The one behind the wheel – Tales of the Courier
It isn’t the machine. And it isn’t the weather. A little of both helps, but neither is as effective as the one behind the wheel. 1courier shrugs. Maybe that is true. Or maybe some robot is eventually going to make it a proving ground. Still, this is the here and now, and as far as he can see, there’s no robot to worry about at the moment. He downshifts the ride, and lets the motor slow the roll.
Two years ago they couldn’t roll a delivery like this. In fact, they were going to go another way, until the breakthrough. That changed enough for the entire program’s redirection. Now, they are testing the new tech. All they needed was a few test subjects. 1courier thinks back to the good old days. Then he thinks a little harder. Once upon a time it was humans pushing the envelope, or setting the bar. Now there is competition for that standard. Robots. AI. Things are changing fast. But it still matters who’s behind the wheel.
1courier slams the brakes. Then he quickly corrects the ride. His action saves costly turn around time. Of course it was his distraction, that caused him to almost miss the turn. He grins. It’s always a positive to polish the skills. Now for the last part. Locking in on the destination. He had to get it right the first time. Furthermore, it was a sure bet the robot would get it right the first time. Unless…
The One Behind the Wheel
He double checks the rear view. All clear. Next is the trip back to HQ. This is a test. In fact, this is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency, the robot might not care. Or the robot is the emergency. 1courier thinks that’s a little more like it. As he enters the lot, the cargo sits neatly at the curb, close to the building. Furthermore, it’s plainly marked. At least they made the competition easy. When he reaches the cargo it only takes a minute to load it. That’s when he notices the robot’s cargo spot is empty. It appears 1courier is running behind.
Of course HQ doesn’t want the test to be too challenging. For the robot. He tries to remember the last time he went to pick up cargo that was laying around outside. In fact, today is the first time. Ordinarily, it’s a hunt to find the cargo. For example, he tracks it down. Then there are times when waiting for it is the only way. It takes grit to know which is worth it, and which isn’t. Can a robot have grit? He studies on it while he watches the highway zip past.
Tales of the Courier
Out on the highway the traffic is thin. Perfect for a little catch up work. The ride is built for a smooth highway run. It handles the speed easily. Within minutes 1courier is at the exit. Just seven miles of city streets and this test will be in the books. Besides the robot picked up the cargo. That’s half the job. Furthermore, the technology is advanced. Fool proof…his thought fizzles as he reaches the roundabout. The robot car from HQ is there. And then there again. And now, there again. He watches the car go round and round the roundabout.
The robot car is stuck in the roundabout. 1courier busts out laughing. It’s not that he’s surprised. There are going to be hiccups when trying out new tech. However, if they would have just listened to him, this wouldn’t be an issue. He watches the car mindlessly circle the roundabout. There’s no way a Tesla would get stuck in this loop. They should have done this with a Tesla. It matters who’s behind the wheel.
Behind the Wheel
On the next loop he jumps the ride in front of the runaway machine. The jolt is expected as the bumpers collide. 1courier holds his brake. However, the robot ride behind him begins to slow down. And with a little coaxing he gets both vehicles to come to a stop. The complete cessation of all forward motion gets the desired effect. The robot resets itself. Then the HQ robot test vehicle behind 1courier eases out of the roundabout and resumes its previous course. In fact, it races off, to resume its course.
He watches it race off, and puts his vehicle in park. The sudden jolt from the impact stalled the ride. He keys the ignition, and gets nothing. Again he tries and again, nothing. Now he’s stuck in the roundabout. The m-com link flashes. It’s HQ with a quick message. However, it sums up the day perfectly he thinks. “The autocourier wins, flawless victory, better luck next time 1courier.”
To be continued…
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