Driverless lorries could save the road haulage industry £33 billion over the course of the next 10 years, but some firms are still reluctant to buy into the idea.

Plans are in place for the first ever driverless lorries to hit UK roads next year and the innovative vehicle revolution has proved to be a hit with major haulage companies.

AXA, the insurance provider, estimates that the introduction of autonomous trucks could save around £33 billion for the UK haulage industry over the next 10 year period.

The huge savings will be brought about by companies being able to overcome any issues with staff such as illness and absenteeism as well as their resources being used in a better way.

While the industry on the whole seems to be supportive of the driverless notion, there are many companies who object to the idea.

One of these is Pool based haulage firm ETS Trucks, which is determined to maintain its human element.

The company’s Managing Director, Colin Gale, says that there will always be a human element to the automation industry.

He said that human control is necessary due to problems with access to and exits from local roads, including arrival and departure, as well as many road spaces being heavily congested.

Mr Gale added that it is a well known fact that British motorways are the most congested in Europe and that other motorists will be very wary of driverless lorries. For this reason, he said that the driverless lorry concept should not be introduced for some time, at least until other road users are prepared for its inception.

The driverless lorry idea works through camera systems and wireless communication, with tests already carried out on a truck convoy.

The truck at the front uses lane sensing technology so that it stays in the lines, while others follow behind.