How Driverless Trucks In China Could Put 16 Million People Out Of A Job

China is pushing hard towards becoming a trailblazer when it comes to automation and intelligent engineering. Already the biggest market for industrial robots, the Chinese government has clearly identified its goals of becoming one of the pioneers in robotics and automated machinery. It will lead a major overhaul in how the Chinese industry functions and, amidst its robotic ambitions, the domain of driverless trucks is not far behind. Last year, the Chinese internet giant Baidu unveiled its self-driving truck, made in collaboration with Foton Motor Group, a step forward in revolutionizing not only the $300 billion Chinese transportation industry but also in boosting competitiveness in a slowing economy that aims to become the world's largest within the next decade. China's economic growth has slowed down in recent years and in 2015, its exports fell for just the second time since 1978, when China formally opened its borders.