(9 Jan 2019) LEADIN:
In what's claimed to be a first of its kind in North America, Daimler Trucks is bringing an advanced autonomous driver assist system to its new Freightliner Cascadia.
The Level Two autonomous system, debuted at Las Vegas gadget show CES, accelerates, decelerates and steers independently.
STORYLINE:
In what's claimed to be the first time in North American series production truck, this new Freightliner Cascadia has been fitted with level two autonomy.
Its adaptive cruise control system automatically accelerates and decelerates to maintain a safe distance with the vehicle in front.
An active lane assist feature applies micro steering movements to the wheel to keep the truck centered in its detected lane.
If the truck begins to turn when the indicator has not been activated, the system will steer the truck back into its lane.
"We are talking about partial automation," explains Wilfried Achenbach from Daimler Trucks North America.
"So, you have a driver in the cab, and you will need a driver and he is relieved from his daily tasks.
"So, it's a huge step forward for a driver, it's a huge improvement in actually road safety because with a more relieved driver, he is alert when he needs to be alert and the system, those more boring daily tasks will be handled by the system."
To ensure drivers maintain their attention on the road while using the new feature, the system can sense when the driver's hands are not on the wheel.
After 60 seconds, an audio alarm sounds. A connected system will also notify managers, so they can keep tabs on drivers and ensure they're traveling safely.
"He needs to be in the seat, he needs to have the hands on the wheel and actually the fact of being relieved from the more boring tasks, outweighs clearly this distraction argument and what we have seen in our practical experience is that it adds to road safety, absolutely," says Achenbach.
Auto expert Stephanie Brinley from IHS Markit says it's good news for truck drivers.
"If you think about it the fatigue that you have in a long drive and you amplify that in a truck driver and driving a big huge Freightliner Cascadia, this can make it a little bit easier for them and can make them better, less tired and more aware," she says.
CES 2019, the world's largest tech conference, runs till Friday 11th January.
Over 180,00 visitors are expected to attend the huge annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas.
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