When we thinking about lorry drivers, mostly we imagine man wear some sport clothes, eat whatever, sleep wherever and spent a lot of time away from home. We definitely don’t connect this profession with family man.
What would you say if this look something like that:
Frank was in good shape, despite it was almost 12hrs of driving. This new chair make really difference, he thought, as he didn’t feel any physical pain. Only 20 min to go, and half day off. GPS connected to the driving timer, already found a parking bay for Franks lorry, and navigate him there. After last upgrade of system, everything worked perfectly fine, no paper work at all.
Frank was a lorry driver for more than 10 yrs now, but he felt that he start totally new job 1 year ago. It’s already been one year, time last fast – he thought. He still remember first trials after company introduce ‘Transformer 1.0’ software. Catchy name, but didn’t have too much in common with the movie. He was picked, as employee with long experience, but still young enough to understand new technologies. Next day after the nomination to ‘test driver’, company took him to an old test track. When they get there, he noticed lorry parked next to the garages. What surprised him, that it was quite old car. Maybe they innovation is about the engine – he thought, but still something didn’t much up. When the car stopped, instead of going to the lorry, he was asked to go inside garage. To prepare. ‘To prepare? To prepare for what? He know how to drive, he didn’t need any preparation’. When Frank stepped inside, he noticed some fancy chair and some sort of goggles on it. Like the one he use for snowboarding.
‘Hello Frank’ – he heard from behind. It was the company owner. ‘I’m really happy that you will be our test driver. We’ve checked your social network posts, and you’re definitely fit to purpose. Open minded men, with increasing family.’
What the heck? Check my social network. ‘What’s going on here?’ – he asked.
‘No worries Frank. Everything will be clear in few moments. Kev, can we start?’
‘Yes boss. Everything connected and ready. Frank, please could you come and sit here.’
Frank sat on fancy chair, he noticed after he came in. It was comfortable and turns out very flexible.
‘OK now Frank, I need you to put those glasses on, as well as this gloves and shoes.’ – Kev said.
‘What is it? Some kind of simulator of lorry racing?’ – he laughed.
‘Kind of, everything in own time Frank’ – director said.
After few moments, Frank was ready to go. Sit in chair, fully equipped.
‘OK boss, ready to start’ – said Kev.
‘Let’s do this boys. Give the wheel to Frank.’
‘Wow, feel like real driving wheel. But still I can’t see…’ Frank didn’t finish his sentence, as ‘Transformer 1’ starts, and his eyes was bombarded by millions of pixels from VR goggles, he has on.
He made first 10 laps, thinking everything was just virtual. Didn’t even think, that the lorry which was parked outside, is connected and steer by his gloves and shoes. When they told him that, first he could believe, than he was amazed, and lastly he understood. It was future coming, and it was great future for him. If he could drive remotely, from any place it would be so much easier. And he could spend so much more time with his family, without leaving job that he loved.
And here he was. Just one year later. Parking his lorry in a bay. There were only 100 of Transformers trucks. Still in testing phase. Marked and drive only during night. But the change was going to happen and it was going to happen very soon. Driver were more relaxed, better rested and happier. There was no major accidents.
Frank stopped, turn off the engine and open… sorry and took of his goggles. Kev was nest to him, still monitoring all the network signals. They say good bye to each other, and Frank went to his car to drive back home. Now he saw his family every day. He was a lorry driver and family men in the same time, something he what called impossible just year ago.
THE END
Sound much better. And maybe will happen someday. If hackers can hijack cars, why don’t we use technology which exist to help ourselves. If I’ll think about autonomous cars, where CPU is doing everything I don’t feel very confident. I know – most mistakes make people. But still. I can let car to park for me, and maybe go straight on motorway. On the other hand, if we can use drivers to remotely drive cars, I’d feel much better. And if you think it’s impossible, just two examples.
First – military drones, which US use to attack targets over middles east.
Second -
Let me know you’re thoughts.
Thank you and… yes, let’s play :)
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