Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/599511
34 commercial carrier journal | november 2015 I n May, when Freightliner pulled the curtain back on its new Inspiration autonomous truck model, the company promised CDL-holding journalists the opportunity to get a Nevada autonomous truck endorsement in the fall. Freightliner proved as good as its word: After a surprisingly brief training session back in Nevada, I found myself fully endorsed to operate any autonomous Class 8 vehicle in the state. When it came time to break in my card at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, just north of Sin City, Freightliner engineer Jim Martin was my instructor, riding in the passenger seat. He noted that Freightliner took great pains to make sure the brains of the High- way Pilot autonomous driving system were intuitive to operate. Indeed, Highway Pilot is only as complex as running a conventional cruise control system. As sensational as the autonomous truck concept may be, it's a bit demystifying that it's the integration of existing technologies that enables autonomous vehicle control. Highway Pilot's sensor systems include specialized cameras that track lane markings, two radar systems, GPS vehicle tracking systems and Detroit's DT12 automated manual transmis- sion. All of these systems are tested and on the market today, some in widespread fleet use, save one: an electric servo motor con- nected to the steering column. It translates signals from Highway Pilot's electronic control system into steering wheel movements. Highway Pilot doesn't simply drive the truck; it leverages the DT12 to deliver optimal fuel economy through optimal shifting. It also can lend driver support in little ways you might not think about. We were dealing with pretty significant crosswinds during my drive, and I was steering the truck when one particularly My turn Going hands-on, hands-off with an autonomous truck By Jack RoBeRts T E S T D R I V E : F R E I G H T L I N E R I N S P I R A T I O N The technologies that enable au- tonomous control on Freightliner's Inspiration are mostly sensor sys- tems available in today's market, except for a motor connected to the steering column. Highway Pilot's sensor systems include specialized cameras that track lane markings, two radar systems, GPS vehicle tracking systems and Detroit's DT12 automated manual transmission.