The Future on Wheels: How the Shape of Trucks Might Evolve with Automation
Space-age ideas from the 20th Century have shaped our ideas of future high-tech vehicles.
Many enthusiasts envision future trucks equipped with revolutionary features, seeing fleets of sleek, autonomous, and perhaps ‘cab-less’ big rigs smoothly traversing our highways.
While this vision represents a possible future, significant alterations in truck design likely will unfold more slowly than anticipated. The current state of technology, regulatory challenges and economic factors indicate that a gradual, incremental evolution is more plausible than an abrupt transformation. However, the design of the trucks of the future will undoubtedly evolve. See Figure 1.
Figure 1: This concept vehicle is called Atlantis and it does not have a cab.
Despite many ongoing innovations in autonomous technology, it will take time for regulations, safety considerations, and the public’s acceptance of driverless trucks for there to be significant changes in truck design and for serial production to begin.
In the near term, we likely will see advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) increasingly becoming commercially available and widely embraced. Features like enhanced lane-keeping and active steering torque; predictive cruise control leveraging GPS data and digital maps to foresee hills, descents, and road curves; trucks equipped with driver monitoring systems that utilize infrared cameras or other sensors to monitor eye movements, head position, and blink rates; automatic emergency braking systems tailored for trucking; and advanced telematics systems analyzing driving patterns — like sudden braking or sharp turns — and relay this information into AI-driven coaching modules.
Even as automation advances, human oversight will remain vital for years, particularly in regions with intricate traffic patterns or adverse weather conditions. Trucks will continue to feature traditional steering and braking controls in the near future, enabling a human operator to regain control swiftly when needed. Cab design will continue to emphasize driver comfort, likely evolving to be more streamlined and technologically sophisticated while retaining its essential presence outright.
The most dramatic shifts in the medium term may not be noticeable externally. Onboard computers, sensor arrays, and robust connectivity will become integral to each truck’s design, production, and operation. Although these enhancements won’t significantly change the truck’s exterior, they will transform its performance.
The introduction of hybrid powertrains, electric drivetrains, or hydrogen fuel systems will require reconsidering the placement of components such as batteries or fuel cells. Initially, these modifications will be integrated into existing truck models, with a gradual evolution in their overall structural design. See Figure 2.
Figure 2: The cabin of the Tesla Semi looks different from what you see in a typical Class 8 vehicle.
A Shift in Focus: From Drivers to Cargo
Today’s trucks are primarily designed around the needs and limitations of human drivers. Seats occupy a significant portion of the cab, along with driver controls and windows for visibility. As automation continues to advance and human drivers are phased out (or at least transition to more supervisory roles), future trucks will not require these design elements to the same extent. Instead, the focus will shift to maximizing storage capacity, ensuring cargo safety, improving aerodynamics, and enhancing the systems that support self-driving technology.
Without a human driver or with minimal controls, the large interior cabin and dashboard can shrink or even be removed. This will allow for more space for additional cargo or new types of equipment. Trucks may no longer require room for pedals, steering wheels, or a windshield. See Figure 3. We could see highly aerodynamic designs or flat surfaces that simply accommodate sensors and cameras.
Figure 3: Einride’s next-generation autonomous vehicle and a 3D model of an autonomous truck of the future.
New Aerodynamic Shapes
Advanced automation technology will allow trucks to operate in tight platoons, lowering drag and fuel consumption. See Figure 4. However, it’s not just about grouping trucks; the design of each truck will be refined for better aerodynamics, which helps to minimize wind resistance and thus decrease energy expenses. Electric, hydrogen-powered, and hybrid trucks will prioritize aerodynamic designs to maximize the distance covered per kilowatt-hour or gallon of fuel. Anticipate more streamlined curves, strategically positioned sensor domes, and a reduction in excess bulk protrusions.
Figure 4: Automation will allow for tight platooning.
For decades, trucks have been characterized by a large windshield, side mirrors, and a prominent hood that contains a powerful internal combustion engine. Yet, as we move toward a more automated future, vision will not depend on traditional glass and human eyes — instead, it will originate from a sophisticated sensor array. These sensors will play a vital role in accurately mapping the road, surroundings, and environmental conditions, taking a central position in upcoming truck designs. Anticipate sensor configurations to replace current headlights and grilles. High-definition cameras will substitute for side mirrors, offering an uninterrupted 360-degree view of the truck’s environment. Additionally, the body design may feature elegantly integrated camera housings that are efficient.
The New Cabin: A Tech Hub on Wheels
The most notable change is the absence of a conventional driver’s seat. However, there still will be advanced technology and possibly a small operator station for monitoring or emergency manual control. A streamlined station designed for onboard technicians or passengers will be positioned within the vehicle’s structure, allowing for human intervention if the automation systems need assistance. High-performance computers, essential for processing data in real-time, will be placed in climate-controlled compartments, effectively transforming trucks into mobile data centers. This computing hardware will be as vital as the engine and transmission are in today’s trucks.
With automation managing more driving tasks, designers and manufacturers can emphasize new priorities.
- Cargo Efficiency: Designs will be tailored to minimize wasted space, potentially featuring modular containers that can be attached or detached easily for different use cases.
- Renewable Energy Integration: Trucks may incorporate solar panels on the roof or sides to power auxiliary systems or extend battery range in electric models.
- Safety and Redundancy: Automation necessitates robust fail-safes. The truck body will likely include reinforced compartments for critical electronics and backup power. It also might integrate new crash-avoidance structures designed to work alongside real-time collision detection and autonomous reactions systems.
As trucks become sleeker and more uniform in shape, highways may look dramatically different. Electric drivetrains and aerodynamic designs will result in quieter rides and less fuel consumption (or zero emissions from hydrogen and electric trucks). Automated truck platoons will travel in tight formation to reduce aerodynamic drag, significantly affecting traffic flow and highway design. Charging stations, hydrogen filling stations, and advanced service depots will emerge, impacting rest stops and highway infrastructure layouts.
Looking Further Ahead
In 20-plus years, the next generation of long-haul trucks could become unrecognizable compared to the big rigs on the roads today. They may resemble rolling containers with embedded sensors and minimal external adornments. These future trucks could be made from ultra-lightweight composites for improved energy efficiency, and some might feature shape-shifting elements to adjust aerodynamics and cargo space on the fly.
One thing is certain: as automation technology advances, the very concept of what a truck looks like will shift away from the driver-focused vehicles we’re all familiar with. Instead, trucks of the future will be optimized for one primary purpose — moving goods efficiently and safely, while the human role migrates to higher-level supervision and system management. See Figure 5. As these vehicles evolve, so will our roads, logistics systems, and our entire perception of the trucking industry.
Figure 5: As we move to autonomous trucking, the concept of what a truck is may change.
Trucks have gone through many significant design modifications as the industry has embraced and adopted new technologies and enhancements to the industry. In the 1800s, Gottlieb Daimler altered the future of truck design when he launched the first truck in 1896, with a four-horsepower engine with two forward gears and one reverse. Race ahead a century to the new Freightliner Cascadia of 2019. See Figure 6.
Figure 6: Gotlieb Daimler early truck design circa 1896 on the left. A 2019 Freightliner Cascadia on the right.
What changes will be adopted over the next century?
