3 ms·
I'd also add that virtually the only compelling reason to have a single, large load like a big rig is to minimize the cost of a human driver relative to payload
by tyrw 9y ago
I'd also add that virtually the only compelling reason to have a single, large load like a big rig is to minimize the cost of a human driver relative to payload shipped. Without a driver, the optimal load size will likely be much different and will vary more by industry than it does today.
- mdorazio 9y agoYes and no. Cost of fuel is also a big factor. A big rig is typically running about 6 MPG, and for lighter loads that doesn't change very much if you're hauling a half-size or full-size container. Sending two trucks means burning twice as much fuel, which could easily be hundreds of dollars. But definitely that's less of a factor with an electric truck since the charging cost will be a lot lower than a comparable amount of fuel.
- tyrw 9y agoCost of fuel will also be greatly reduced for the use cases within electric range: - Removing the driver allows for more aerodynamic cab configuration, or no cab at all - Electric motors are more efficient, particularly in high-torque / low-rpm environment - Massive & inefficient 18-speed gearbox can be avoided - Cost of fuel itself (electricity) is much cheaper
- patrickg_zill 9y agoI think the bigger savings will come in being able to precisely control stops, starts, and turning, which will both minimize damage to the road surface and lengthen tire life. ISTR a case where a large open pit mine bought GPS-driven trucks and saved a great deal just from longer tire life (each tire was $20K).
- derefr 9y agoRe: gearbox, I wonder whether an autonomous truck could be paired with a little scouting drone to "look ahead" at things like blind corners or stop-and-go traffic, to allow the truck enough foreknowledge to gear up and down more gradually.
- rgbrenner 9y agoIf anything, wouldn't the loads get larger.. since you could build trailers with more sensors, allowing more trailers to be attached to the same tractor... minimizing energy/fuel cost. One tractor carrying larger loads is going to be more efficient than many small trucks with smaller loads: total weight over payload. A human being can only safely handle so much cargo, and that's probably lower than could be automated.
- JBReefer 9y agoThe limit on truck size isn't because of human driving capacity, it's because road damage scales as the fourth power of axle weight. Trucks already do the vast majority of damage to our infrastructure, increasing the weight more would literally take down some older bridges.
- rgbrenner 9y agoI was referring to more trailers like this: http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/macneil/2004/mar/mar23/watkins_t2.jpg http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/macneil/2004/ma... That doesn't require an increase in axle weight
- stock_toaster 9y agoI seem to recall hearing that some states have restrictions on trailer count. Presumably due to road safety issues.
- fpgaminer 9y agoHmmm, I'm not sure the equation is so obvious. If you don't have a driver, then the vehicle amounts to just a couple motors, batteries, and sensor arrays. It doesn't make a difference if the battery is located in the front "truck" part of the convoy, or whether it's distributed throughout the trailers. For a very long chain of trailers, you probably want a set of motors for every trailer right? And as you've speculated, there's going to be a sensor array in every trailer. So basically, you have motors in every trailer, batteries in every trailer, and sensors in every trailer. At that point ... why do you need a "truck" on the front and/or why are they connected at all?