The Future Of Freight Has Arrived With The Launch Of Driverless Trucks

The autonomous vehicle industry has soared even higher with driverless trucks being sent off on journeys. On the first of week of June, The Guardian reported a convoy of six semi-automated trucks' completion of a European cross-border trip. The trip started from the trucks' production bases in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden and finished the journey in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Image source: thefuturesagency.com

This so-called “truck platooning” allows trucks to drive autonomously while following the leading truck's route and speed through a wireless technology. A human driver drove the leading truck. Despite the technology that allows the trucks to maintain a speed and route set by the leading truck, regulations still required human drivers to be in each truck. The trucks were developed by various brands such as Volvo and Daimler, among others. What are the benefits that driverless trucks can offer to the trucking industry and to the economy?

Truck platooning promises lower fuel consumption. It allows the trucks to drive faster and closer to each other, resulting in a shorter time of trip completion. Research finds that truck platooning uses up to 10 percent less fuel.

In addition, deploying autonomous cars provides more space for other vehicles and eases the flow of traffic. Since these trucks are automated, distractions cannot affect them. Hence, they can maintain speed and use the brakes efficiently. They could boost traffic safety and reduce the surging number of truck accidents in the country. Productivity will also increase as autonomous cars can operate nearly 24 hours in the future, which will double the transportation network output.

Image source: uk.news.yahoo.com

Indeed, human beings' vision of having artificial intelligence drive vehicles is rapidly becoming a reality this century.

A skilled investor and entrepreneur, Fred. B. Barbara has grown a small trucking business into a multimillion dollar enterprise. He is currently a board member in various companies such as Millennium Trust Company and Evergreen Environmental Energy. Follow this Twitter account for updates on investment and entrepreneurship.

The 379 and the W900: Two of the Most Iconic Trucks in History

Millions upon millions of trucks comprise the trucking industry. Over the past century, a few models have managed to leave a lasting impression on the American psyche, becoming symbols of power and endurance on the expressways of the United States. Let’s take a look at two of the most iconic long-haul trucks in history:

Peterbilt 379
Peterbilt is a California-based truck manufacturer that specializes in making Class 5 to Class 8 trucks. The Peterbilt 379 was first unveiled in 1987 and has since become the centerpiece of the company. Truck experts refer to this as the quintessential American truck. The engines 379 had under its hood were some of the most powerful of any highway vehicle. Fun fact: Optimus Prime in the first three of Michael Bay’s “Transformers” movies is actually a Peterbilt 379.

Image source: wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

  
Kenworth W900
Kenworth is an American-Australian company that is widely considered to be Peterbilt’s main rival in the truck manufacturing industry. The company’s W900 model is its premiere model, and has been a favorite among Class 8 trucks for many years. It has an aerodynamic design which complements its 625hp engine. If the Peterbilt 379 was made into a Transformer, the Kenworth W900 was used by James Bond in the famous climactic truck duel scene from “License to Kill.”

Image source: wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

  
Fred B. Barbara started his trucking company when he was 18. He sold the company for over $58 million in 1997. Today, Barbara is part of the board of directors of Millennium Trust Company, Evergreen Private Bank, Evergreen Environmental Energy, and Belmont Bank & Trust Company. For more discussion on making sound investments, follow his Twitter account.