class=”story”>
Business
Содержание статьи:
Will technology provide a boost to truck drivers — or will it replace them? November 24, 20255:00 AM ET
A Volvo Autonomous Solutions truck is seen at Aurora South Dallas Terminal in Palmer, Texas. Desiree Rios for NPR hide caption
toggle caption Desiree Rios for NPR
The American economy depends on truckers. Their big rigs ferry food, fuel and countless other goods around the country. But it’s also a dangerous and exhausting job, simultaneously stressful and monotonous.
“I say it’s the last honest job,” says Aaron Isaacs, a truck driver in California. “Because you come out here and you earn your money.”
Technology is promising to transform this industry. New driver-assistance features are meant to make the job safer and less demanding. But some companies are taking technology a step farther, and piloting fully autonomous trucks that replace drivers altogether.
So drivers like Isaacs want to know: Will technology make their jobs easier, or take them away?
Sponsor Message
A big rig that’s all about the driver
This fall, Volvo Trucks invited journalists to a closed track in South Carolina to test out their redesigned Volvo VNL, a long-haul truck. As NPR’s car reporter, I’ve test-driven cars and pickups — but never an 18-wheeler. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I climbed way, way up behind the wheel.
A view of the front of the cab of a Volvo VNL truck. Camila Domonoske/NPR hide caption
toggle caption Camila Domonoske/NPR
The bouncing of the air suspension seat took a little getting used to. So did the slight sway of the cab as it pulled 72,000 pounds of cargo into motion. But actually driving the thing was a breeze.
Technology
Is the future of trucking a better truck?
Future of trucking PART ONE
Listen · 4:04 4:04 Transcript Toggle more options
- Download
- Transcript
