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Self-Driving Trucks Are Going to Hit Us Like a Human-Driven Truck
Medium ^ | 5/14/2015 | Scott Santens

Posted on 05/23/2015 7:29:36 PM PDT by RightGeek

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To: jsanders2001
There will be a heavy need for robotic service techs because you know they’re going to be breaking down a lot.

Nah. Nobody fixes anything. You'll just take the robot back to the Beijing Outlet Walmart for replacement [my keyboard is robotic and occasionally types the truth and I need to intervene.]

41 posted on 05/24/2015 12:47:48 AM PDT by FredZarguna (We are vain and we are blind/I hate people when they're not polite.)
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To: RightGeek
The map -- at least as far as Pennsylvania goes -- is 100% BS.

The PA Bureau of Labor and Industry's most recent stats show 5,819,300 non-farm jobs. Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities COMBINED account for a mere 253,400 jobs. That's 4.4%. I count 13 entire job categories that are larger than that, including manufacturing, right here in the so-called "rust belt." Non-teaching employment in local government alone employs twice as many as trucking, and Healthcare accounts for almost FIVE TIMES as many jobs as trucking.

Nope. Not buying it. Not in the least.

42 posted on 05/24/2015 1:22:20 AM PDT by FredZarguna (We are vain and we are blind/I hate people when they're not polite.)
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To: RightGeek

The map for Pennsylvania [and I suspect every other state anyone cares to check] is complete baloney. In the previous post I show just how hilariously exaggerated it is for my state. This isn’t a nation of truck drivers. Sorry, but it just won’t wash.


43 posted on 05/24/2015 1:24:04 AM PDT by FredZarguna (We are vain and we are blind/I hate people when they're not polite.)
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To: Bryanw92
The goal is "capitalism for the elites and socialism for the masses"

That's perfectly stated.

Back in Epcot when it first opened (early 1980s) in one of the futuristic displays, it portrayed a world where "10% of the people can do 90% of the work". The world imagined was a fantasy where all people had short work weeks, purposeful lives, and great comfort and leisure opportunities.

It isn't working that way. I'm wondering if the world is going in the direction of the elites having an evolving attitude of since the masses are in much larger a number than is necessary, it is desirable to have only necessary numbers of the masses, thus maximizing profits from sustaining them through socialistic programs.

44 posted on 05/24/2015 2:21:10 AM PDT by grania
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To: clearcarbon
Imagine trying to flag down a robot truck after sliding off a rural freeway on a freezing winter night.

Do people actually still attempt to "flag down" other vehicles when they have suffered a mishap?!

After all, it might be a "set-up" on the part of the alleged distressed party. Or the person who stops might be an unsavory type.

I would have thought that Standard Operating Procedure was to sit tight in your disabled vehicle and use your cell phone to hail for assistance from, e.g., the AAA.

Alternatively, your vehicle might itself broadcast an automatic distress signal to summon the authorities.

One might just as well lament that modern jets fly so high and fast that one can no longer "flag them down" like in the days of the old "Barnstormers."

If I've overlooked something: Forgive my ignorance! I've never acquired a driver's licence or a motor vehicle, and rely exclusively on public transportation.

Regards,

45 posted on 05/24/2015 2:54:45 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: FredZarguna
The map for Pennsylvania [and I suspect every other state anyone cares to check] is complete baloney. In the previous post I show just how hilariously exaggerated it is for my state. This isn’t a nation of truck drivers. Sorry, but it just won’t wash.

The above map is based upon statistics - and statistics are the tools of liars.

Like the "Contents" on a carton of "fruit drink" in which the ingredients are listed in order: Reconstituted fruit juices (6%), corn syrup (5%), glucose (5%), dextrose (5%), etc. - instead of "water, sugary substances (15%), fruit concentrate..."

This is simply a form of "gerrymandering" with the definitions of occupations. All you have to do is "split up" the other occupations (like dividing "farmers" into "wheat growers," "rice growers," "corn growers," "beet growers," etc.) until they are so small that "truck drivers" then remain as the biggest occupation.

Regards,

46 posted on 05/24/2015 3:03:20 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: jsanders2001
There will be a heavy need for robotic service techs because you know they’re going to be breaking down a lot.

If you spill coffee onto your keyboard, or accidentally smash your mouse, or if your $80 laser printer breaks down, do you have it repaired? Or do you simply buy a new one? Which option is more cost-effective? Is there even a repair shop nearby that would accept the job of repairing it?

This is the trend of the future.

Regards,

47 posted on 05/24/2015 3:08:13 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: who_would_fardels_bear
[...] the state will have interposed itself into virtually every financial transaction.

