Mercedes-Benz has taken to the German motorway with a self-driving truck. The German truck manufacturer is keen to get more insight into how the trucks function in practice so that the technology can be used more widely in the future.
After numerous tests within a safe environment, the truck was now tested on public roads. The truck drove between the German cities of Stuttgart and Denkendorf over a distance of more than 20 kilometres.
During this first test drive that went successfully, a board member of Daimler, of which Mercedes-Benz is part, was behind the wheel.
Driver controls
A self-driving truck does have a driver who, in case of an approaching problem or dangerous situation, can intervene. Otherwise, the vehicle drives completely independently on autopilot. In doing so, the system uses cameras, radar and adaptive cruise control, among other things, to ensure the distance to the predecessor. The driver remains responsible even in this new situation and will monitor the system during the journey.
Number of accidents
The self-driving truck, so-called autonomous cars, should ensure that the number of accidents involving trucks decreases drastically. In 90 per cent of accidents, driver error is the cause of the accident which is mainly due to driver fatigue or distraction.
Also read: First self-driving trucks on the road
Self-driving trucks in the Netherlands
A test of self-driving trucks was also held in the Netherlands early this year. A convoy of three Scania trucks drove along the A28 near Zwolle in February under the watchful eye of Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen of Infrastructure and the Environment.
Trials of autonomous vehicle on public roads have also been conducted in the US since this year.
Image: The aim ofMercedez Benz is to drive such trucks on the motorway by 2025. The driver does not have to keep his attention on the road, but can quietly look at his iPad.
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