Whats happening with middle-mile autonomous trucks?
This seems like an easy win. A lower technical barrier. Cost advantages (especially with e-trucks and slower/automatic charging).
Why is no company taking this market? Certainly no one with a tesla/nikola buzz.
Yes, It does look more doable. I see many small truck pads where double trailers are driven off the interstate and parked - then a local driver(or two) come and decouple the pair and then locally deliver on the smaller roads. The driver who dropped them then picks up a pair of trailers to head down the line - or back?
The mechanics of automating the hauler to drop and then pick up another pair seem simple. splitting the pair, letting down the legs, and building a new pair must now be done manually, air/power connections are done manually.
The robo-truck needs to stop, set the air brakes, let down the legs automatically(now done manually) and pull forward and maneuver to pickup up and connect the next pair - with auto legs-up and air power connect and push into the third wheel connector. I suspect this is being perfected as we speak, it is so logical?
How is it a lower technical barrier?