The article also highlights the lack of engagement between autonomous trucking companies and labor groups, with many feeling left out of the conversation. Despite some companies taking steps to address labor concerns, such as Aurora working with colleges to train new operators with skills specific to autonomous trucking, labor groups argue that more needs to be done to address job displacement concerns. The article concludes by suggesting that the launch of fully driverless trucks next year could be a defining moment for the technology, with companies facing a high bar to overcome labor opposition and convince the public that autonomous trucks will make American highways safer.
Key takeaways:
- Companies in the autonomous trucking space are preparing to launch fully autonomous trucks, with Aurora Innovation planning to deploy 20 fully autonomous trucks next year and Kodiak Robotics planning to launch driverless trucks in 2024.
- Despite claims of safety and efficiency, the prospect of sharing the road with robotically controlled 18-wheelers continues to alarm labor groups and the public. Polling found that close to 80 percent of likely voters in California would be uncomfortable with heavy driverless trucks on roads and freeways.
- Labor organizations and truck drivers have expressed concerns about job displacement due to autonomous trucking. A 2018 study from the UC Berkeley Labor Center found that roughly 294,000 long-distance drivers could be displaced by autonomous technology.
- Companies face a high bar to overcome labor opposition and convince drivers that autonomous trucks will make American highways safer. The launch of fully driverless trucks on America's roads next year could be definitive for the technology.