Whew! Sure am glad that that hasn't happened yet! /s

Regards,

48 posted on 05/24/2015 3:10:28 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: alexander_busek

< If we have a post-scarcity economy, and if human labor is no longer so essential for much of production, what will it look like? I think there are a number of POSSIBLE solutions to this — but I fear that a lot of “do-gooders” will smugly say “the solution is more socialism”. I would really like to see people push for any other solution. But the “basic income” thing will appeal to many people.

You’re no talking about a $30 keyboard or $20 mouse here. We can buy those cheap. Trucks even sans driver’s seats, radios, or AC are still going to be quite expensive. You’re going to need techs to maintain them plus driverless vehicles is pn’t a cincept that’s been fully implemented on a wide scale. All kinds of problems that were unanticipated may arise.


49 posted on 05/24/2015 3:33:38 AM PDT by jsanders2001
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To: alexander_busek

< If we have a post-scarcity economy, and if human labor is no longer so essential for much of production, what will it look like? I think there are a number of POSSIBLE solutions to this — but I fear that a lot of “do-gooders” will smugly say “the solution is more socialism”. I would really like to see people push for any other solution. But the “basic income” thing will appeal to many people.

You’re not talking about a $30 keyboard or $20 mouse here. We can buy those cheap. Trucks even sans driver’s seats, radios, or AC are still going to be quite expensive. You’re going to need techs to maintain them plus driverless vehicles is pn’t a cincept that’s been fully implemented on a wide scale. All kinds of problems that were unanticipated may arise.


50 posted on 05/24/2015 3:43:42 AM PDT by jsanders2001
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To: RightGeek

Driverless trucks need to be fueled.
Driverless trucks will operate more hours with far less idle, so repairs and maintenance will be different from today.

We will have pilotless passenger aircraft.

We will have driverless taxis.

This is unstoppable.

If gov’t tries to slow it, other markets will do it and blow past us, leaving this nation economically behind which will have a far greater impact on jobs.


51 posted on 05/24/2015 3:46:27 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (President Walker - Attorney General Cruz (enforcing immigration laws for real))
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To: RightGeek

I wouldn’t worry too much. We don’t even have self-driving trains yet, and they run on tracks.

Trucks have to navigate on public roads and take into account things like construction zones, pedestrians, potholes, and other unpredictable drivers.

Ain’t gonna happen for a very long time.


52 posted on 05/24/2015 3:53:15 AM PDT by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: RightGeek

Just a thought...

How would an EMP attack effect autonomous vehicles?


53 posted on 05/24/2015 4:13:04 AM PDT by The Working Man
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To: adorno
We’d end up with fewer parking lots and tiny parking garages at airports and shopping centers. We might even end up with houses being built with no garages or driveways.

Interesting thoughts. You might be right. We could just use something like the Uber app to request an autonomous car when needed. It becomes an on-request chauffeur. I own a car, but only drive it a few times on the weekend. If such vehicles existed would I need my own car? Likely not.

54 posted on 05/24/2015 4:41:54 AM PDT by Flick Lives ("I can't believe it's not Fascism!")
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To: driftdiver

So far...


55 posted on 05/24/2015 5:08:23 AM PDT by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Francis)
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To: Pelham

I love that.


56 posted on 05/24/2015 5:12:10 AM PDT by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Francis)
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To: RightGeek

One word - Hastings.


57 posted on 05/24/2015 5:33:07 AM PDT by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: RightGeek

The self-driving automobile can wait! What I need is a self-driving lawn tractor that will neatly and accurately mow my pasture and lawn automatically as needed and pass wifey’s approval (my standards and timing aren’t quite as high).

BTW, self-driving automobiles will have to overcome various inputs from back-seat drivers and others who suddenly and often change their minds while in-transit. See paragraph above for further explanation.

Finally, those people living in the hinterlands may have fewer truck-related jobs but they can always open private rest stops and charge patrons for bathroom services to earn a living. People still have to crap and many do while in-transit. Some just get excited watching the scenery. (And Texas is a BIG state with lots to see).

Just trying to help...Have a nice Memorial Day!


58 posted on 05/24/2015 6:19:14 AM PDT by Texicanus (Texas, it's like a whole 'nother country.)
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To: RightGeek

The basic assumption is fallacious. The fallacy is that all trucks will become driver less and that all roads are equal.

As almost always, extrapolation to extreme results in foolish results

The fact is that auto trucks will be limited to interstates and terminals located at interstate exits. Trailers dropped at these terminals will then be worked by real drivers.

The primary result will be the elimination of union drivers working for the remaining large long distance companies.


59 posted on 05/24/2015 6:28:19 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc.;+12, 73, ..... No peace? then no peace!)
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To: RightGeek
Late last year, I took a road trip with my partner from our home in New Orleans...

In the first sentence, he announces that he's either a fornicator or a sodomite.

60 posted on 05/24/2015 6:46:07 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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