Self Driving 18 Wheelers Are Now Officially A Thing In Texas

The next time an 18 wheeler cuts you off, tailgates you or honks its horn; don't be so quick to flip off the driver - it may not have one.

"Big rigs", "18 wheelers", "semi's" ... modern "Tractor Trailers" go by many names. In Texas however, they'll be going with fewer human drivers behind the wheel.

Skynet is becoming highway - net as self driving semi trucks finally take to the roads in Texas this month.

They've been talking about this for awhile now and the day has finally come. Aurora - Volvo has unmanned rigs cruising the lone star state. My first question doesn't have to do with how long it will be before there's a problem or an accident; it's a bit more fanciful.

How long before a passing comet gives them a mind of their own or until they become "self aware" as the machines built by Skynet did.  C'mon now ... with all the recent AI developments; are movies like Maximum Overdrive or The Terminator really that far fetched these days?

Granted, the trucks in Maximum Overdrive were possessed by some weird comet dust, not "smart" software but still ... 'ya gotta wonder. I'm just kidding so, don't get too freaked out but you should know; this isn't really a new thing.

How Long Have Driverless Trucks Been On Texas Highways?

“They have had self-driving 18-wheelers up and down I-45, across I-30, across I-20 for several years, but they have a human in the seat. So they still have a human in the seat in case something goes awry,” said Amy Witherite, founder of Witherite Law Group and traffic safety advocate. - nbcdfw

The only difference ... as of April, 2025 ... is that the humans are gone. The trucks are now, officially, on their own. If you see Arnold Schwarzenegger hanging out a truck stop or a rig with the face of the Green Goblin on it; leave.

Quickly.