Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has unveiled the ‘Future Truck 2025’, a self-driving truck, last week on an autobahn in Germany.
The test vehicle integrates Daimler’s auto-drive Highway Pilot software system, and was seen cruising along the A14 Autobahn before hundreds of spectators and media.
Daimler have said that they aim to be the leading manufacturer in this market in the future, with Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, member of Daimler’s Board of Management adding: “We believe the chances of success are good, because autonomous driving combines the ability to achieve business and technology objectives with the creation of benefits for society and the environment.”
What can the current test vehicle/software system achieve?
• Manage a real-time mix of road conditions and speeds
• Sophistication of software will allow drivers to handle administrative tasks while on the move
• Can move from activation to a full-stop
• Driver can switch from manual control to Highway Pilot, much like an airplane pilot does, and receives an electronic signal when they need to take the wheel.
• Regulates its own speed
• Automatically finds the best route using a navigation app
• Reduce stress for truck drivers, as transport company, dispatcher and goods recipient are informed of location and time scales in real time
• Combination of radar detectors and cameras scan the road and communicate with the truck’s Lane Keeping Assist system.
This is an interesting development in self-driving technology, which comes after news that the UK are pushing for technology developments in self-driving vehicles to match Google’s autonomous vehicle which is being tested in San Francisco.
However, there are doubts as to the legislation surrounding the technology, and who would be liable for accidents. As Bernhard commented: ‘The truck is on autopilot and, god forbid, something happens . . . who is liable? The responsibilities have to be thought out. How do we as a manufacturer make sure we cannot be blamed for everything that happens out there?’
Along with concerns regarding who would be to blame for accidents caused when the driver is not directly in control of the vehicle, there are also worries that the new technology could harm jobs in the industry, and may also be open to bugs, which could cause accidents.
Let us know your thoughts on self-driving trucks on Facebook or Twitter.