AirFlow StarShip Initial Reveal

[freebeard]

Lately, it's like the goalposts are on wheels.

I see hybrids as an interim step to full electric. If I may ask, what's your 0-60 with a full load and % grade at 65mph?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

I think you overestimate the effects of autonomous and ev semis on the market.

They will only penetrate a niche in a very small area of the country.

20 years from now, who knows but in the next 10 years I expect less to change than you think.

If 'platoon' driving gets the go-ahead,I think it will be an economic game-changer,even if nothing else is done to the rigs.
There is serious fuel savings,regardless of motive power source,making 'autonomous' capability very attractive in a life-cycle-cost analysis.

[slowmover]

I have my reservations about platooning. May work for mega-carriers. Everyone else who appears to be running same roads, isn't. There's an awful lot to work out in re dispatch. M

BNSF, UP and other roads have a hard enough time even today.

[gone-ot]

We've had cross-country freight-cargo "platooning" since the late 1800's...called trains. And, pounds-per-mile-per-unit fuel, they beat everything else (planes, trucks, boats).

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by slowmover

I have my reservations about platooning. May work for mega-carriers. Everyone else who appears to be running same roads, isn't. There's an awful lot to work out in re dispatch. M

BNSF, UP and other roads have a hard enough time even today.

Cost accountants may make an irresistible 'profits' case to fleet owners,with respect to this low-hanging fruit.
The DOE might even create incentives for unassociated parties to link up for national fuel savings.Like a reversed depletion allowance.
The Stench of Nations could be converted to The Wealth of Nations.

[freebeard]

It works for NASCAR and they are competitors.

[JockoT]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

We've had cross-country freight-cargo "platooning" since the late 1800's...called trains. And, pounds-per-mile-per-unit fuel, they beat everything else (planes, trucks, boats).

According to Elon Musk's figures, from the presentation on Friday, a platoon of his trucks will be able to transport goods even cheaper than a train.

The UK governments has announced trials of platooning on British roads, starting next year.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics...ead-platooning

[Galane]

The one untested (AFAIK) potential gotcha of platooning or 'training' of road vehicles is how well they handle a sudden problem like the lead vehicle coming to a sudden stop due to running into a vehicle that cuts over and hits it or one that hits it head on.

How many of the closely following vehicles will crash before the software can bring them to a stop?

[gone-ot]

So, "platooning" vehicles will commandeer the national roadways while private citizens are pushed onto the back roads to get across the country?

Gooberment OF the people, but roadways FOR the BUSINESSES only?

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Galane

The one untested (AFAIK) potential gotcha of platooning or 'training' of road vehicles is how well they handle a sudden problem like the lead vehicle coming to a sudden stop due to running into a vehicle that cuts over and hits it or one that hits it head on.

How many of the closely following vehicles will crash before the software can bring them to a stop?

Platooning autonomously has been in test many years.

When one vehicle crashes they pretty much all do unless the speed drop is within the braking capabilities of the vehicles .

That said they all brake at the same time so it’s less likely all crash and the damage is less then if it was human drivers, but in a head on scenario a lot of damage is still not avoidable.