Author: Seth Clevenger

If autonomous vehicles are the future of the trucking industry, what is the future of the truck driver? On the surface, it might appear to some casual observers that automation could soon spell the end of the truck driving profession, but that perception quickly falls apart when examining the current limitations of the technology and the stark realities of trucking’s labor needs.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Freightliner Trucks introduced the first all-electric versions of its heavy-duty Cascadia and medium-duty M2 models here, a major step toward bringing a full lineup of electric trucks to the North American market.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Daimler Trucks announced it is establishing an Automated Truck Research and Development Center here at its North American headquarters to test and validate automated driving technologies.

Uber Freight has added a “fleet mode” to its mobile app to enable dispatchers at small fleets to find and book loads and assign them to their drivers.

Uber Technologies Inc. confirmed it is shutting down its autonomous vehicle operations in Arizona, including its self-driving trucks, two months after one of its self-driving passenger cars struck and killed a pedestrian in the state.

David Wangler, president of TMW Systems and Trimble’s transportation software division, died April 26 at the age of 56, the company said.

The use of technology is no longer a novelty but a necessity in the trucking business — for carriers of all sizes.

AMSTERDAM — The updated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van will offer a multitude of new options and features when it hits the market later this year, but the most significant additions could be its new connected-vehicle services.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Digital freight broker Convoy is taking action to mitigate a top frustration for truck drivers — excessive wait times at shipper and consignee facilities — as it continues to expand its network of connected carriers and shippers.

As e-commerce volumes continue to grow, customer returns of products ordered online also are rising at a rapid clip, a trend that is increasing the need for efficient reverse logistics processes to control costs.