Autobots, Roll Out: Or, How Autonomous Trucks Could Change the Maintenance Game

The Autobots are on their way, and they’re going to need maintenance.

OK, so autonomous trucks aren’t exactly the same as autonomous robotic organisms from the Transformers franchise. But they are kinda similar in that they don’t need drivers, and they can steer themselves. They’re also very likely going to lead to new service avenues for repair shops once they hit the mainstream, which is why we’re writing about them.

(And if we take the opportunity to unleash a wave of Transformers jokes upon you all, our audience, well…so be it.) 

Anyway, autonomous trucks are coming. In this FreightWaves article published earlier this year, Adam Wingfield made no predictions, but rather asked questions the industry and everyone in it will have to answer if they want to fend off the Decepticons fit into this brave new world of repairs. 

The questions Adam asked include:

• If an autonomous truck pulls over, who places reflective triangles to alert oncoming traffic? (Incidentally, the FMCSA has since addressed this question! They granted a five-year exemption allowing qualifying Level 4 autonomous trucks to use cab-mounted warning beacons instead of traditional roadside warning services.) 
• How safe will these autonomous trucks be when tested at scale in places that have Real Weather and challenging topography?
• Who is minding the vehicle and staying ahead of breakdowns?

We found that last question particularly interesting for Fullbay’s audience of heavy-duty diesel repair shops. Conversations about autonomous or driverless trucks have come up now and then, in part because they seemed inevitable, but also because they’re likely going to require different maintenance and repair than regular trucks. 

Let’s make one thing clear, though, before going any further: We know autonomous vehicles raise real questions about safety and jobs. But whatever the answers turn out to be, they still will need maintenance. Even the Autobots have at least one mechanic (the perpetually overworked Ratchet). The only question is who will be qualified (and allowed) to do the work. 

OK, there are actually more questions. What will repairing an autonomous truck look like? Do we need to find the All Spark? What if we only have a 10mm?

We asked the Diesel Community what they thought of the matter. 

WHAT ACTUAL SHOP OWNERS SAY ABOUT SELF-DRIVING TRUCKS

Most of the shop owners we chatted with were keeping open minds about autonomous trucks. With that said, more than one approached the topic with a healthy dose of skepticism. 

“Here in western NY the possibility of autonomous vehicles is so far-fetched due to weather conditions,” said Dylan P. “The roads are pot-holed so badly from plowing and salt, and lines are faded or scraped off by the plows.” 

Andy W. said he was also in a rural area, and he didn’t expect to see them in his bays anytime soon. But, he added, “They are coming, [whether] you like it or not.” 

Both shop owners voiced a common critique of autonomous vehicles: how well will they perform in, say, Real Weather, damaged infrastructure, and unexpected or emergency situations?

Dylan voiced another concern, one that we think gets to the heart of the “who answers an Autobot distress call”: The technology going into autonomous trucks is largely proprietary, and “independent repair shops are not going to be able to participate, at least, not at first.” And while that may be the case, we suspect that if this technology does become more mainstream, then shops will eventually be summoned to protect humanity in its hour of need make the necessary repairs.

Let’s take a look at the potential future service categories autonomous trucks could introduce to an independent shop. And more specifically, what shops can do now to prepare. 

HOW SHOULD REPAIR SHOPS PREPARE FOR AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS?

Start focusing on electronic diagnostic skills

Autonomous trucks are jammed with electronics. In addition to the systems found on conventional trucks, they rely on sensors, computers, and electronically controlled systems to navigate and operate. When those systems malfunction, someone will need to figure out what’s wrong and fix it.

This could create a new service opportunity for shops with specialized electronic diagnostic capabilities. So consider investing in training around: 

• Electronic braking, ABS, and stability control systems.
• Electronic steering and steering assistance technology.
• Wiring, electrical diagnostics, and communication networks.
• Advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) technologies like radar, cameras, and calibration procedures.
• Diagnostic software and electronic fault tracing.

Keep in mind, troubleshooting an ABS system is NOT going to qualify you to repair an autonomous brake system. But becoming familiar with these existing technologies will act as a foundation that can be expanded on later once the actual self-driving trucks arrive. And make no mistake, someone who can work on electronics is valuable right now (ASE even has a certification for it!). A shop that employs techs who understand sophisticated electronic controls could be better positioned to pursue additional autonomous-specific training when the time comes. 

Get comfortable with proactive testing of safety systems

Driverless trucks will need to respond safely if and when a component fails. Autonomous vehicle manufacturer Aurora describes redundant systems that can maintain critical functions even if a component has a problem. But who’s watching the watchmen? What happens if a backup system is the one having a problem while the primary system is working?

If a redundant power supply develops a fault, the truck could still appear “healthy” because the primary power is still rolling. But it no longer has its intended backup capability. 

That’s where proactive testing and verification could become an important service category. Autonomous fleets will need ways to confirm that their safety-critical systems (including backups) are functioning properly before Starscream attacks something goes wrong. Shops that can perform manufacturer-approved tests and interpret the results could find themselves providing specialized inspections and maintenance services. 

