(06/23/16) - The U.S. Army has made it a goal to develop trucks to provide supplies and ammo that don't need drivers, but before that can happen, the trucks need to be able to talk to each other.

Four specially-equipped Army trucks were brought to the rest area near Capac along I-69.

"They know what their location is, what they're doing, so they can work as a team together to go down the road," said Scott Heim, TARDEC engineer.

Governor Rick Snyder and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley checked out the trucks.

Michigan is playing a big role in the development of this program. Much of the work is being accomplished at the Army's TARDEC facilities in Warren. The Michigan Department of Transportation is providing roadside technology that helps the trucks understand the road better.

"We're moving forward on how we can deploy this on our public roads and bring his technology to bear to make Michigan a true leader," Snyder said.

Just after noon, the four trucks rolled west on I-69, headed for Lapeer. MDOT says the technology that's being developed will be eventually available for everyone, and when it's fully implemented, could reduce traffic deaths in the state by 80 percent.

"At the end of the day, that's the most important thing to the Department of Transportation, it's the safety component," said Kirk Steudle, MDOT director.

Supporters of the project say reducing the number of soldiers in a military supply convoy has great potential for saving lives.