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Big Rigs Go High Tech

Posted by Soulskill on from the super-highway-information dept.

pottercw writes "Trucking may not seem like a high-tech industry to the casual observer, but major carriers are starting to adopt an array of emerging technologies to combat rising fuel costs, tighter regulation and fierce competition. The technologies include systems that monitor and communicate vehicle conditions and performance, enhanced GPSs that keep tabs on tractors and trailers, and safety systems which issue warnings or even take action to help drivers avoid an accident — all working in real time. Computerworld has a cool mouseover diagram highlighting some of the gadgets we're beginning to see on high-tech trucks."

2 of 288 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Rig emmissions are very low by amRadioHed · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And yet the emissions are still way, way worse than they would be for transport by rail.

    --
    We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
  2. Who says truckies are stupid? by BrokenHalo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Once everyone finds out that the Semi Trucks drive themselves...

    Most people who have only ever driven cars fail to appreciate that driving heavy trucks is actually quite a demanding job, and not one for dummies. Those rigs are expensive, and no factor that saves fuel or wear and tear can be neglected. It may be popular to label truckies as ignorant yokels, but it is a fact that they need to be quite technically astute. For instance, tyre wear alone is a huge factor when you consider the cost of replacing over 40 tyres on a multi-combination rig.

    As an aside, this reminds me of one time back in my trucking days, some idiot tried to steal my rig. He might have thought he was a shit-hot car driver, but couldn't even muster the coordination required to get the crash box into gear. He was still struggling with it when the police arrived... :-)