Daimler-owned Freightliner is the first in the world with the technology. – Aftonbladet

The US has already self-propelled trucks.

Daimler-owned Freightliner is the first in the world with the technology.

But still required a driver behind ‘ the wheel ‘- for a while anyway.

This week has two self-propelled vehicles first registered in the state of Nevada in the United States. With the system Highway Pilot will Freightliner Inspiration truck burning up and down the state’s highways all by itself. Almost, anyway.

The truck has a radar unit facing forward as well scans the area up to 250 meters at 18 degree angle in front of the cab, and one that extends 70 meters ahead but in 130-degree angle. A stereo camera also keeps track of road markings and road signs up to 100 meters ahead.

Requires drivers

Highway Pilot under Daimler already been tested during 1600 mil at the Group’s test track in Germany. And soon learns the technique find down even in the Group’s Mercedes lorries and thus also in Europe.

So far the system works only on motorways and requires a driver to be ready to step in when overtaking or whether to take an exit.

Employs 86,000 people in Sweden

In 2012, there was 70 per cent of all freight in the United States by truck, which was carrying around 9.4 billion tons of cargo in the country. Sounds a lot? According to Daimler calculated road freight transport to triple from today’s levels by 2050. And even though the Freightliner Inspiration truck today requires a driver in the cab shall it not be long before the truck can handle even overtaking – at least as long as you stay on the highway.

The haulage industry in Sweden employs approximately 86,000 people and in 2010 transported together 320 million tons of cargo a total of 2.086 billion kilometers, with both Swedish and foreign trucks, under Traffic Analysis.