California’s Future of Transportation: Will Autonomous Semi Trucks Be Legalized or Regulated?

Autonomous driving has been a trucking industry dream for ages, but as the technology becomes more widely understood, so do its limitations. California is on the verge of becoming one of the first states to allow self-driving semi-trucks on public roads, thanks to recently drafted regulations. But hold up, a coalition of Californians is fighting tooth and nail to keep human drivers behind the wheel – and they’re not entirely wrong, considering the chaos autonomous cars have caused on those same roads.

The DMV published the first draft of regulations for autonomous semi-trucks on August 30, which would pave the way for real-world testing. The industry’s been waiting years for this opportunity, touting advantages like increased safety and reduced costs due to no driver rest periods. But safety concerns are a major concern, especially considering the heft of these 10,000-pound-plus rigs.

Enter Kodiak Robotics, a major player in automated semi-trucking. Their trucks are already getting a workout on the open road. But just as the road gets paved, opponents are moving to block the way. On August 31, the California State Assembly passed a bill requiring a human operator at the wheel of all self-driving semi-trucks – a measure backed by major political parties and the powerful Teamsters labor union.

Governor Gavin Newsom is reportedly expected to sign or veto the bill, which would satisfy everyone. And then there’s the Californian public, who’s had a front-row seat to the chaos caused by autonomous cars over the last two years. The DMV is taking a closer look at its proposed regulations, inviting public and expert input through October 14. This waiting period might just give Texas the green light to beat California to driverless semi testing.

But here’s the thing: no matter how many officials try to make driverless semis easy-peasy, the public won’t welcome them if they don’t feel safe. Rogue Cruise AVs striking pedestrians or hitting the same truck twice in a minute is one thing, but an out-of-control 80,000-pound semi without a human driver? That’s a whole different ball game. Should these tests slip up even in the slightest, it’s easy to see Californians disabling them with extra-large dunce caps – or maybe just organizing Fast and the Furious-style heists while they’re on the move.