The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation recently held a hearing to examine the benefits and drawbacks of autonomous truck technology. Unlike normal trucks that are operated by human drivers, autonomous trucks use advanced sensors to monitor the road and can run without mandated stops for rest and sleep.
During the hearing, legislators and industry experts discussed how to legislate autonomous trucks. Although some believe that autonomous trucks should be regulated in the same way as other types of autonomous vehicles, others think a new set of standards should be created for the commercial transportation industry. Here's a breakdown of some of the topics that were brought up during the hearing:
- Safety – Advanced sensors and cameras could help reduce accidents, but some legislators are worried about how surrounding traffic might react to driver-less tasks.
- Employment – Autonomous trucks have potential to replace human drivers, and some legislators are hesitant to move forward with a technology that may eliminate jobs.
- Cyber Security – Hackers could potentially infiltrate an automated truck's system to steal information, or even use the vehicle as a weapon.
