Bringing Autonomous Trucking to Reality - Daimler Freightliner Inspiration

Autonomous trucking is nothing new, but it rather seems a milestone of future than a technology hovering around the corner. Although, there have been significant developments in the recent times, but still there is a long road to travel before it becomes operational on full-scale.

Nonetheless, making a progression towards the self-driving trucks, Daimler showcased its Freightliner Inspiration truck, which the company prefers to call a demonstration truck to show the capabilities of technology. The company emphasizes on Automatic Highway Driving for this demo truck with the technology called Highway Pilot Control.

While the driver needs to activate this system, there has to be a notification available on driver display and once ‘Highway Pilot Available’ pops up, he just has to click the ‘Set’ button on the steering wheel, although engine brake should remain off during the activation. To turn off the system, one just has to use the off button available on steering wheel or press the service brakes.

While activated, Highway Pilot will keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of it and makes the necessary adjustments to keep steering wheel in the centre. However, the driver has to be there looking forward all the time instead of taking a nap in the bunks or making a sandwich for himself. Even the company agrees to the importance of driver and says that this technology is not to remove drivers from their job, but to offer them some rest and comfort over long distance trips.

Also, initially it could be a little unsettling while a vehicle from behind the truck approaches, but the drivers will get used to in sometimes and get reliable with it. This system, if we talk about applications, could be very effective on windy days where the driver has to put a lot of extra effort while maneuvering the truck. He just simply need to turn the Highway Pilot on and take a back seat with all focus on how system is performing to avoid any mishaps.

Detailing the parts, this system has a stereo camera, radar sensors, braking system, powertrain ECU, mirror cameras and a steering gear box. Its front steering camera provides a 45-degree view upto a distance of 328 feet while the long & short range radar systems offer 18-degree 820 feet up the road & 130-degree 230 feet out of the truck view, respectively. Driver can also tune up the speed according to the needs and with that respect, fuel and brakes would be applied.

Well, this Freightliner Inspiration truck is surely a milestone for today’s trucking industry and an ideal example to mark the beginning of Autonomous Trucking era. However, Daimler thinks otherwise and has no plans to take this demo truck to production, but would surely be using it as a platform to develop more sustainable and economical autonomous trucks.