Tesla should make a Semi Trailer

[Lasairfion]

with an automatic lowering tailgate that has special rollers to allow it to be lowered at speed.
Then your autopiloted roadster will drive off it and whisk you away to adventure!

 

[Lasairfion]

I was watching Knight Rider recently, (Series 4 Episode 5) and the following bit of dialogue was quite amusing:

Michael: "The foundation manual specifically states on page 47, section C - 'When not otherwise engaged the semi-driver should be behind the wheel'."

RC (the driver): "Yeah but Bonnie's autopilot is so smooth."

Devon: "It really is a trifling bit unsettling to find RC chatting away in here while 30 tons of truck rolls down the highway driverless."

 

[Nomad]

They really should. I think it's more likely when they have achieved Level 5 autonomy.

They could do something similar to this: Dethleffs puts a new spin on towing with an electric camping trailer that nearly drives itself

 

[Lasairfion]

I was just thinking. The Tesla cars have cameras all around for the autopilot. Particularly a camera at the rear. I would imagine that any trailer used with the semi will either have to have a compatible reversing camera already on the trailer that could be calibrated, or you'll have to add some sort of temporary 'camera bar' like you do a lighting bar on a car trailer.

Thus it would behoove Tesla to create their own semi-trailers with rear (and possibly side) cameras and other sensors built in.

If they're going to do that then why not cover the roof of the trailer with solar panels...

They could do something similar to this: Dethleffs puts a new spin on towing with an electric camping trailer that nearly drives itself

... and most certainly it would allow for much greater range (or speed, or load capacity) if the trailer also had a battery pack and drive-train.

This, along with some of their snazzy autopilot software could mean on arrival the trailers could disengage and go park themselves (or hitch themselves up) even. At a push (since less aerodynamics) the trailers could perhaps even self-drive short distances such as around or between depots, or to multiple local customers if they were shorter double trailers.

Oh, the possibilities!

 

[Lasairfion]

Looks like Bosch is thinking along the same lines
Bosch unveils new electric semitrailers that can save over $10,000 per year through regen braking

 

[AMPd]

I was just thinking. The Tesla cars have cameras all around for the autopilot. Particularly a camera at the rear. I would imagine that any trailer used with the semi will either have to have a compatible reversing camera already on the trailer that could be calibrated, or you'll have to add some sort of temporary 'camera bar' like you do a lighting bar on a car trailer.

Thus it would behoove Tesla to create their own semi-trailers with rear (and possibly side) cameras and other sensors built in.

If they're going to do that then why not cover the roof of the trailer with solar panels...



... and most certainly it would allow for much greater range (or speed, or load capacity) if the trailer also had a battery pack and drive-train.

This, along with some of their snazzy autopilot software could mean on arrival the trailers could disengage and go park themselves (or hitch themselves up) even. At a push (since less aerodynamics) the trailers could perhaps even self-drive short distances such as around or between depots, or to multiple local customers if they were shorter double trailers.

Oh, the possibilities!

How would adding weight to a trailer increase load capacity?