Self-driving trucks can be a reality before self-driving cars

Disclaimer: Picture for representation purposes only.

Silicon Valley may be going gaga over self-driving cars, but getting autonomous cars on the road will take a while.

However, while the Valley tries to get the equation right for small consumer vehicles, one startup is betting big on getting huge big-rig trucks to drive themselves. Yes, imagine driving on a highway late at night, and see one of those HUGE trucks, but with no one behind the wheel.

Led by 15 former Googlers, Otto boasts of major names from Google’s self-driving car and maps projects, and they want to make the commercial trucking industry driver-less. They think it’ll be easier to convince financiers and regulators that way.

The biggest challenge for the adoption of self-driving tech is affordability. Adding a laser sensor like the one on Google’s cars cost over $75,000. However, as a big tractor-trailer truck can cost over $150,000, they think it makes more sense.

While its true that letting the truck take the wheel while the driver rests might make the business much easier, its potential as a job killer can’t be ignored too. There’s also the concern that small towns that thrive from supporting truck drivers will also suffer.

However, before any of this can happen, business owners need to have a realistic price they don’t have to break the bank for.

Image Source