The only benefit of the tech required I can imagine would be to allow the computer to reverse the controls of the trailer when reversing the car (like video game flight sticks can) so that the human doesn’t have to process reversing their trailer any differently than they normally in the vehicle.
It would also eliminate the hitch from the vehicle, so there would be no vehicle stress from towing.
This could all be done and still have a physical connection to the truck as a failsafe.
The other thing that springs to mind is you could use a little commuter car with this, so you don’t have to drive a big F350 all the time just because you tow sometimes.
Why this is better than having a truck and a small car, and only using the truck when you need it, I don’t know.
Yes, removing the need to buy a huge truck because you tow an RV a few times a year.
This also just seems to be a stepping stone technology for semi truck caravans as well. I can see a scenario with a ‘pilot truck’ that has a few people in it guiding a 20 + long caravan of trailers. Allows for semi autonomous behavior while still having people there to address the occasional problems.
Can a train split of to 20 different last mile delivery locations that change depending on the day and dynamically add and remove cars throughout transit?
Do you really think that freight is the end all be all for logistics for a country as diverse as the us for example?
I fail to see the usecase in “hitchless towing”. Anyone any idea?
I agree. Changing the oil through wi-fi on the other hand, that sounds neat
I guess if you have a sedan or small car that doesn’t have a hitch? But if you have a trailer you probably have a vehicle to tow it.
The only benefit of the tech required I can imagine would be to allow the computer to reverse the controls of the trailer when reversing the car (like video game flight sticks can) so that the human doesn’t have to process reversing their trailer any differently than they normally in the vehicle.
It would also eliminate the hitch from the vehicle, so there would be no vehicle stress from towing.
This could all be done and still have a physical connection to the truck as a failsafe.
The other thing that springs to mind is you could use a little commuter car with this, so you don’t have to drive a big F350 all the time just because you tow sometimes.
Why this is better than having a truck and a small car, and only using the truck when you need it, I don’t know.
If the towed vehicle moves on its own power, you need less force from the towing car.
Yes, removing the need to buy a huge truck because you tow an RV a few times a year.
This also just seems to be a stepping stone technology for semi truck caravans as well. I can see a scenario with a ‘pilot truck’ that has a few people in it guiding a 20 + long caravan of trailers. Allows for semi autonomous behavior while still having people there to address the occasional problems.
Once again, we’ve invented the train.
Can a train split of to 20 different last mile delivery locations that change depending on the day and dynamically add and remove cars throughout transit?
Do you really think that freight is the end all be all for logistics for a country as diverse as the us for example?
Almost every single thing anyone buys in their entire life is on a truck at one point.
This could potentially revolutionize the chase for an EV semi
Truck trains already exist though. How does this improve anything?
Less drivers, better control, etc. Pulling multiple trailers is incredibly demanding for the driver and the rig and is limited to a few trailers.
Caravanning multiple rigs means drivers or driver pairs for every rig, meaning 20 trucks potentially need 40 drivers.
Simple and dynamic hitching means faster turnarounds when loading and unloading
There are tons of things that technology like this can improve.
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But then you need the giant engine in the RV. Just get an RV that you can drive, and tow a small car instead?
Ok replace rv with literally anything else, boat, parade float, motorcycle trailer, car trailer, etc.