How satellite phones and tracking transformed truck drivers’ lives

A new documentary series by Danish broadcaster DR explores how technology reshaped the working lives of long-haul truckers, replacing independence with constant digital oversight.

The series, Landevejens Konger (Kings of the Road), features veteran drivers reflecting on an era when communication with employers meant stopping at a payphone—if one could be found. Today, real-time satellite tracking, digital logs, and instant messaging have improved safety and efficiency but erased much of the autonomy that once defined the profession.

Danish transport giant DSV, now one of the world’s largest logistics companies, began as a trucking operation. The series traces its growth alongside the technological shifts that redefined the industry. While drivers acknowledge the benefits of modern systems—fewer accidents, optimized routes, and faster response times—many still mourn the loss of the open-road freedom that drew them to the job.

The first episode is available on DR’s streaming platform, DRTV.