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Autonomous trucks are gaining widespread support globally, with many people expecting these vehicles to become part of daily life soon. A recent mobility study conducted by Continental across five countries highlights growing confidence in the benefits of self-driving trucks, such as easing traffic congestion and addressing the driver shortage in the transport sector. However, safety concerns remain a significant issue, particularly in certain regions.
Key Highlights:
- Widespread acceptance: Many people in Germany, the USA, China, Japan, and France believe autonomous trucks will become a reality soon.
- Traffic benefits: Nearly half of Germans expect fewer traffic jams due to autonomous trucks improving traffic flow.
- Driver shortage: Around 60% of German respondents see driverless trucks as a solution to the shortage of drivers in the logistics industry.
- Safety concerns: While many embrace the technology, 60-70% of respondents in some countries have reservations about the safety of autonomous trucks.
- Global differences: Confidence in autonomous truck safety is much higher in China, where 62% of respondents believe these trucks are safer than human-driven ones.
- Partnership for innovation: Continental and Aurora plan to launch the world’s first scalable autonomous truck system in the U.S. by 2027.
Growing Support for Self-Driving Trucks
According to Continental’s 2024 Mobility Study, conducted by infas, autonomous trucks are increasingly seen as a realistic and beneficial development. The study surveyed 5,000 individuals in five countries, including Germany, the U.S., China, Japan, and France, about their views on driverless trucks and mobility. The results show that acceptance levels vary, with 47% of Germans expecting autonomous trucks to soon become a reality. This sentiment is even stronger in the U.S. and China, where 62% and 92% of respondents, respectively, believe that these trucks will be introduced shortly.
Benefits to Traffic and Logistics
Respondents expect several concrete benefits from the introduction of autonomous trucks. In Germany, 47% believe self-driving trucks will ease highway congestion, leading to fewer traffic jams. Additionally, almost 60% of respondents think autonomous trucks will help alleviate the ongoing shortage of drivers in the transport industry, which is particularly acute in Germany, where the sector faces a shortfall of 70,000 drivers as of 2023.
Philipp von Hirschheydt, a member of Continental’s Automotive group, emphasized the importance of autonomous trucks: “The benefits of autonomous trucks are already being seen worldwide. At the same time, we take people’s safety concerns very seriously.”
Safety Concerns and Solutions
Despite the enthusiasm, safety concerns remain prominent, especially in Germany, France, and the U.S., where 60-65% of respondents are skeptical about the safety of driverless trucks. In contrast, China stands out as an exception, with 62% of respondents believing that autonomous trucks are safer than those with human drivers.
Continental is addressing these concerns through its partnership with Aurora, where they are developing an advanced Level 4 autonomous truck system. This system includes radar, camera, and LiDAR sensors that fully map the surroundings, providing a secondary safety network capable of taking over in emergencies.
Looking Forward: Autonomous Trucks by 2027
The collaboration between Continental and Aurora is on track to bring the first scalable Level 4 autonomous truck system to production in the U.S. by 2027. Testing is already underway on public highways, and the system is expected to significantly improve both safety and efficiency in the transport industry.
Bottom Line
Autonomous trucks hold the potential to reshape the transport and logistics industries by easing driver shortages, reducing traffic jams, and improving safety. While enthusiasm for this technology is growing, addressing safety concerns will be critical for widespread adoption. The full results of Continental’s 2024 Mobility Study will be published in October 2024, offering further insights into the future of autonomous vehicles across the globe.
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