In 36 seasons and nearly 800 episodes, The Simpsons has an uncanny track record of predicting real-life events years before they happen.
Some of the most famous predictions include Donald Trump becoming president (Season 11, 2000), Disney buying 20th Century Fox (Season 10, 1998), and smartwatches (Season 6, 1995). The show also foresaw autocorrect fails (Season 6, 1994), video calls like FaceTime (Season 6, 1995), and even the Siegfried & Roy tiger attack (Season 5, 1993).
Now, an episode from 1999 entitled "Maximum Homerdrive" is coming true on Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston.
In this episode, Homer takes over a trucker's delivery route after the driver dies from eating a massive steak. Along the way, he discovers that big rigs actually drive themselves using an automated system, allowing truckers to relax while pretending to steer.
This eerily foreshadowed the rise of self-driving trucks, which are now being developed by companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Aurora.
Fully autonomous big rigs have now begun rolling down Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston. Developed by Aurora Innovation, these self-driving freight trucks are the first of their kind to operate commercially in the U.S. without a human driver in the cab.
How It Works
Aurora’s AI-powered system, known as the Aurora Driver, uses a combination of LiDAR, radar, and cameras to navigate highways, detect obstacles, and respond to changing road conditions. The company claims its technology can see up to 1,476 feet ahead and react 11 seconds faster than human drivers in certain situations.
Safety & Industry Impact
While Aurora insists its trucks are safer than human-operated rigs, concerns remain about how these vehicles will handle unexpected hazards and highway emergencies. The company is currently suing federal regulators over a rule requiring trucks to deploy roadside warning devices when stopped—something a driverless vehicle cannot physically do.
The trucking industry is watching closely, as labor shortages and rising costs have made automation an attractive solution. However, labor unions argue that fully autonomous trucks could eliminate thousands of jobs, despite claims that displaced drivers could transition to short-haul trucking roles.
What’s Next?
Aurora plans to expand operations to El Paso and Phoenix by the end of the year, with additional capabilities like night driving and all-weather operation in development. Other companies, including Waymo and Kodiak Robotics, are also racing to deploy their own autonomous trucking fleets.
As Texas becomes the testing ground for driverless freight transport, the debate over safety, regulation, and job displacement is only just beginning.
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