A recent study commissioned by German technology company Continental reveals the growing public acceptance of autonomous trucks, with many Germans expecting these vehicles to play a pivotal role in alleviating traffic congestion and addressing the current driver shortage.
The Mobility Study 2024, conducted by market research institute Infas, surveyed 5,000 people across five countries: Germany, China, France, Japan, and the USA. The study provides insight into how respondents view the future of transport, specifically the use of autonomous trucks.
In Germany, 47 per cent of respondents believe that driverless lorries will lead to fewer traffic jams on motorways, a key concern for commuters and logistics operators alike. Additionally, 60 per cent see autonomous trucks as a potential solution to the persistent shortage of drivers in the transport sector.
Autonomous lorries: a cure for the world’s driver shortage?
This shortage has become increasingly critical in recent years, with Germany facing a deficit of at least 70,000 lorry drivers in 2023, according to industry estimates. The demand for road transport continues to rise, further intensifying the need for effective solutions.
The shortage of drivers is not unique to Germany; it is a global issue affecting numerous countries. In the United States, for example, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) reported a shortfall of around 78,000 drivers in 2022.
In the UK, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) indicated a shortage of approximately 100,000 drivers in 2021, exacerbated by Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
As driver availability continues to dwindle, autonomous trucks are seen by many as a viable solution to maintaining efficiency and reducing delays in goods delivery.
Public opinion on the safety and benefits of autonomous trucks
While enthusiasm for autonomous lorries is evident in the study, concerns about safety remain prevalent. In Germany, France, and the USA, between 60 and 65 per cent of respondents expressed doubts regarding the safety of heavy commercial vehicles operating without human intervention.
These concerns were even more pronounced in Japan, where over 70 per cent of respondents questioned the safety of driverless trucks.
Conversely, China exhibited a higher level of trust in the technology, with 62 per cent of respondents considering autonomous lorries safer than those operated by human drivers.
Only 30 per cent in China thought human-operated trucks were safer. This disparity in perception underscores the challenge facing companies like Continental in building public trust in autonomous systems in Western countries.
“We take people’s safety concerns very seriously. The solution with a redundant system demonstrates that the safety and protection of all road users is Continental’s top priority when it comes to autonomous driving,” said Philipp von Hirschheydt, Executive Board member for Continental’s Automotive group sector.
To address these concerns, Continental is equipping autonomous HGVs with advanced radar, camera, and LiDAR sensors, which provide a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s surroundings. The system includes a secondary safety network capable of taking control in emergencies, such as sensor damage or malfunction. This failsafe mechanism ensures the vehicle can be stopped safely in the event of a problem, further increasing safety on the road.
Potential benefits for the logistics sector
The introduction of autonomous HGVs is seen as a game changer for the logistics industry. With human drivers no longer required to observe driving time limits and rest periods, self-driving trucks can operate around the clock, significantly reducing delivery times and increasing operational efficiency. These vehicles also have the potential to lower fuel consumption by optimizing driving performance, contributing to the achievement of CO2 emissions reduction targets.
Continental’s study highlights these advantages, with 56 per cent of respondents in Germany expecting autonomous trucks to reduce operating costs for fleet operators.
By eliminating human error, which is a leading cause of road accidents, autonomous vehicles could also improve road safety. According to the European Commission, human error is responsible for approximately 90 per cent of road traffic accidents in Europe.
Partnership with Aurora
Continental has been working with US-based autonomous driving company Aurora since 2023 to develop a scalable Level 4 autonomous truck system. This system, which is designed for fully autonomous driving without human intervention, is expected to be ready for production in the USA by 2027.
Aurora has already been testing self-driving trucks on public highways, providing valuable insights for the development of this technology.
The partnership between Continental and Aurora involves the integration of hardware and software components. These include radar, camera, and LiDAR sensors, which provide the vehicle with a comprehensive understanding of its surroundings, and high-performance computers capable of processing large amounts of environmental data in real time.
The system also includes a backup safety mechanism, ensuring that the truck can stop safely in the event of a system failure.