Autonomous Trucks
California regulators are considering revoking the current ban in the state on autonomous heavy-duty trucks operating on public roads, but several parties are pushing hard for legislation that requires a safety driver to be in the cab of any autonomous vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Specifically, the California Labor Federation and several Teamsters locals pointed to safety concerns and job losses if heavy-duty autonomous trucks are allowed on Californian roads without a driver, as per Automotive News. Both points seem valid, as we've already seen the chaos that can unfold when a small autonomous hatchback like the Chevrolet Bolt EV doesn't perform as expected; those hazards increase in severity with a large, heavy-duty truck. Besides, it seems premature to allow autonomous trucks on our roads in light of the fact that Level 3 semi-autonomous technology has only just begun to make its way into the States for normal light vehicles.