Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/358493
24 | Overdrive | August 2014 EquipmEnt D uring a July 3 global press conference in Magdeburg, Germany, Daimler hosted its Shaping Future Transportation 2014 conference, where the decided star was "Highway Pilot." The fully functioning autonomous truck operated at real-world speeds on a special section of the Autobahn. Daimler said the truck could be ready for deployment by 2025, cautioning that much work remains to be done before autonomous trucking enters real-world use. The truck's autopilot system does not eliminate the driver's role, but turns him or her into a "transport manager." Daimler said the system will offer drivers an "attractive mobile workplace offering scope for new professional skills." Daimler said the technology doesn't amount to a new truck, but instead a shift in how the transport system is developing. Wolfgang Bernhard, Daimler Trucks' global head, said the new system will offer the highest possible level of traffic safety while conserving resources, reducing emissions and eliminating the stresses experienced by drivers in tough road and traffic conditions. Highway Pilot communicates with its environment and surrounding vehicles while driving autonomously. A driver re- mains at the control, much like an airline Daimler debuts driverless truck Europe exporting tech – and big changes A trip to Germany last month, along with a recent visit to Mer- itor in Italy, confirmed that big technological transfor- mations are coming from Eu- rope to the North American trucking industry. Meritor's innovative "in- telligent axle" was Exhibit A. Daimler's autonomous truck was Exhibit B. Ex- hibit C: ZF's Traxon AMT and Smart Truck Maneu- vering System, along with intelligent chassis and ride control systems that use electronic sensors. Stories on the surrounding pages expand upon these announcements. Beyond the gee-whiz factor, these tech- nologies raise questions about what's in store for drivers. Do I think that in 10 years, truck drivers will be obsolete and that rolling robots will be hauling our goods? No. Do I think that in certain cities 10 years from now, a driver stuck in heavy traffic will be able to turn control of the truck over to an onboard computer and rest while the vehicle drives itself through the congestion? Absolutely. Do I think a driver faced with a tricky backing situation will be able to climb down from the cab, walk to the back of the truck and use his tablet or smartphone to guide the trailer? Without a doubt. Do I think that fleets struggling to find drivers will embrace technology that will allow a driver in a lead truck to steer a convoy of two or three vehicles across the country with no drivers in the trailing vehicles? Yes. Do I think the driver in that lead truck will be a highly trained, highly paid specialist? Without question. Don't panic – these changes will not hit all at once. There will be head- aches, but there also will be concrete advantages. Owner-operators and fleets that deal with the learning curve and understand these new systems are going to be ahead of the game. By Jack Roberts For videos of test drives by Equipment Editor Jack Roberts, see the Drive Tests playlist at youtube.com/ OverdriveMag. The Highway Pilot test truck uses internal and external controls to guide itself through traffic without any driver input. (Continued on Page 26)