What Self-Driving Trucks Mean For Mobile Truck Repair
Self-Driving Trucks Have Arrived
Self-driving trucks have been all of the buzz over the last couple of months in the trucking industry. The first self-driving commercial truck has been licensed to hit the public roads in the state of Nevada. As one might imagine, there are a lot of questions about what this means for jobs, fleet managers and any business that operates in the transportation industry. Let’s take a closer look at what these self-driving trucks are all about and what it means for mobile truck repair and maintenance.
Introducing the Self-Driving Freightliner Truck
From the Freightliner Newsoom:
“In a spectacular evening ceremony at Hoover Dam, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) unveiled the Freightliner Inspiration Truck to several hundred international news media, trucking industry analysts and officials.
The Freightliner Inspiration Truck is the first licensed autonomous commercial truck to operate on an open public highway in the United States. Developed by engineers at DTNA, it promises to unlock autonomous vehicle advancements that reduce accidents, improve fuel consumption, cut highway congestion, and safeguard the environment.
Putting the Freightliner Inspiration Truck on the road is an historic day for Daimler Trucks and the North American trucking industry,” said Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG Daimler Trucks & Buses. “Our team has done a marvelous job in bringing this breakthrough technology to the road.”
What We Know
Let’s get one thing clear, the Freightliner Inspiration is a test vehicle in the early stages of implementation. It’s going to take years and millions of miles before testing will be complete enough to begin rolling these out on a widespread basis. This testing includes making sure the truck can operate and handle adverse weather conditions over long periods of time and could take up to a decade.
One of the initial reactions from the industry was that self-driving vehicles would mean cutting truck driving jobs across the board. It appears to be very clear that there will always be a need to a licensed (CDL) driver on board to perform the many other duties that are required of the job. In fact, the self-driving truck and all its amenities might make truck driving jobs more attractive by creating a more modern work environment for the drivers.
What About Mobile Truck Repair?
Self-driving trucks or not, there will always be a need for repair and maintenance. And when it comes to service, mobile truck repair and maintenance will always be the most convenient, cost effective option. Dickinson Fleet Services has made the commitment to stay up to date with the latest technology available. Whether it’s rolling out an updated mobile maintenance truck or introducing an app that makes it easy to schedule service, we are looking to make advancements from all angles. By keeping a pulse on the industry, we’re able to keep our technicians trained and equipped to do their job as efficiently as possible which means better service for our customers.
