As the trucking industry develops, one question keeps coming up: why are companies investing in technology like autonomous cars if they might someday replace human drivers? It is reasonable to worry about the future of your employment, but it is important to remember that autonomous vehicles are not intended to take the place of people on the road; rather, they are designed to improve efficiency and safety. Tractors equipped with autonomous technology cannot operate without a driver within the cab, just as an aircraft cannot fly on autopilot without a pilot in the cockpit.
The fleet of more than 20,000 trucks owned by Knight-Swift includes a lot of autonomous vehicle technology. Nonetheless, their CEO, David Jackson, insists they are not giving up on their primary objective of hiring and assisting truck drivers due to this investment. In fact, according to David Jackson, their ability to attract, develop, and retain truck drivers gives them a competitive edge.
Why should we invest in autonomous vehicle technology?
According to Jackson, Knight-Swift places a high focus on safety, where autonomous cars come into play. Autonomous cars can drastically decrease unnecessary traffic accidents thanks to technology that can identify and evaluate things up to 300 yards in the future. This results in better working conditions for truck drivers and safer roadways for all users.
Knight-Swift has joined Embark, a business specializing in autonomous vehicle technology, to test and develop its technology on public roads. Although Knight-Swift is not testing completely driverless cars, they are evaluating various parts of the technology to better understand its potential effects on efficiency and safety.
It is important to remember that using autonomous vehicle technology does not supplant the need for human drivers. Instead, the focus should be on how to employ technology to improve road efficiency and safety. As Jackson points out, autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to significantly enhance truck drivers’ working circumstances, which would be beneficial to all parties.
In conclusion, human drivers will not be rendered obsolete even if the trucking sector is evolving. Technology for autonomous vehicles has the potential to significantly improve road safety and productivity, which is advantageous for everyone concerned. Knight-Swift made a wise decision by investing in this technology because it understands the value of innovation in a field that is always changing.