Three connected and autonomous Mercedes Actros trucks started a cross-border journey from Germany to the Netherlands as a participation in the European Truck Platooning Challenge.
The challenge was initiated by the Dutch government and addresses the benefits of truck platooning and the necessity of a harmonized crossborder regulation for more efficient road transport.
The three trucks are connected via WiFi via Daimler’s Highway Pilot Connect that enables them to “dock” with each other electronically on motorways. This allows a distance of only 15 meters between them, reducing significantly the aerodynamic drag and leading to fuel savings and a CO2 emissions reduction of up to ten per cent.
In case of an emergency, the Highway Pilot Connected system has a reaction of less than 0.1 seconds to transmit braking signals when a human behind the wheel needs 1.4 seconds.
“We consider platooning as meaningful part of the integrated approach in which all stakeholders in road transport contribute to reduce fuel consumption and CO2,” said Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard. “Driving in a convoy is one of numerous examples to raise the performance of goods transport extensively with connected trucks.”
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