I think you’re missing the general point.

In the cases you’ve described, having automated semis would not be feasible. Automated cars already have a hard time in San Fran and AZ cities with smooth asphalt as it is.

The places where automated semis make the most sense, i.e. large, well maintained highways connecting large urban centres, can be better served with automated railways.

The engineering is much simpler, fewer degrees of freedom and a much more constrained problem space (and hence constrained solution space), for automated railways than highways. Creating a safer environment for all. Also not having to deal with semis as an individual driver.

Railways (funded through private investment): https://www.aar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AAR-Rail-Network-Map-2025-1.jpg.webp

Highways (publicly owned, operated, maintained): https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/images/nhs.pdf

There is some good coverage with railroads, but as you said not nearly extensive as the public road network. But I bet you the vast majority (above 60%) are along corridors with railways. However two big hurdles need to be overcome, greater investment in throughput capacity and the fact that trucks can go from ware house to ware house.

However both issues can be solved.

Privatize gains, socialize losses. The Capitalist^TM way!

Why not make automated trains with their own dedicated right of way?

The original press release from MIT news is here: https://news.mit.edu/2023/using-ai-mit-researchers-identify-antibiotic-candidates-1220

Paper the press release refers to: https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/153216

The lab this is being worked on: https://www.collinslab.mit.edu/

The paper as listed on the lab’s website: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c264953620b850c9fb03732/t/658331812865e60a33af40ea/1703096709558/nature_wong.pdf

The audacious project: https://www.audaciousproject.org/grantees/collins-lab

I think we should cultivate a habit of linking to the original material

Good point but the upgradability is important to

Why don’t we just take investor money and invest in it ourselves?

Others have already pointed out that the covid vaccine was publicly funded ergo the benefit should be publicly owned