to this self-driving technology, but we can make some educated guesses based on previous developments.
Could This Technology effect The Economy?
As we have already seen, with the advancements in technology and job automation, it is possible that the overall economy could be disrupted. For example, many people like to consider how many jobs will be affected when artificial intelligence is used to run machines. But what about the economy as a whole? If the technology that powers Google's self-driving trucks manages to do half of what they are planning, it might result in mass job loss. According to experts, urban planners may need to work with transportation and freight experts to prepare how this technology could affect cities as a whole.
Will Google's Self-Driving Trucks Work On The Road?
According to reports, the company is currently testing the trucks in various parts of the United States. The manufacturer has been testing these trucks for a few months now, and they have nearly three times as many miles driven than any other self-driving vehicle. Nearly every part of Google's research on how to make this technology work has been supported by real-world trials and testing. So far, everything seems to be going well, with only minor design and programming issues arising.
The Future of Cargo
The technology that powers Google's self-driving trucks is still in the earliest stages of development. According to reports, the company plans to test this technology on a larger scale in a few years. If this is successful, it could mean that more people will be out of a job and that we may need to work with urban planners to ensure that we can handle how much cargo transportation will be affected by the increased use of self-driving vehicles.
Cargo transportation is already a vital part of the economy, providing millions of jobs and playing an important role in how we get certain goods. As more companies begin to work with autonomous technology, it might be necessary to work with urban planners to ensure that we can handle how this technology will affect cities in the future.
Moreover, self-driving trucks allow for more efficiency and can drastically cut costs associated with human oversight. As we move closer to a future where all vehicles are autonomous, it may be possible that companies will be able to take over deliveries and pay people through contract-based methods rather than full-time jobs. This could mean that there will be more people working in the community and various industries where goods are produced, rather than only being useful for shipping goods from one place to another.
