Autonomous trucks: and suddenly, DHL is going to dismiss its drivers!

Volvo and the global carrier DHL have launched, in Texas, a major testing campaign for an autonomous freight solution.

With electric trucks already capable of traveling 500 kilometers on a single charge, a relatively low average speed, and routes largely limited to highways, road freight will soon undergo a significant social upheaval.

In the United States, where employment concerns are less pressing compared to economic savings and company profitability, autonomous driving is a topic of widespread discussion. Both for mainstream cars and for 40-ton cargo trucks. Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) and its client DHL have thus announced that they have reached a major milestone in transforming their industry.

Volvo is developing its Aurora Driver system for fully autonomous driving, which already seems to have a mature ecosystem. A DHL freight platform in Texas (where legislation is more flexible) is serving as a development base before scaling to large-scale autonomous transport. This poses a significant threat to jobs, but unfortunately, it is the direction history is taking.

At this stage of the project, a driver-engineer remains present in the truck to ensure that the electronics are perfectly configured. Two routes have been selected by DHL and Volvo: El Paso-Fort Worth (1000 km and 12 hours of driving) and Houston-Dallas (400 km and 5 hours of driving).

Routes known by heart?

The message conveyed by Volvo and DHL is somewhat unsettling: “Range is a key factor in advancing digital transformation in the logistics sector, providing reliable capacity for long-distance trips. Our long-standing partnership with Volvo has been instrumental in aligning their autonomous transport solutions with our 24/7 operational requirements.” Indeed, driving non-stop is a productivity boost and a significant source of savings. But by emphasizing safety, it subtly suggests that humans are less safe.

The Aurora Driver is equipped with powerful sensors, including high-resolution cameras, imaging radars, and a proprietary long-range lidar, which “ensure safe autonomous operations at highway speeds,” Volvo states. “Furthermore, autonomous trucks can reduce physical and mental fatigue for drivers, thereby improving their quality of life and job satisfaction.” Especially if they are asked to stay home or find a new job…

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