robocars continued

[P-hack]

Just so nobody is naive enough to think the genie can be put back in the bottle (especially where economics is involved), it doesn't mean you have to like it.
Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Driverless Trucks to Hit Alberta’s Oilsands Region Replacing $200,000/yr Operators; Big Layoffs Coming

Now you may think "hey it is just an oil company", but really, it would be naive to think that any job or function could not be "automated", probably in some half-a$$ed manner (because economics).

It isn't like the oil company can't afford drivers.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by P-hack

$200,000/yr Operators

^Explains a lot, doesn't it?

[P-hack]

Dunno, never had to specialize in driving one of these:


How many of them are actually in operation at a given company? says they are buying 175 trucks.

says "800 people" averaging 200k, but the article says "up to 200k".

Suncor netted 4.3 billion in 2011
http://www.suncor.com/pdf/Suncor_Ann...rt_2012_en.pdf

so sure, there are incentives, worst case $160mil in payroll, but how much do the machines cost to buy and maintain?

[freebeard]

Robotrucks are capital, drivers are an expense.

I don't envy the young folks these days.

[gone-ot]

Robotrucks are "durable" capital, thus are "depreciatible" items.

[P-hack]

yup, vs paytoll taxes and ssn and etc, and manditory employer health care (or more taxes).