Are self-driving trucks destined to be a permanent highway fixture? It appears that may be the case in Japan and the U.K. Â These convoys are driven by the first truck in the line and the others follow.
Last week, a convoy of self-driving trucks hit the road in Japan.
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a Japanese government-funded program, put four self-driven trucks on the road.  The trucks were driven in a convoy, with each truck being kept 13 feet apart and traveling at 50 mph.
The first truck is the leader and the others are programed to follow.
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The program was developed to help promote fuel-efficiency. Â Keeping the trucks in a straight line helps reduce drag. Â According to NEDO, they’re seen a 15% increase in fuel-efficiency.
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The trucks are equipped with cameras and infrared laser radars to help identify obstacles around them. Â The lasers also help the trucks stay within the painted lines on the road.
According to NEDO, the trucks should be available for commercial use by 2020.
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Over the summer, Volvo and Safe Road Trains for the Environment (SARTE) put the first-ever self-drivin road train of trucks and cars on the highway in Barcelona, Spain. Â The convoy traveled 125 miles.
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