Semi-automated trucks to hit UK roads by end of 2018

[misskit]

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will begin trials of semi-automated, wirelessly connected truck convoys on public roads by the end of 2018, in a bid to find more fuel-efficient ways to transport goods.

Development of the technology has already started elsewhere in Europe and the United States. In April 2016, semi-autonomous trucks drove from factories in Sweden and Germany to the Dutch port of Rotterdam in early trials.

The UK government said funding of 8.1 million pounds ($10.4 million) would enable so-called platooning trials where a lead truck driven manually controls the acceleration, braking and steering of two others behind.

All the trucks would have a driver ready to take control if necessary.

Platooning is seen as more efficient as the first truck in the convoy reduces air resistance for the vehicles behind it.

“Advances such as lorry platooning could benefit businesses through cheaper fuel bills and other road users, thanks to lower emissions and less congestion,” Transport Minister Paul Maynard said.

“But first we must make sure the technology is safe and works well on our roads, and that’s why we are investing in these trials.”

However, Edmund King, President of the Automobile Association (AA) set up to help motorists, said British roads were not suitable for large-scale convoys.

“This is not America, we do not have massive freeways like in Nevada and Arizona where you’ve got long stretches of road that are pretty open,” he told BBC Radio.

"If you look at the UK, we have more entrances and exits to our motorways and they are much more congested."

King tweeted that the investment would be better spent electrifying heavy goods vehicles.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-b...-idUSKCN1B51BH

[SKkin]

Development of the technology has already started elsewhere in Europe and the United States.

Otto which Uber now owns...and renamed Uber ATG.

https://www.uber.com/info/atg/truck/

[misskit]

The beginning of the end for all those semi truck driving jobs.

[SKkin]

^ I want to see Otto back that thing up...

[CaptainNemo]

...the sooner the better, frankly.

[SKkin]

...idle hands...



Self-Driving Trucks Projected to Slash Trucker Jobs by Half or More
https://www.trucks.com/2017/05/31/se...k-driver-jobs/

[Cold Pizza]

In addition to trucking we're on the way to self-driving pizza delivery cars. Testing is happening now.

On the bright side, if you're in the US, you don't have to leave a tip.

One never thought a pizza delivery driver could his/her job to automation - but it will happen (to some).

Domino’s and Ford will test self-driving pizza delivery cars

But the car won’t be driving itself
by Amar Toor and Tamara Warren Aug 29, 2017


photo: Ford Motor Company

Ford and Domino’s Pizza are teaming up to test self-driving pizza delivery cars in Michigan, as part of an effort to better understand how customers respond to and interact with autonomous vehicles.

In the coming weeks, randomly selected Domino’s customers in Ann Arbor, Michigan will have the option to accept pizza deliveries from a Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous research vehicle. But the car won’t be driving itself.

EACH CAR WILL BE DRIVEN BY A FORD SAFETY ENGINEER
Each car will be driven by a Ford safety engineer, with other researchers onboard, who will zero in on the last 50 feet of the customer experience.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/29/1...lf-driving-car

[VocalNeal]

The beginning of the end

For most things... Humans will "efficiency" themselves out of existence.

[jabir]

Should confuse the muggers.

[david44]

Tough break for hedgehogs and should it ever happen here zombie drivers may upset the street pooches

[BaitongBoy]

^ Welcome back, David...

[Cold Pizza]

I'll put this here. The policy-makers are speeding things up for automated-cars.

AUGUST 31, 2017
House to vote on self-driving car legislation next week
David Shepardson

(Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on a sweeping proposal to speed the deployment of self-driving cars without human controls and bar states from blocking autonomous vehicles, congressional aides said.

House to vote on self-driving car legislation next week | Reuters