Could human error in trucking be drastically reduced, making highways a safer place? In this episode of Full Tech Ahead, Amanda Razani sits down with Bart Teeter, Director of Fleet and Operational Safety at Bot Auto, to explore the cutting-edge world of autonomous trucking. With 26 years in the Texas Highway Patrol, Bart brings unmatched expertise in safety, regulation, and commercial vehicle operations. Today, he applies that experience to level four autonomous trucks, aiming to make highways safer, more efficient, and more reliable. Bart’s journey from law enforcement to tech startup is inspiring, showing how innovation and experience can intersect to solve real-world problems.
Timestamps
[03:25] State of autonomous vehicles
[05:55] Goal of driverless trucks
[08:54] Challenges in autonomous trucking
[13:21] Experience with autonomous ride-sharing
[16:34] Cybersecurity concerns
[18:51] Regulatory challenges across the U.S.
[23:10] Impact on trucking jobs
[26:36] Key takeaways
[28:52] Conclusion
Quotes:

• “95% of those crashes somebody did something wrong. Humans are very good drivers until they’re not, and that’s where we have a mess.”
• “Our trucks will never drive drunk, tired, distracted, or angry. They are 100% focused on the driving task, 100% of the time.”
• “Every day, at least one person has lost their life on Texas highways. Autonomy gives us a chance to save those lives.”
• “We’re not taking trucking jobs. We’re filling gaps and creating new opportunities for modern truck operations.”

Key Takeaways:

1. Autonomous trucking can reduce human error and improve highway safety.
2. Regulatory alignment is essential for scaling autonomous operations nationwide.
3. Public trust and cybersecurity are critical to adoption.
4. Career opportunities in trucking are evolving, creating tech-focused roles alongside traditional driving positions.

Links Mentioned
Bot Auto: https://www.botauto.com
Waymo autonomous rides: [https://www.waymo.com](https://www.waymo.com)

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/