Whatever Happened to the Self Driving Semi?

itcanthink.substack.com

3 pointsdanso6 comments

Predictions on when we get them? More expensive / complicated than the short range taxis. Waymo getting pretty good but not highway yet. So maybe 5-10 years?

But surely highway driving is an easier problem to solve than city driving. No cross traffic, very gentle curves, very few traffic controls, generally better maintained roads and lane markings, etc.

I imagine last mile has a number of city type issues?

For a fully laden truck at 65 mph in ideal conditions stopping distance is 600 feet. Higher in worse conditions.

A good LIDAR can range 1000 feet in ideal conditions. Less in worse conditions.

No, it's not an easier problem.

In most of my state, the speed limit for trucks is 55, not 65. Even so, your point is a very good one.

Man: Rabbi, is there a proper blessing for the Self Driving Semi?

Rabbi: Indeed, there is! May the Lord bless and keep the Self Driving Semi -- far away from us!

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