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Impact of AI on Career Growth of Truck Drivers

Truck drivers play a critical role in the supply chain, which is the backbone of any economy. They facilitate the transportation of key essential items from one place to another. For years, truck drivers have worked in a challenging environment that requires them to work long hours, exposes them to career uncertainty, have the same salary for years and have many more issues. With AI, many issues that they have been facing are now addressed, giving drivers a better working environment, job stability, better remuneration, and many more benefits. In this blog, we will discuss how AI has impacted their lives.

Life of a Truck Driver Before AI

Before AI was introduced, the lives of truck drivers were very hectic, and below are a few aspects where they faced a lot of hardships:

• Finding Work – Drivers for years have been getting work via agents, transport brokers, etc. The risk that they faced included uncertainty about their employer, salary, working conditions, and other related factors. As they did not have many options, they were hesitant to demand anything from the employer because of the fear of losing their job.
• Long Working Hours – Employers would put a lot of pressure on the driver to deliver goods with unrealistic expectations. This expectation would affect drivers’ sleep cycles, and mental and physical health.
• Route Details – Drivers would mostly rely on word of mouth when they had to deliver goods from one place to another. This would put them at risk of taking the wrong route, halting at wrong place in the wrong time, and being unsure of the conditions of the roads and traffic jams.
• Food & Resting Place – Drivers would always stay in a dilemma regarding where to eat good food, places where they can stop their vehicle, and when they can have food.
• Connectivity – It was difficult for drivers to stay connected with their family in case they did not have a reliable network on the roads, and the primary means of communication was mostly through calls.
• Health Care & Personal Well-Being – In case of any unfortunate event, drivers would mostly stay dependent on the employer. The risk was that the employer might not provide assistance, and even if help was offered, the financial support would likely be insufficient for the driver and their family.

How AI Is Changing the Way Drivers Work

With the introduction of AI, the following transformations in drivers' lives are becoming increasingly evident:

• Finding Work – With different mobile applications and websites, drivers are able to find better opportunities for themselves across any part of India. Drivers can check the benefits offered by the employers and negotiate accordingly. The other good thing is they can see feedback from the employers.
• Long Working Hours – With advanced search and navigation systems, the driver knows exactly how much time it will take them to reach the destination. Drivers can now easily identify which area will have the most traffic and at what times. With the detailed data from multiple media and languages, they can effectively plan their trip and set expectations with their employer.
• Route Details – AI now can easily help them understand the best route for them in terms of distance and time. They exactly know where the petrol pumps and service centre are. 
• Food & Resting Place – Drivers can search for restaurants that offer good food at various prices and also check the reviews of these establishments.
• Connectivity – With AI, drivers are and will be able to connect with their families in multiple ways and in many engaging ways. They can share their live locations, photos, voice recordings, and even video recordings with their family.
• Health Care & Personal Well-Being – With AI, drivers can procure insurance for themselves and their families at the best market price, connect with doctors easily and procure medicines as well. AI can give health tips for long drives.

Safer Driving and Skill Development with AI Support

With many AI features getting incorporated into modern trucks, drivers are now able to drive safely with features like speed limits, advanced braking, fast driving alerts, maps on the driving dashboard, etc. Many applications provide learning resources to drivers, which greatly assist them in understanding how to drive safely on challenging routes, as well as offering tips on fuel efficiency and health care.

Building Trust and Career Stability Through Digital Profiles

There are multiple platforms available online which help drivers create their digital profile, where they can upload their licences, and experience and performance certificates. Potential employers can hire the most skilled drivers, who are also compensated well because of their experience. Transparency between drivers and the truck owners fosters a more favourable working environment.

Supporting Driver Career Growth Through Platforms Like TruckMitr

TruckMitr helps drivers find jobs where the employers are verified, and it removes middlemen, agents, and brokers, which helps drivers get better commissions. With a single click, drivers can access information about the vehicle details, route details, and payment details. TruckMitr assists drivers in creating their digital profiles, learning new skills, and connecting with verified employers. With technology, TruckMitr helps drivers to grow in every aspect of their career and work confidently.