The rate of advancement of modern technology is simply extraordinary, with new systems, devices, and innovations being developed and released all the time to enhance and improve our personal and professional lives.
Not all that long ago, the world witnessed the early stages of the internet and portable phones. Now there are digital devices in almost every home and high-end smartphones used by millions of people worldwide.
In all kinds of industries, too, we can see the benefits and effects of modern technology. The trucking industry is a terrific example of this, as new innovations and gadgets are being used to great effect to make trucks safer, smarter, and more efficient too.
There are lots of ways in which new trucking technology is changing the game for truck companies are drivers everywhere. This guide will take a look at some examples of how technology is being integrated into the trucking industry and the benefits it has to offer.
Electric Vehicles
In recent years, there’s been a big global push towards more semi-electric, hybrid, and fully-electric vehicles, and we’ve started to see more and more battery-powered cars and scooters on the streets of big cities across the United States, in particular. This technology is also being extended to the trucking industry, with electric trucks finally starting to be developed and released onto the roads.
These vehicles are much kinder to the environment, part of the US government’s push to a greener nation, and, if developed to their full potential, they could be much more economic and efficient too, able to drive hundreds of miles on a single charge. We’re not seeing too many actual electric trucks yet, but the future is very bright for this part of the industry.
Advanced GPS Devices
GPS devices have been really important to the trucking industry for several decades now, ever since they were first introduced on a commercial level back in the 1990s. They’ve made it so much easier for truck drivers to get around from place to place and make their deliveries efficiently, without needing to memorize maps and routes in their minds.
However, the GPS devices of olden days have been massively improved upon in recent years. Today’s truck GPS systems are more advanced than ever before, giving truck drivers additional benefits and features to use. They can inform drivers of nearby gas stops and prices, for example, as well as keeping track of real-time traffic information and suggesting time-saving route alterations.
Training Simulators
A long-standing challenge for the trucking industry has been trying to find an answer to the question “What is the best way to train new truck drivers?” Traditionally, there haven’t been too many options out there to help train new truckers aside from classic, old-school-style lessons, and driving schools.
New technology is changing the game in this area too, with new virtual reality simulations and truck driving simulator devices being developed to allow trainee truck drivers to actually test their skills and learn how to drive without actually needing to be behind the wheel of a truck at all. These simulator devices can help with safety for young students who are just starting out, as well as reducing the costs of training, as there will be less reliance on actual trucks and no need to worry about repair costs either.
Blind Spot Cameras
Trucks are some of the biggest and heaviest vehicles on the road, and they can do a lot of damage if they crash or collide with other vehicles. So it’s really important for tech developers to find ways to make trucks safer, and one of the best tech innovations to arrive in recent times to address this issue is the blind spot camera.
As the name implies, blind spot cameras can be positioned around trucks in key locations in order to effectively eliminate problematic blind spots, such as the area directly behind the truck and certain sections along the sides. These cameras provide direct video feeds into the cabin, allowing drivers to make smarter, safer decisions and avoiding accidents.
Final Word
As this list shows, there are many ways in which modern technology is changing the trucking industry as we know it, making trucks safer, more efficient, and easier to control for drivers too. Recent years have already seen the trucking industry transformed by these exciting new developments, and the years ahead surely have even more innovations and advancements in store for truck drivers and companies across the globe.