The dawn of autonomous trucking is upon us, and it looks nothing like science fiction. Aurora, a tech startup, has launched the first commercial driverless truck service between Dallas and Houston, signaling a potential revolution in long-haul transportation.

The implications are profound. Online commentators quickly zeroed in on the human cost - thousands of trucking jobs could vanish as autonomous vehicles become more prevalent. Yet the conversation isn't just about job displacement. It's about reimagining an entire industry that has been a backbone of American economic infrastructure.

The trucking landscape is already changing. A national driver shortage, coupled with grueling working conditions, has made the profession less attractive to younger workers. Autonomous trucks might be less a disruption and more a solution to an already strained system.

Technology companies are betting big on this transition. By removing human limitations like fatigue and mandated rest periods, autonomous trucks promise more efficient, potentially safer transportation. Initial routes are carefully chosen - in this case, a straightforward highway corridor with predictable conditions.

The broader question remains: How will society adapt? While some online commentators see this as inevitable technological progress, others worry about the human cost of such rapid transformation.