Autonomous truck finishes a historic driverless delivery across Texas

A fully autonomous Bot Auto truck completed a commercial delivery across a Texas highway on April 29. This driverless 18-wheeler drove from Houston to Dallas because Bot Auto wanted to test how such a vehicle performed in the dark.

At 1:16 AM in Houston, the Bot Auto truck began its drive. After traveling for 231 miles, the truck safely arrived in Dallas at around 5:00 AM. This truck actually carried an item a customer paid for in a commercial delivery!

The whole journey was handled by the truck’s onboard AI system, which included eight sensors, as well as 15 high-definition cameras. The cameras provided a 360-degree view of the road. This consistent data system allowed the truck’s onboard computers to sense hazards up to 1,640 feet ahead. The truck slows down immediately when faced with a dangerous situation, and gives more room for nearby vehicles to avoid accidents.

Giving an example of this autonomous vehicle making safe choices, DOGO News states: “At one point, a speeding motorcyclist cut sharply in front of the vehicle. The sudden move might have caused an accident if a human had been driving. But the autonomous system avoided a collision by instantly changing its position within the lane.”

This successful trip raised concerns that the new technology could eliminate truck driving jobs nationwide. On the other hand, advocates say that truck drivers often become worn out during long trips, as being tired increases dangerous risks and late deliveries. According to Sarah U, “Bot Auto estimates that its self-driving trucks cost about $1.89 per mile to operate. This is about half the estimated $3.78 per mile for human-driven deliveries.”

Confirming these claims means lower shipping fees and a revolutionized trucking market.