Artificial intelligence takes on the road as truck drivers search for alternatives

There is evidence all around us that humans are gradually becoming obsolete, the empty cashier lines in the grocery store while customers choose "self"-checkout, being just one example. There was a time when science fiction was just that--fiction--and the fantastic world of technology was just a dream. But reality is different today and the world of James Cameron's "Terminator" suddenly seems more realistic than ever. The most recent development has been the creation of automated automobiles, an idea that has been around for many years but has always seemed too far-fetched. Cruise control has a whole new meaning in these vehicles, as advanced computers use GPS and radar to electronically guide them through the streets. Innovation has occurred mostly in large transportation trucks, 18-wheelers.