We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Daimler to launch self-driving truck unit June 1
newsworthy

Daimler to launch self-driving truck unit June 1

May 29, 2019
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

Many transportation industry leaders say that self-driving trucks will not arrive on American highways for at least another decade, but that assessment is not preventing vehicle manufacturer Daimler Trucks from announcing that it will launch a global organization for automated driving on June 1 and focus on the U.S. market.

Daimler's Autonomous Technology Group is a new, global and cross-divisional organization that is backed by a $570 million investment and headed by Peter Vaughan Schmidt, who is currently head of strategy Daimler Trucks.

The group has been charged with setting the company's overall strategy and implementation of its automated driving roadmap, including research and development as well as setting up the required operations infrastructure and network, heading towards the series production of highly automated trucks, known in the industry as SAE level 4.

With the formation of the Autonomous Technology Group, we're taking automated driving to #TheNextLevel. This new global organization brings together Daimler's worldwide expertise to develop the operations infrastructure required to put SAE Level 4 trucks on roads within a decade.

— Daimler Trucks NA (@DaimlerTrucksNA) May 29, 2019

Autonomous vehicle technology has been advancing quickly in recent years, but most commercial applications are found in controlled environments such as warehouses or freight yards, marked by navigation beacons, wireless networks, and few pedestrians.

In contrast, operating on the open road carries a host of additional challenges. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation, sets standards for the interface between human drivers and autonomous vehicles. On a scale from zero (no automation) to five (full automation), vehicles operating at Level 4 autonomy are "capable of performing all driving functions under certain conditions," while the driver may still have the option to take control, the NHTSA says.

"With the Autonomous Technology Group, we are bringing together our global experts and their vast knowledge in automated trucking. In the first stage, we will focus on use cases of highly automated driving in defined areas and between defined hubs in the U.S.A.," Schmidt said in a release. "In doing so, we will work closely together with customers whose business matches this automated driving application. We will not only develop the respective technology but also set up the required operations infrastructure and network."

While the move may seem ambitious to industry observers, Daimler says that a more basic technology level, called Level 2 automated driving, is already in production. Daimler Trucks says it is the first manufacturer to put partially automated driving features into series production, featuring its Active Drive Assist (deployed in the Mercedes-Benz Actros and FUSO Super Great) and its Detroit Assurance 5.0 with Active Lane Assist (seen in the Freightliner Cascadia).

In past initiatives, Daimler Trucks North America LLC unveiled the country's first licensed autonomous commercial truck in 2015, demonstrating a self-steering 18-wheeler called the "Freightliner Inspiration Truck" and saying the technology could help reduce accidents, improve fuel consumption, cut highway congestion, and safeguard the environment.

"We are the pioneer for automated trucks. With the formation of our global Autonomous Technology Group, we are taking the next step, underscoring the importance of highly automated driving for Daimler Trucks, the industry and society as well," Martin Daum, member of the board of management of Daimler AG responsible for trucks and buses, said in a release. "With the new unit, we will maximize the effectiveness of our automated driving efforts and the impact of our investments in this key strategic technology. We will therefore be in the perfect position to put highly automated driving onto the roads, making transportation safer, saving lives and helping trucking companies boost their productivity."

Transportation Technology Trucking
KEYWORDS Daimler Trucks North America
  • Related Articles

    Self-driving truck startup runs freight routes in Texas

    Self-driving truck technology is outpacing legislation and regulation in many states, CSCMP panel says

    Logistics Matters podcast: The state of logistics; ports and the pandemic; Auburn University's self-driving vehicle track | Season 1 Episode 15

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

Artificial intelligence creates real encyclopedia

Freight sector missed the boat on strong U.S. economy in Q3 and Q4, FTR says

Sloppy thieves botch trailer heist

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Fred Smith is not worried about Amazon

  • Outlook 2023: What’s in store for logistics/supply chain?

  • Ports, maritime operators see tide turning as ocean freight tsunami subsides

  • In Person: Steve Beverly of Penske

  • InPerson interview: Rob McKeel of Fortna

Now Playing on DCV-TV

89cfed30 8aac 4284 960d c8c8c1886e16

Have you checked your read rate lately?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
No reads. Unaccounted for boxes. Boxes sent to the wrong place. A logistics nightmare! But this nightmare doesn’t have to come true. SICK’s linear line scan camera is what dreams are made of for your logistics operations. And if you’re worried about motion and vibration from conveyor belts...well, there’s no reason...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • Reusable Packaging for the New Wave of Supply Chain Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing