Will there ever be a Google self-driving semi-truck? Better yet, will Tesla ever develop a self-driving semi? The future for either super tech company to build a semi is now uncertain. Forty previous employees of Google, Tesla, Apple and Cruise Automation, among others have started their own self-driving truck company. The new San Francisco based company, Otto, is targeting the freight hauler industry. But like all new innovation companies, there is a fun twist. Otto wants to develop self-driving semi-trucks. Or at least upgrade equipment for existing semis. This comes as a big surprise. This Google and Tesla inspired company may make long haul history.
Google May Lose Big
The new self-driving semi company staff is nothing to shake the innovation stick at. Members include Anthony Levandowski from the Google self-driving team and former Google Maps lead Lior Ron. It has been rumored that Otto may not seek to build full on trucks. But rather develop hardware kits to build partnerships with already established semi-truck manufacturers like Volvo, or Mercedes. The beginning focus will be on highway driving, which differs from the former Google employee’s last project. If Google lost self-driving gurus, how will Tesla survive this possible industry boom?
Will Tesla Scrap Its Semi-Truck Design?
It would be naïve to think that Elon Musk and his savvy team of engineers weren’t already working on a Tesla semi. The Tesla Model P truck design was on the burner for Tesla. And they may have been dabbling in the long haul industry a bit. At least in the realm of electric power. Nikola Motors announced their long haul hybrid. It has an estimated range of up to 1,200 miles on one tank of gas. Mercedes and Volvo have also been working on their own electric semi-truck designs as well. Will Tesla drop a self-driving electric truck on Tesla fans soon? Or are they too busy building Hyperloop stuff, or planning the colonization of Mars?
Otto Self-Driving to Success
With big names filling the new office of Otto in San Francisco, the company is geared for success. The company is completely self-funded. Since they are just starting out, there is no projected time when the public will see what they have innovatively developed. They did note that the cost wouldn’t compare to the high sticker prices of commercial trucks. The only thing stopping Otto is the large regulations and laws that will accompany self-driving technology. It would be interesting to know what actual truckers think about this new industry.