For now, shops can start building that expertise by:

• Training techs to understand system redundancy and fault detection.
• Improving their ability to interpret electronic diagnostic and health monitoring data.
• Learning how manufacturers recommend testing and verifying electronically controlled safety systems.

This could lead to increased vigilance in the maintenance department. It won’t be enough to verify that a system works. Techs may also need to confirm that the safety mechanisms designed to protect it work, too. 

Learn about sensor calibration

So, the good news is ADAS calibration is already relevant in some commercial vehicles. But autonomous trucks take the importance of accurate sensors and perception systems much, much further.

A component doesn’t need to be broken for its sensing system to need attention. That means depending on a vehicle and its manufacturer’s procedures, repairs involving steering, suspension, alignment, body components, or sensor mounting could mean additional checks or calibration are required.

This creates a potential opportunity for shops interested in expanding their services. As trucks become increasingly reliant on cameras, sensors, and lidar — which uses lasers to measure distance — there’s likely to be a greater demand for techs who know how those systems work and how to verify they’re operating correctly.

Great, right? Small catch. Autonomous vehicle manufacturers may restrict access to certain diagnostic software, calibration procedures, or proprietary equipment. Independent shops won’t necessarily be able to service every system, even if they have qualified technicians. This could lead to an additional business opportunity where a shop can identify when calibration is necessary and refer a vehicle to a qualified provider, even if they can’t perform the calibration themselves. 

For now, shops could start learning:

• Which of its current vehicles, if any, have ADAS equipment.
• Which repairs trigger OEM-mandated calibration or verification.
• What equipment, environmental conditions, and training calibration work requires.
• How to record calibration results and verify a successful repair. 

That last point, by the way, is going to be important for maintenance liability. If a tech completes a mechanical repair but doesn’t properly check the connected safety system afterward, the job might not actually be finished. 

Speaking of documentation…

Get serious about documentation

Hold up, hold up, this isn’t just a shameless Fullbay plug (although Fullbay is great for inspections and recordkeeping!). 

Autonomous trucks don’t have drivers. So…some of the more traditional methods of gathering information about what might be wrong with them are, well, no longer applicable. Who does the daily inspection? Who reports defects that would ordinarily be spotted by a driver? 

These are questions the FMCSA has already been circling. The agency has discussed potential requirements for pre-trip and post-trip inspections, periodic inspections of autonomous systems, and specialized qualifications for people performing autonomous-related inspection and repair work. 

Hey, lots of shops already perform inspections. This could create additional responsibilities and potentially new inspection and compliance services for shops that work with autonomous fleets.

For now, shops can prepare by improving how thoroughly they document inspections, diagnostics, and repairs. If you’re using Fullbay, you’re already ahead of the curve. But as autonomous technology expands, maintenance documentation could also need to include things like safety-system test results, sensor calibration records, software versions, and verification of repairs completed according to manufacturer procedures. 

Good records won’t just help shops demonstrate compliance. They could also prove valuable if a safety-related failure occurs and someone needs to establish what was inspected, repaired, or tested — and when it happened. 

Explore service partnerships

Ultimately, Dylan is probably right: a lot of the fancier tech won’t be offloaded to independent shops, at least not at first. But that doesn’t mean independent shops won’t have chances to get in on the action.

In fact, Aurora and Ryder announced a pilot program back in 2022 that embedded Ryder techs alongside Aurora techs at a terminal in South Dallas. The work included inspections, PM work, tractor repairs, and trailer maintenance. It’s a potential model for how autonomous fleet operators could work with outside maintenance providers. Manufacturer or specially trained techs might handle proprietary autonomous driving systems, while other qualified repair pros handle more familiar mechanical work. 

After all, autonomous trucks still have brakes, tires, suspension, cooling systems, and plenty of other components that require maintenance. And if they operate more hours per day (because robots don’t need sleep), they could accumulate mileage and wear and tear a lot faster. That means more frequent maintenance may be necessary. 

So don’t assume you need to hire or build an autonomous driving specialist or outfit your shop with a bunch of expensive equipment. Instead, start thinking about the services autonomous fleet operators might want to outsource. That could mean preventive maintenance, tire services, trailer repairs, mobile assistance, or even contracted maintenance at fleet terminals. 

Of course, there are no guarantees that this work will materialize for every shop. But keeping an eye on autonomous fleet operations in your region, and exploring partnerships as those fleets expand, could be a realistic place to start. 

TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT

This is the part of the movie where Optimus Prime makes an inspiring speech. Something like, Fate has yielded this reward: a new world to call home. We live among its people now, hiding in plain sight, but watching over them in secret, waiting…transporting their freight. 

Except autonomous trucks, while pretty cool-looking, are not from Cybertron. They are vehicles like any other; vehicles with some fancy technology in them, yes, but they’re still trucks. They’ll need maintenance and repairs like their more conventional diesel brethren, and your shop might be the one to provide them. So maybe develop some of the skills we discussed above; they’ll be useful whether driverless trucks arrive soon or not. 

But if a blue Peterbilt with flames (or a Freightliner if you were into the cartoon) shows up in the dead of night needing a fix, we suggest you get to it. You don’t want to keep Optimus Prime waiting.