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May 05th, 2015
23:00 o´clock CET Germany
02:00 p.m. PDT Las Vegas
World premiere on US highway:
Daimler Trucks drives first autonomous truck
on public roads
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Freightliner Inspiration Truck with Highway Pilot becomes world´s
first autonomous truck to be granted a license for road use in the
State of Nevada
Brian Sandoval, Governor of Nevada, and Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard,
member of the Daimler AG board responsible for Trucks and Buses,
take first autonomous drive on a US highway near Las Vegas
Initial research findings of Daimler Trucks show
autonomous driving relieves the strain of truck drivers
Dr. Bernhard: “The license for road use in the USA marks an
important milestone in the story of the autonomous truck.”
Martin Daum, President and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America:
“After successfully introducing our Super Truck study, we again
underline our technology leadership by presenting the Freightliner
Inspiration Truck, which demonstrates how our society, environment and economy can benefit from autonomous driving trucks.”
Stuttgart / Las Vegas, Nevada – Today Daimler Trucks became the world´s
first manufacturer to be granted a road license for an autonomous heavyduty truck. The first journey in the so-called Freightliner Inspiration Truck,
which took place on US highway 15 in Las Vegas, was made by Brian
Sandoval, Governor of Nevada, and Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard. The truck is
equipped with the intelligent Highway Pilot system for autonomous driving.
The state of Nevada licensed two Freightliner Inspiration Trucks for regular
operation on public roads. Daimler Trucks is the global leading truck
manufacturer and, with the Freightliner brand, also the biggest producer
in the U.S.
Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart, Germany
Press-Information
May 05th, 2015
“Our Freightliner Inspiration Truck is the world´s first autonomous
commercial vehicle to be licensed for road use. Our achievement here
underlines yet again our role as a technological pioneer and demonstrates
our consistent dedication to develop the technology for autonomous longdistance driving to series production standard. I am proud of this extraordinary achievement by the Daimler Trucks team,” stated Dr. Wolfgang
Bernhard, Daimler AG board member responsible for Trucks and Buses.
Highway Pilot system to be developed to series production standard
Transport in the future must be even safer, more efficient and more
networked – this is the aspiration that Daimler Trucks has expressed in the
new Freightliner Inspiration Truck. In July of last year, Daimler Trucks
provided the world´s first demonstration of an autonomous truck in action
when the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 drove along a cordoned-off
section of the A14 autobahn near Magdeburg. Now, the first appearance of
the Inspiration Truck on a public road in the U.S. marks the logical next step
on the journey to series production. In the last few months the technology
has been tested over many thousands of kilometers and configured for use
in U.S. highway traffic.
“We are in a unique position among manufacturers that we are able to
implement technologies across all business units and brands. We have
transferred our Highway Pilot system to our U.S. Freightliner brand within a
very short time frame and developed it for the world´s first autonomous
truck to be licensed for road use,” reports Dr. Bernhard.
Spectacular world premiere near Las Vegas
The world premiere of the Freightliner Inspiration Truck took place near
Las Vegas, in front of representatives of the media, government as well as
business and finance. Trucks are by far the most important means of
transport in the U.S. In 2012, trucks transported around 70 percent of
all freight tonnage in the United States. This way, a total of 9.4 billion tons
of freight were moved by trucks. Globally, the road freight transport is
expected to even triple between now and 2050. Autonomous trucks provide
the opportunity to cope with this growth in a manner that harmonizes
economic and environmental needs.
Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart, Germany
Page 2
“Nevada is proud to be making transportation history today by hosting the
first U.S. public highway drive for a licensed autonomous commercial truck.
The application of this innovative technology to one of America’s most
important industries will have a lasting impact on our state and help shape
the New Nevada economy,” said Gov. Sandoval. “The Nevada Department
of Motor Vehicles has been closely monitoring the advancements being
made in autonomous vehicle development and reviewed DTNA’s safety,
testing and training plans before granting permission for this demonstration
of the Freightliner Inspiration Truck.”
Freightliner Inspiration Truck: Revolutionary technology
will be tested on public roads
The Freightliner Inspiration Truck is based on the series-produced US
Freightliner Cascadia Evolution model, but with the addition of the Highway
Pilot technology. The latter comprises a front radar and a stereo camera
plus tried-and-tested assistance systems such as the Adaptive Cruise
Control+, as seen in the Mercedes-Benz Actros. For licensing on public
roads in Nevada, the technology was further developed and the excellent
interaction of components extensively tested. As part of the truck´s socalled Marathon Run, the Freightliner Inspiration Truck covered over
10,000 miles (over 16,000 kilometers) on a test circuit in Germany.
“The Freightliner Inspiration Truck is all about more sustainable
transport, for the benefit of the economy, society and consumers alike.
It remains our goal to be in a position to offer the Highway Pilot in seriesproduced vehicles from the middle of the coming decade. With licensing
for road use in the USA we have reached an important milestone in
autonomous truck driving,” emphasizes Martin Daum, President and
CEO of Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA).
