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To: discostu

a car needs one single rooftop device. semis by their size and height differences would need several more.


96 posted on 05/26/2014 5:58:48 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

In a semi, you don’t just drive the nose like a car. We are more concerned about the back of the trailer, as it does not directly follow the tractor. The longer the trailer, the larger the offset between the two. That’s why we make such wide turns. Especially right turns, as it is against the law to run over curbs.

A tractor trailer would require one unit on the cab and two on the trailer. Plus a way to connect them reliably - and also be compatible with every other trailer in the company.

Plus sensors for wheel spin in adverse conditions, automated connections for air and hydraulic lines, motors to raise and lower the landing gear on the trailer, sensors to ensure all of it was connected/disconnected properly, etc.

Imagine a computer deciding when it was ok to drive into on oncoming traffic in order to clear a trailer in a turn. Empty trailers have little or no traction when braking - emergency stop? Not.

The number of fatalities would make all the automation folks wish for the old days. And the costs of goods delivered would skyrocket. Because everything gets there by truck. Everything.


100 posted on 05/26/2014 6:12:38 PM PDT by datura (We have a 2 party system. Conservatives vs Uniparty)
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