Mercedes-Benz Rolls Out Self-Driving Big Rig
Mercedes-Benz has just revealed an autonomous truck that the company vows will be on the road by 2025.
Called the Future Truck 2025, Mercedes-Benz says that this big rig can pilot itself at speeds of up to 52 mph thanks to Highway Pilot assistance system. The truck will use a combination of proximity cruise control, automatic braking, stability control and lane-keeping assistance systems to drive itself down the road.
Vehicle to vehicle communication systems are also on the docket for this truck, allowing it to communicate with other vehicles on the road. This will allow self-driving vehicles to say closer to each other, and optimize braking and acceleration to eliminate traffic.
This move will also change the trucking industry permanently. It will allow truck ‘drivers’ to take over much of the work that was once done in an office, and it will shorten up trips and allow more accurate scheduling.
Mercedes has already tested the truck successfully at highway speeds on the A14 autobahn near the city of Magdeburg.
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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