"The American economy depends on truckers. Their big rigs ferry food, fuel and countless other goods around the country. But it's also a dangerous and exhausting job, simultaneously stressful and monotonous. "I say it's the last honest job," says Aaron Isaacs, a truck driver in California. "Because you come out here and you earn your money." Technology is promising to transform this industry. New driver-assistance features are meant to make the job safer and less demanding."
"I wasn't sure what to expect when I climbed way, way up behind the wheel. The bouncing of the air suspension seat took a little getting used to. So did the slight sway of the cab as it pulled 72,000 pounds of cargo into motion. But actually driving the thing was a breeze. Thanks to camera systems, I didn't have blind spots to worry about."
Trucking underpins the U.S. economy by transporting food, fuel and goods nationwide. The work is dangerous, exhausting, stressful and monotonous, though drivers view it as honest labor. Emerging driver-assistance features aim to reduce blind spots, automate speed control and manage stop-and-go traffic, easing physical demands and stress. Some companies are piloting fully autonomous trucks that could eliminate drivers entirely, creating uncertainty about job security. Manufacturers like Volvo are redesigning cabs with camera systems, cruise control, and suspension improvements to enhance comfort and safety during long hauls. Drivers and industry leaders weigh efficiency gains against potential employment loss.
Read at www.npr.org
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