Daimler’s Big Bet on Autonomous Semi-Trucks
As if the trucking industry isn’t suffering enough already, there’s a palpable threat for the future of commercial trucking as we know it, and in Germany, such disruptive tests are already taking place.
Daimler, the German automotive giant and parent company of Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, and Western Star trucks, has built a small army of engineers to develop and improve their “Highway Pilot” system, which encompasses the usage of radar connectivity, stereo-camera monitoring systems, as well as vehicle-to-vehicle V2X communication systems, in order safely navigate through roads and traffic semi-autonomously, and without the need for “special” highways.
Although the program is a couple of years old, it’s only been recent news that has caught the attention of the public and media alike. In fact, a small fleet of self-driving Mercedes-Benz Actros semi-trucks was recently deployed from Stuttgart, Germany, and are scheduled to conclude their 692 mile semi-autonomous trip to the Netherlands tomorrow. It’s worth mentioning that these trial runs are semi-autonomous, as the trucks are still manned in order to supervise safe passing, entering, exiting, and changing lane maneuvers on the highway.
Sister-company, Freightliner, completed a self-driving stint across Nevada last year, which has been the only public trial of such technology in the United States, which like many countries, is facing a tough (but emerging) trucking industry and shortage of qualified truck drivers.
Daimler strives to be the first company-to-market with semi-autonomous and connected trucks, and their target is to increase your company’s productivity and profits, while reducing the ecological footprint.
It’s only a matter of time, folks!