Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/522363
June 2015 | Overdrive | 23 and marketing for DTNA. "Drivers can optimize their time on the road while also handling other important logistical tasks, from scheduling to routing. The autono- mous vehicle technology not only contrib- utes to improved safety and efficiency, but also allows for improved communication through connectivity and integration." The system can alleviate fatigue by allowing drivers to cede control to the truck for long periods of time, said Martin Daum, DTNA president and chief executive officer. Also, because of the truck's collision-avoidance and related systems, it is expected to have reduced accident rates. Freightliner said the truck also will have improved fuel economy, which will be enhanced when platooning autono- mous vehicles are introduced. Last year at the launch of Daimler's first autonomous truck in Germany, Daum said the role of a driver gradually may shift to more of a "logistics man- ager," but that fully autonomous trucks running without a human driver didn't interest the company. Highway Pilot regulates speed, applies brakes and steers. The truck automatically complies with posted speed limits, regulates the distance For test-driving the Inspiration Truck, I wasn't able to take the wheel — or perhaps I should say put myself behind the wheel — because Nevada requires an autonomous vehicle CDL endorsement. But the ride was enlightening just the same. My driver, Freightliner technical engineer Jim Martin, demonstrated the autonomous drive function on Interstate 15 running past the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. When in autonomous mode, which restricts maneuvers to the truck's lane, the truck rode smoothly and safely. The system effectively dealt with the day's gusting crosswinds and a tricky dogleg curve. At no time did I feel uncomfortable. Apart from the fact that the steering wheel was swirling around on its own without any human input, the feel was much the same as having a breathing driver in control. Aside from some high- tech instrumentation and information centers, the truck felt as comfortable as any luxury-spec'd Cascadia. An actual human driver still must remain behind the wheel at all times in a Level 3 autonomous vehicle such as the Inspiration, but Martin showed that switching between autonomous and driv- er control is as easy as flipping on cruise control or grabbing the steering wheel. Nevada requires a driver to be behind the wheel and alert at all times in an au- tonomous vehicle. The driver can't legally sleep or leave the driver's seat. Still, when the driver shifts to auton- omous mode, he can take a break from driving and relax, or he can stay busy, using the iPad-like screen mounted in the truck's center console to check in with the folks back home, verify his trip time- table, research truck stops or restaurants or search for a backhaul. One thing the ride made clear is that the Inspiration cannot function without a human driver. We're years — if not decades — away from a time where robot trucks without any human interaction deliver our goods. That said, I'll be the first to admit that things on the self-driving front are moving fast — much faster than I'd have thought even a year ago. The next devel- opments might take place faster than any of us imagine. THE INSPIRATION RIDE: LITTLE TRACE OF BIG CHANGE Freightliner's Jim Martin demonstrates hands-free driving for journalists at the Inspiration's introduction. Jack Roberts is equip- ment editor for Over- drive and Commercial Carrier Journal. See videos of this drive test and others in the Drive Tests playlist at youtube.com/ OverdriveMag. As soon as a driver puts the Inspiration on the highway, he receives a visual prompt in the instru- ment cluster to acti- vate the Highway Pilot. The vehicle switches to autonomous mode and adapts to the speed of traffic. The driver can override the system at any time.