Daimler powers self-driving fleet

Global truck manufacturer Daimler Trucks has powered the latest venture into autonomous driving.

As part of a cross-border initiative from the Netherlands European Truck Platooning Challenge, three WiFi connected Mercedes-Benz Acrtros trucks drove an automated convoy from Stuttgart, Germany, to Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The convoy integrated the use of Highway Pilot Connect, the system developed to equip heavy trucks with autonomous driving functionality.

The technology allows three linked trucks to cruise along with 80 metres distance between them with a reaction time of 1.4 seconds and tranmission of braking signals of less than 0.1 seconds.

Engineers also believe that the challenge was able to reduce fuel and carbon emissions by up to 10 percent.

Daimler Trucks executive Dr Wolfgang Bernhard said that the company is looking to roll out the technology across its network.

“Driving in a convoy is one of numerous examples to raise the performance of goods transport extensively with connected trucks.

“Today already 365,000 commercial vehicles of Daimler are connected.

“We are consequently pushing this development.”

Check out Daimler's video on Highway Pilot Connect: