An actual ex-trucker weighs in with some reality checks regarding Tesla's claims for it Semi Truck:
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This ex-trucker has some questions about the Tesla Semi"
It's going to be interesting to see if Tesla can usefully replace external mirrors with cameras. I see no practical reason why it can't, altho using only two video screens may not be adequate for seeing all the views that are needed. And as Tesla gradually moves toward fully autonomous driving, mirrors are going to become less and less needed or useful.
Not to contradict the real-world experience of this ex-trucker, but his experience is not really relevant to Tesla's ultimate goal of a fully autonomous truck. What he's talking about is the current state-of-the-art of trucking using current diesel tractors, with very little automation (maybe cruise control), not where Tesla wants the state-of-the-art to be in 2-3 years, when it plans to put its Semi Truck into production.
However, he's absolutely right about Tesla's claims that "jack-knifing is impossible". I dinged Elon Musk for that obviously false claim immediately, when I first heard it. Basic physics simply don't support that. Hit a large patch of ice or an oil slick on the road, or if either the tractor or the trailer hydroplanes, and all the traction control in the world isn't going to prevent inertia from taking its inevitable course. Tesla may well be able to reduce the incidence of jack-knifing; perhaps reduce the odds substantially. But they will never completely eliminate the danger by using nothing more than ABS and traction control.
Yeah, I read this, and the author's a good guy. I disagree/see things differently with regards to many of his points.
I do like mirrors, though, and like to have a 2 or 3 offering different views on each side. I'm also not sure that cameras would be an improvement. I used to use one sometimes for backing up to a loading dock, but I much preferred to use my mirrors. I suppose if implemented well, ie, a good better quality image than what I've seen, one could get used to it.
He doesn't like the center seating, but I totally like that part of the concept. Up high, and in front like that, you can get an equally good view of both front corners. Also, if their are mirrors, at least, the mind doesn't have to rethink the perspective differences between the left and right mirrors. Driver's tend to use the left mirror more than the right, so when you do use the right, your mind has to adjust to how that side is reflected -- depth, distances -- are all slightly changed. If the view from both sides is covered in exactly the same way, the mind can seamlessly shift from one to another without having to make adjustments. Just think of how your mind adjusts switching from a rear view mirror in a car to the driver's side mirror, and maybe you understand what I'm trying to communicate.
I understand his thing with being able to see around traffic in front, when that traffic is a truck you can't see over. This could be remedied to some extent with forward-viewing cameras on the sides, though they should only pop out of the skin (or mirrors) to take a look when you need them, otherwise they'll be covered in bugs and/or dirt and useless in no time.
I also don't have a problem with the screens. Yeah, of course they need to be dimmable -- a used to throw my jacket over the my trip computer because the display was so bright at night, when I typically drove. I don't think they're blocking much view, though I'd have to actually sit in it to get a proper sense.
Totally agree about side windows. They must roll down to deal with inspectors at ag stations (Agricultural Inspection Stations), and sometimes at scales. (Usually, there's no human interaction at the scales I'd have to stop at, but every once in a while, someone might stroll out to ask you questions. Since these interactions happen at a full stop, it's not a big deal to me if I have to pull the airbrake and get up and move to a window if paperwork is needed to be shown. I mostly hauled autoparts, so exchanging paperwork is something I very rarely had to do, and it was usually only after being asked to pull over tothe side so the back of the truck could be inspected, and I had to get out and open the back anyway.
Now, the whole "Jackknifing is impossible." thing. I too am skeptical of this claim. I'm not going to call it a lie, because I don't know what kind of testing Tesla has done. Certainly they'd have to have some sort of basis in fact, and so I'm not going to dismiss it out of hand or impugn Musk's character. I would like further clarification, though: could this work on on icy roads too? what are the parameters of the testing that's been done.
I assume they accomplish it by counteracting angular velocity of trailer "pushes" with regen braking/releasing on the appropriate side. Say you're panic stopping and the back of the tractor starts to be pushed to one side, if the wheels on the other side momentarily cease braking, it may correct the attitude of the tractor so it's pointed straight again. Anyway, I'm eager to hear more about this.
The one big thing he didn't mention in this piece was sound. Trucks are ridiculously noisy because of both wind and engine, and that constant barrage is fatiguing. If you listen to the radio, or CB, or what have you, you have to use higher than normal volume , which compounds the problem. With the electric motors located out back, there's far less of that noise and the good aero should also help. Still, it would be nice if they consider using sound deadening as well. Drivers spend a lot of hours in that cab and it really takes a toll on hearing.
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