Technology
Commercial freight transportation businesses rely on data, intelligence, and novel solutions for operational efficiency. Transport Topics technology coverage investigates available technologies, real-world applications of business solutions, and the strategies necessary for advancement. News topics focus on the latest applied science, and issues range from autonomous vehicle and robotics innovations to management software, tracking and transparency, data analytics, blockchain, and the internet of things.
Capitol Agenda for the Week of Feb. 27: We The Rural States
During a Feb. 26 meeting with the governors, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao acknowledged public-private partnerships are unlikely to work well for small town USA.
Letters: Entry-Level Driver Training; Accident Reporting
This week's letters present thoughts on the entry-level driver-training proposal and on sharing accident data.
February 27, 2017UPS Tests Drone That Uses Delivery Truck as Its Home Base
UPS Inc. completed a successful test of a truck-mounted delivery drone at a Florida blueberry farm last week, demonstrating how unmanned aerial devices might be used as part of the company’s residential delivery service and as a way to cut costs by reducing the number of miles traveled by UPS trucks to make deliveries in rural locations.
ATA Voices Support for New NACV Show
American Trucking Associations will be a supporter of the new North American Commercial Vehicle Show that debuts in Atlanta on Sept. 25-29.
Tech Startup Joins Push for Driverless Trucks
A new technology company has joined the race to develop autonomous driving systems for commercial trucks.
Otto Accused of Stealing Google's Self-Driving Secrets
It took Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo seven years to design and build a laser-scanning system to guide its self-driving cars. Uber Technologies Inc. allegedly did it in nine months. Waymo claims in a lawsuit filed Feb. 23 that was possible because an ex-employee, Anthony Levandowski, co-founder of Uber-owned Otto, stole the designs and technology and started a new company.
Embark Enters Race to Develop Autonomous Trucks
A new technology company has joined the race to develop autonomous driving systems for commercial trucks. Embark, a startup based in San Mateo, California, is working to build self-driving technology that would allow trucks to run on highways with no human input.
Editorial: Young Minds, New Roads
Coming soon to a theater near you: How to build roads and bridges. The American Society of Civil Engineers last week screened a documentary titled, “Dream Big: Engineering Our World,” which spotlights efforts to encourage young people to pursue careers in engineering. Included in that mix are bridge and road design, fields that — if recent data are any indication — will require expertise for years to come.
February 20, 2017Capitol Agenda for the Week of Feb. 13: Keep It Moving
Two congressional hearings this month called into question the potential benefits of private capital in advancing infrastructure projects. Here's the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.
Autonomous Vehicles to Run on Data
The financial arm of computing firm Intel is investing $250 million in autonomous vehicle technology, targeting three areas that the company’s leader believes will place Intel at the forefront of an approaching wave of change in transportation.
February 10, 2017