Autonomous

About Autonomous News...

Autonomous technologies now drive significant change in trucking and freight transportation. Transport Topics autonomous coverage provides a comprehensive look at that change. It provides the latest details on deployment concepts such as advanced driver-assist systems, transfer hubs, teleoperations, platooning and off-road automation and latest analysis of the companies who are manufacturing, adopting and investing in these technologies. Readers can follow the impact such deployment has on everything from policy and infrastructure initiatives to highway congestion, fuel consumption, fleet management, driver management and business investment.

Business, Technology, Autonomous

Uber Contemplates Outside Investors for Autonomous Car Unit

Uber Technologies Inc. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said it was “possible” the ride-hailing giant would look for outside investors for its self-driving car unit, but isn’t currently searching for backers.

January 23, 2019
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Tesla Reduces Model S, Model X Production Hours; Shares Drop

Tesla Inc. reduced the amount of hours it is producing Model S sedans and Model X crossovers, adding to concerns about demand for the electric-car maker’s higher-priced and more profitable vehicles. Shares dropped on the news.

January 23, 2019
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Amazon to Test Delivery Robots on Seattle-Area Sidewalks

Amazon.com will use robots to deliver packages in the suburbs north of Seattle, its latest experiment to automate the last mile of delivery that is a labor-intensive and costly component of buying products online.

January 23, 2019
Business, Technology, Fuel, Autonomous

Waymo Announces Plan for Autonomous-Vehicle Factory in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. — Google self-driving car spinoff Waymo said Jan. 22 that it will bring a factory to Michigan, creating up to 400 jobs at what it describes as the world’s first plant “100%” dedicated to the mass production of autonomous vehicles.

David Eggert and Tom Krisher | Associated Press
January 23, 2019
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Developers Seek to Advance Truck Platooning Through Higher Automation, Global Demonstrations

WASHINGTON — Truck platooning has not yet advanced beyond the testing and development stage, but proponents and developers of the technology continue to explore ways to eventually deploy it in real-world freight operations.

Seth Clevenger | Managing Editor, Features and Multimedia
January 23, 2019
Government, Business, Technology, Safety, Autonomous

Autonomous Technology Promises Safety Benefits, TRB Speakers Say

WASHINGTON — While the debut of automated vehicles in the marketplace remains years away, the technology already available has the potential of improving safety for commercial drivers, officials and experts at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board here said.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 23, 2019
Government, Business, Technology, Autonomous

Capitol Agenda for the Week of Jan. 21: Autonomous Anxiety

Why don't consumers trust autonomous vehicles? Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao says it's partly because manufacturers need to do a better job explaining the vehicles' capabilities. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
January 22, 2019
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Germany’s Mercedes-Benz Plans Assembly Plant in Egypt

BERLIN — German automaker Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Cars unit says it is developing plans to open an assembly plant in Egypt.

January 18, 2019
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous

Presence of Autonomous Vehicles Felt in US

WASHINGTON — Technology is changing the transportation landscape as freight carriers move toward self-driving vehicles and public officials look for new ways to develop infrastructure and prepare for what could be a major shift in traffic patterns and driving behavior.

Daniel P. Bearth | Staff Writer
January 17, 2019
Government, Business, Technology, Logistics, Autonomous

Parcel Lockers, EVs Combine for Energy Savings in Final Mile, Researcher Says

WASHINGTON — Electric trucks and vans show great promise for energy savings in making suburban deliveries for companies such as UPS Inc., according to an Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientist who presented her findings to a forum at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting.

Jim Stinson | Staff Reporter
January 16, 2019