Autonomous
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.
Tesla Faces Increase in Complaints Over ‘Phantom Braking’
Tesla Inc. is facing stepped-up scrutiny from U.S. regulators who have received 758 complaints of cars made by the company that suddenly brake at high speeds, more than double the number of reported incidents earlier this year.
Tesla Pauses Hiring, Musk Says Need to Cut Staff by 10%
Electric carmaker Tesla Inc. needs to cut staff by around 10%, CEO Elon Musk said, noting he had a “super bad feeling” about the economy, according to an internal email seen by Reuters.
California Regulators Approve State’s First Robotic Taxi Fleet
California regulators on June 2 gave a robotic taxi service the green light to begin charging passengers for driverless rides in San Francisco, a first in a state where dozens of companies have been trying to train vehicles to steer themselves on increasingly congested roads.
ATA Leader Chris Spear Doesn’t See Automation as Threat to Drivers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said he doesn’t view the ongoing advancement of autonomous trucking as a threat to drivers, since economic factors will ensure demand for drivers for years to come.
Futurist Outlines What Could Be Ahead for Driver Recruiting
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Futurist Nikolas Badminton explored June 2 how the trucking industry could change in the years ahead and what that means when it comes to driver recruitment.
Elon Musk’s Boring Co. Pitched Texas on Tunnels for Cars, People, Water
Before the end of Year One of the COVID-19 pandemic, Elon Musk did something a lot of other people were doing at the same time: He moved. Once in Texas, several of his business ventures followed, including Boring Co., a startup seeking to create underground transportation systems.
Ford Delivers First Electric F-150
Nicholas Schmidt of Standish, Mich., became owner No. 1 of Ford Motor Co.’s first electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning.
Walmart Expands Drone Delivery in Six States
Walmart soon will expand its drone delivery program across six states: Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Drone hubs will be set up at 34 sites by the end of the year.
Aurora, FedEx Expand Texas Autonomous Routes
Aurora Innovation Inc. and FedEx have expanded their autonomous trucking partnership to include freight hauling between terminals in Fort Worth and El Paso, Texas.
Hacker Finds Way to Unlock Tesla Models, Start Cars
Tesla Inc. customers might love the carmakers’ nifty keyless entry system, but one cybersecurity researcher has demonstrated how the same technology could allow thieves to drive off with certain models of the electric vehicles.