1. Self-Driving Trucks Deliver Mail
Next on the self-driving to-do list is an initiative to test self-driving mailing trucks. The U.S. Postal Service is starting a two-week test, transporting mail across three Southwestern states using self-driving trucks, a step (or wheel) forward in commercializing autonomous vehicle technology for hauling freight. This move could find a solution to driver shortages and regulatory constraints faced by freight haulers across the country and possibly be a better solution overall compared to Amazon’s delivery service program. The American Trucking Associations estimates a shortage of as many as 174.5K drivers by 2024, due to an aging workforce and the difficulty to attract younger drivers. “The work with TuSimple is our first initiative in autonomous long-haul transportation,” USPS spokeswoman Kim Frum said. “We are conducting research and testing as part of our efforts to operate a future class of vehicles which will incorporate new technology.” Worried about the safety of this test? A safety driver will sit behind the wheel to intervene if necessary and an engineer will ride in the passenger seat.
(Source: NBC News)
2. Chevy Gases “Buckle to Drive” Feature
In 2017, only 59% of high school students reported using seatbelts when either driving or riding in the front passenger seat, according to the CDC. Even worse, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the US, and more than half of teens who died in crashes in 2016 were not buckled up. That is why Chevy came in clutch with their new car feature that requires teens to buckle up before driving. The new “Buckle to Drive” feature will come standard on all 2020 Chevy Traverse, Malibu, and Colorado vehicles. The seatbelt will need to be clicked in order to unlock the gear shift and to start the radio. The “teen driver” mode will also provide a report card to parents on the teens’ driving habits such as the number of times they exceeded the speed limit, set off the forward collision alert, etc. When tested with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the results were 16% more effective when compared to audible seatbelt reminders found in most cars.
(Source: The Verge)
3. “Jack in the Box to the Principal’s Office”
Media personality Kim Kardashian West blasted Jack in the Box on Twitter earlier this week. Specifically tweeting, “I have a serious complaint but I won’t fully put you on blast, check your corporate email inbox or send me a DM with direct person for my team to contact. Pronto!”
Hey, Jack In The Box I have a serious complaint but I won’t fully put you on blast, check your corporate email inbox or send me a DM with direct person for my team to contact. Pronto!
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) May 20, 2019
Of course, the internet took to this glorious and seemingly unnecessary tweet, many poking fun at it and others disgusted that someone with so much influence can have so much say over trivial issues. Even fast food brands jumped on the bandwagon and tweeted a few comments of their own:
but like, who even goes there?
— Wendy's (@Wendys) May 20, 2019
🔊 Jack In The Box to the principal’s office
— Burger King (@BurgerKing) May 20, 2019
P R O N T O
— Steak-umm (@steak_umm) May 20, 2019
Psalm 5:20 – Thou shalt not go to Jack in the Box
— Carl’s Jr. (@CarlsJr) May 20, 2019
Which makes all of us wonder… is there any chance Kim’s mystery complaint was actually a marketing stunt in disguise? Jack in the Box got a whole lotta publicity out of this and everyone can’t stop talking about how Kim K is a customer.
