However, the commercial viability of autonomous trucking is still uncertain. While trucking has a higher cost per driver compared to robotaxis and a consistent supply chain of potential customers, it remains relatively untested from a commercial standpoint. Meanwhile, Aurora is set for a commercial launch next year, having demonstrated its ability to remove the driver from trucks driving between Dallas and Houston, Texas. The company believes its software could eventually be applied to cars. Stack AV has not announced plans to apply its technology to cars, but Salesky described trucking as a good entry point for AVs.
Key takeaways:
- Industry veterans Bryan Salesky, Peter Rander and Brett Browning have pivoted from self-driving cars to self-driving trucks, indicating the difficulty of fully automating cars. They have launched a driverless truck company, Stack AV, which has secured an investment from SoftBank.
- Experts believe that automating trucks and transportation on highways is a more realistic goal for autonomous vehicles (AVs) than solving the general urban traffic automation problem. The trucking industry is seen as ripe for autonomy due to a shortage of drivers and increasing demand for truck-based shipping.
- Despite the potential, the commercial viability of autonomous trucking is still untested. Waymo, Google’s AV spinoff, shut down its trucking program to focus on robotaxis, which it sees as a more viable route to commercial success.
- While autonomous vehicles have the potential to improve safety and efficiency, the consequences of a single failure are much greater, especially for trucks. Therefore, a commitment to safety will be a key part of future regulatory approvals and positive public perception.