Blog

If there are two loves amongst us at Walton Bridge Garage, they are undoubtedly cars and beer, but as we’ve previously highlighted the two should never go hand in hand.

But now there is a way they can, safely and legally and have across the pond in the states.

You probably haven’t heard of Anheuser-Busch InBev, but they’re they guys that produce Budweiser, arguably is the largest brewer in the world. Back in the day they were the shining light across the industry when it came to the automation of producing beer, making it quicker, safer and cheaper to get a crisp bottle of Bud into your hand.

But every innovator always maintains the thirst (no pun intended) to innovate and so the company just teamed up with Otto, a start-up specializing in self-driving trucks to bring the world another first – or thirst quencher.

USA Today just reported that together the pair have hauled 2,000 cases of Budweiser 120 miles from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. OK it’s not Ice Road Truckers and most bona fide road trains could smash that journey out with their eyes closed, but an impressive feat considering there was no driver behind the wheel.

The truck navigated the less than straightforward roads of Denver to deliver the beer in a move that could shake up the trucking industry big time. The American Trucking Association, possibly one of the manliest-sounding associations in the world, reported that trucking as an industry netted $726bn last year, with freight transport accounting for the majority of that (81%).

But automated tracking could increase these margins whilst inadvertently putting many out of a job. But not to fear, there was a whole host of complications and special allowances implemented for this stunt due to the changing nature of laws on autonomous driving across each state line. The State of Colorado played a big part in giving this stunt the OK, evaluating the tech involved and riding along during test runs.

Although a spokesman did comment on the state’s intent to get this up and running in the real world.

THIS SITE claims no credit for any images posted on this blog unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.