Daimler unveils autonomous truck

Daimler has showcased its Future Truck 2025 – an autonomous truck that it says could be a reality on European roads within a decade

Daimler Trucks has shone a light on the future of the global truck industry by conducting an on-road test of an autonomous prime mover with trailer in Germany.

Dubbed 'Future Truck 2025', the highly advanced prototype was showcased to several hundred media, industry experts and government agencies along a 30-kilometre stretch of autobahn near Magdeburg, west of Berlin, on Thursday, July 3.

The test was conducted in controlled but realistic driving conditions, the truck often surrounded by numerous other vehicles.

Daimler Trucks says the prototype, which could potentially be available in production form from as early as 2025, relies on a suite of radar sensors plus a camera and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technologies.

The prototype is based on a Mercedes-Benz Actros. With a camouflaged exterior and a dash cloaked under a shroud, the truck pulled Mercedes-Benz's futuristic 'Aerodynamics Trailer' that was first premiered two years ago at Germany's International Commercial Vehicle Show.

At the heart of the prototype is Mercedes-Benz's 'Highway Pilot' system, which enables the truck to travel autonomously at a set speed of up to 85km/h. When Highway Pilot is active the vehicle monitors its surrounding environment and makes constant minute adjustments to its steering while maintaining a distance of 60 metres from the nearest vehicle ahead.

The driver is then free to press a button that moves his seat back and rotates it 45 degrees towards the passenger seat; he can then relax or attend to any of a number of other duties via the tablet touchscreen that serves as the vehicle's main control and communications device.

While Highway Pilot maintains full control of the vehicle it does not perform overtaking manoeuvres. To overtake a slower-moving vehicle the driver must resume manual control. The driver can always override the Highway Pilot system by steering, braking or accelerating as required.

Daimler says the technology can be compared with the most advanced system of autonomous mobility available today: that of autopilot on commercial jet aircraft. It also says the freeing up of the driver from actually driving the truck will transform his or her role, allowing them to effectively become 'transport managers' as they assume tasks previously carried out by office workers at shipping companies, for example.

The fully networked driving environment of the future will mean vehicle speeds can be regulated to improve traffic flow and reduce fuel economy, while for trucks autonomous driving will also enhance scheduling. Furthermore, Daimler says the technology will reduce the number accidents previously caused through driver error.

According to Dr Wolfgang Bernhard (pictured), the member of Daimler's Board of Management responsible for Daimler Trucks and Buses, the technology has the power to transform the global trucking industry.

"The Future Truck 2025 is our response to the major challenges and opportunities associated with road freight transport in the future," he said.

"With the Future Truck 2025, Daimler Trucks is once again highlighting its pioneering role in innovative technologies and is opening up a new era in truck transport."

Dr Bernhard said a crucial phase for the progression of autonomous driving now rests with government regulators.

"If the legislative framework for autonomous driving can be created quickly, the launch of the Highway Pilot is conceivable by the middle of the next decade," he said.

"That's why Daimler Trucks is committed to maintaining a dialogue with government officials and authorities, and with all other parties affected by this development. We believe the chances of success are good, because autonomous driving combines the ability to achieve business and technology objectives with the creation of benefits for society and the environment."

Daimler unveils autonomous truck

Tags