By John Carpenter

Blue Sky Reporter

We might have to wait a few years to see driverless semis, but “platooning” could be just around the corner.

If you’re of a certain age, close your eyes and picture the 1975 novelty hit film “Convoy.” Then take away the frightening over-reliance on the reflexes of drivers called “Pig Pen” and “Rubber Duck.”

Soon platooning technology will allow trucks to line up in a train-like row, spaced about 40 feet apart, automatically braking and accelerating as a unit in response to the lead driver — all the while banking impressive fuel savings with every mile, according to Darren Gosbee, director of advanced technology at Lisle-based Navistar.

To read the rest of this story, first published in the Chicago Tribune July 24, 2015, and to view an accompanying video, click here.