Reuben Ingber

Truckers, Look For A New Job…

There has been much hype over these self-driving cars over the last year or so. It was all kicked off by Google’s success in the space, which prompted many to ask, “Is it safe?”

Nevada set out to answer that question and the answer is yes. They have been testing these cars for a while and have passed a provision allowing them on the streets legally.

Although typical drivers and consumers are likely not going to see self-driving cars pedaled to them by their local dealer anytime soon, there are many immediate commercial uses. Think delivery vans and big rigs. Many truck drivers are paid for driving days, back to back, to carry cargo across the United States and back. Imagine if cargo could drive not only 14 hours a day, with a 30-minute break every 5 hours, but 24 hours a day, breaking only for gas. Imagine if cargo transporters could employ only a gas tank filler or pay a certain surcharge for a gas station employee to fill up each massive tank. That’s where we heading, and fast. It’s safer for the drivers and for the other vehicles that share the roads with trucks.

This is yet another example of technology displacing manual labor workers. The US can no longer rely on a brute work force for jobs. We need better programs and more benefits for technical trades and computer science.

It will likely take several years to happen, but this is an industry that will be disrupted. I think at the end of the day the dividends will pay off for the consumer, goods will move faster and cheaper across the country.

Source: mckaythomas