Will mirrors become a thing of the past?

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will present a revolutionary new truck with cameras instead of mirrors at the Brisbane Truck Show later this month.

Instead of using traditional mirrors, the new Mercedes-Benz truck uses its new MirrorCam system, which features aerodynamic cameras connected to two large screens in the cabin that dramatically boost driver vision.

We first saw this concept in the Fuso Vision One at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2017.

The new generation Mercedes-Benz truck, which will soon hit the road in Europe, also features a new multimedia interface system with two high-resolution tablet-style screens that can be customised for driver preference, much like displays in high-end Mercedes-Benz road cars.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia says it is confident that the new system will pass Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and get the OK to be used on Australian roads.

The new truck also offers a raft of new features including GPS-assisted Predictive Powertrain Control for increased efficiency, enhanced connectivity and the latest generation of advanced safety tech.

The MirrorCam system is claimed to enhance fuel economy thanks to the reduced drag of the small camera pods that replace the regular mirrors. The increased range of vision that can be displayed on the two screens in the cabin, and the lack of a physical mirror blocking some of the view, is also set to deliver a big improvement for drivers.

Mercedes-Benz has further improved driver control over a range of systems with new buttons added to the steering wheel, which allow drivers to change what information is displayed on the two large screens.

Mercedes-Benz will also present a spacious new sleeper cab concept in Brisbane with an innovative interior cab layout focused on the driver.

The company is looking at further increasing comfort levels with an even larger mattress, increased storage capacity and a clever lounge-style passenger seat arrangement called the SoloStar Concept.

The idea of the feature is to maximise the living space of the cab and create two different spaces, one for resting and another for sleeping. When the bed is folded up against the wall, the driver can enjoy a corner lounge-style seat that rests in the back corner of the cab and opens up a vast amount of legroom in conjunction with a flat walk-through floor.

The lounge-style seat can be used by the driver during rest stops or can be used as a traditional passenger seat.

The Brisbane Truck Show will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 16 to 19.