Self-driving trucks present unique obstacles for map developers

Autonomous trucks have been heralded as a potential revolution in freight, logistics and on-site transportation. Though the technology has been explored over the past two decades as researchers and companies sought to achieve higher efficiency and lower costs at mining and construction sites, self-driving trucks started to hit the headlines in 2016 as a host of big-name players including Volvo and Daimler began developing models. Their progression was mirrored by then-newcomers Waymo and Uber, who announced projects of their own. Over the past two years, many of the frontrunners in autonomous trucking have piloted their vehicles on roads across the US, Europe and Asia.