Question

"Given the fact that both the Navy and the Air Force regularly fly pilotless aircraft for surveillance and combat missions, the idea of a driverless fork truck seems somewhat of a no-brainer. Why not pilotless cargo aircraft such as FedEx and UPS? Why not semi-trucks moving intercity without drivers? How would your answer differ if we had high-ways that were dedicated to truck-only traffic, either on an exclusive or time-allocated basis? Where do you think the concept of probotics will eventually end up? "

Answer 1

Answer:

If we had highways available to truck-only traffic then the question will need to contemplate on is  if the truck-only highways will enable only driver less trucks or the conventional trucks as well.

Also humans are susceptible to error. while machines usually follow strict rules.

These two different methods to driving and could cause problems and also accidents. the only method accomplish driver less trucks is to ensure truck-only highways exclusive to driver less trucks.

The idea of robotics and automations will keep growing. we may have, automated vehicles on the road in the next 20 years.

Similarly automation is set to change our home, roads, cars and how we do business today.

Explanation:

Solution

There are different reasons why we do not see driver less fork truck or pilot less cargo aircraft. but the key reasons behind them can be is stated below:

(1)Technology: The technology behind driver less truck or pilot less aircraft are still very fresh. This implies that the use of this technology is extremely high. at some point it may even include national security concern. this is the reason why the technology is not available openly to public and business organization cannot use them for their customers.

(2)Safety: Pilot less aircraft for surveillance carries a particular risk. we need to know that the workmanship of Navy and Air Force is part of  these risk. Thus, the normal everyday jobs like businesses and operations do not take such high risk.

A pilot less aircraft’s crash could result in damage to  lives and property and brings other issues. with the new technology the risks we go higher and best not used for mass/public consumption.

(3)Regulations: Any new design of operation often needs the  government approval. Driver less cars as of  now are only at its initial stage of creation. But, before this becomes a common mode of transportation, the government consent may be required.

The  infrastructure needs to be present for such vehicles. These requires a lot of effort and preparation, which is not available at the moment.

Now

If we had highways assigned to truck-only traffic then the question will still be if the truck-only highways will permit only driver less trucks or the conventional trucks as well.

The problem is if we mix them. humans are liable to error and also capable of improvisation. while machines do follow strict rules. these two different methods to driving and could cause confusion and also accidents. the only way to accomplish driver less trucks is to ensure truck-only highways exclusive to driver less trucks.

The idea of robotics and automations will keep growing. we may have, automated vehicles on the road in the next 20 years (in some countries). Similarly automation is set to change our home, roads, cars and how we run business today.

For Instance, in future we could be living in a completely automated house, being taken to work by automated public/private transport and even travelling to other countries in a pilot less airplanes.