Mercedes Making a Self-Driving Tractor Trailer could Change the Future of Shipping

     Mercedes has recently unveiled images of a new self-driving semi which they believe will change the future of shipping as we know it. From looking at it, you may think that this truck is just fancy with all of it's LED lights instead of headlights and cameras instead of mirrors, but this is the design that makes this truck self-driving. These are minor cosmetic changes as the true amazement is "Future Truck 2025" drives itself. Although these images are just of the prototype Mercedes is intent on perfecting and getting this truck ready for commercial use in the next 10 years.
     We have all seen the self-driving cars and trucks that are in development but this is the first of tractor trailers we are seeing. Many might think that a vehicle with such weight and importance should not be allowed to be automated because of the risks involved. However, in 2012, according to NHTSA 333,000 large trucks were in accidents in the U.S. alone. Of these accidents nearly 4,000 people have been killed the majority riding in passenger vehicles. In addition there has been difficulty implementing regulations to ensure that truckers get enough rest during their travels. What is going to solve this problem? Seems like Mercedes might have an answer.

The future truck complete with the "Highway Pilot" automated system. Dr.Wolfgang Bernhard, the Daimler board member for trucks and buses states: "It never gets tired. It's always 100% and sharp. It's never angry; it's never distracted. So this is a much safer system."
Of course this automated system will truly only shine on long stretches of road where speeds are steady, with no pedestrians and minimal turning is necessary. Their are enough sensors fitted all over the truck to cover the surroundings at all time so local driving and navigating cities is possible just not as easily performed.


     The new idea of vehicle-to-vehicle communication will truly help make this automated driving much simple by being able to collect data from cars around the truck, but it will be a long time until this type of communication is on most vehicles on the road, so even without this communication the truck uses its many cameras to keep an eye on every inch of the road around it.

     With technology like this emerging in the technology industry it is only a matter of time before our cars and trucks will be communicating with each other and making decisions on the road for us getting us from point A to point B.
     "The challenge now," Bernhard states, "is to leverage this momentum and to continue our open dialogue with all parties involved, so that in ten years' time the autonomously driving truck will indeed have become an accepted feature on our roads."



Sources: Wired