“Daimler Trucks is actively urging dialogue with politicians, authorities
and all other parties involved. Our next goal is to test the Highway Pilot
technology on public roads in Germany too. Preparations are already under
way”, Dr. Bernhard adds.
Initial research findings of Daimler Trucks clearly show
autonomous driving relieves the strain of truck drivers
The Highway Pilot technology from Daimler Trucks demonstrably leads
to more concentrated and thus more efficient long-haul truck drivers. This is
a result of studies conducted on a cordoned-off test route during the pilot
stage of the technology. Measurements of the probands´ brain currents
(EEG) demonstrated that driver drowsiness decreases by about 25% when
the truck is being operated in autonomous mode, and the driver all the
Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart, Germany
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while pursuing other meaningful operations. The studies also prove a high
acceptance of the Highway Pilot technology and a rapid adaption phase of
the probands. Relieving strains of the driver through autonomous truck
driving leads to more road safety.
Consistent continuation of Freightliner Trucks technology strategy
With Daimler Trucks North America and the brands Freightliner, Western
Star and Thomas Built Buses, the company is the clear market leader in the
U.S. Its success can largely be attributed to the technological advantages
of Daimler Trucks, which ensure optimum operating costs, reliability and
service offerings for customers. Daimler Trucks focuses both globally and
in North America on the strategically vital aspects of efficiency, safety and
connectivity.
For example, the long-distance Freightliner Cascadia Evolution truck
is the most fuel efficient truck on the NAFTA market. The Cascadia
Evolution can be fitted with the integrated Detroit powertain, including
the automated DT12 transmission. When compared with its EPA 2010
Cascadia predecessor, the Cascadia Evolution is up to seven percent
more fuel efficient. The Cascadia Evolution is equipped as standard with
the Detroit Connect telematics system. Detroit Connect includes an onboard diagnosis system and a fleet monitoring system. The Detroit
Connect can determine the cause behind fault messages during the
journey. For example, a real time report on the technical status of the
engine is transmitted to the Detroit Customer Service Center where the
data is analyzed and recommended corrective measures are then emailed
to the driver. Detroit Connect can significantly reduce repair costs and
increase operating times by up to six percent.
Martin Daum: “We are concentrating on our strengths when it comes to
efficiency, safety and connectivity, and thereby sustainably securing our
technological leadership. So we remain best-in-class when it comes to
lowering real cost of ownership and are highly valued by our customers.”
Daum adds: “With our innovative Super Truck, we have recently presented
an important component of our strategy to make future road transportation
as environmentally friendly and fuel efficient as possible. With the
Freightliner Inspiration Truck we now demonstrate how our society,
environment and economy can benefit from autonomous driving trucks.”
Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart, Germany
Page 4
The Freightliner SuperTruck made its debut at the end of March at
the Mid-America Trucking Show, the biggest commercial vehicle show
in the U.S. In addition to the existing series-production vehicles the
SuperTruck from Freightliner shows how targeted measures in
aerodynamics, energy management, the use of an intelligent
powertrain and other levers can further reduce fuel consumption.
For example, the SuperTruck is equipped with the DT12 automated
transmission and predictive technology that controls the vehicle speed
using GPS and digital 3D maps. In test drives, the SuperTruck at a weight
of 29.5 metric tons (65,000 lbs GVWR) consumed an average of about
19 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (12.2 mpg) at a speed of around
100 km/h (65 mph). In this weight category regular consumption to
date has been around the 39 liter mark.
The Freightliner Inspiration Truck represents the third demonstration of
the consistent way in which the Freightliner Trucks technology strategy has
developed in the USA. As a global commercial vehicle manufacturer Daimler
is demonstrating how intelligent technologies can be rolled out across
Group brands within the shortest time frame. Daimler Trucks´ worldwide
platform strategy in particular allows economies of scale to be made.
Despite the common technologies, the Freightliner Inspiration Truck,
the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck and both brands´ standard vehicles
are independent vehicle concepts which are adapted to the appropriate
market and set of demands.
Successful start to the year with increase in sales in NAFTA
In the first quarter of 2015 the demand for trucks in the NAFTA region
rose again as a result of a sustained period of strong economic activity.
With 40,800 vehicles sold, Daimler Trucks sales figures are, significantly,
18 percent up on the previous year´s quarter (compared to 34,600 units).
This meant that Daimler Trucks was able to increase its market share by
1.2 percentage points to 41.4 percent, securing its place as market leader
in the 6-8 weight categories once more. A significant driving factor behind
the successful sales figures was the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution.
Overall for 2015, Daimler Trucks is expecting market growth in the order
of 10 to 15 percent in the NAFTA region. New products such as the Western
Star 5700XE and the top-selling Freightliner Cascadia Evolution should help
to further reinforce the company´s market dominance.
Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart, Germany
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About Daimler Trucks North America
Daimler Trucks North America LLC, with headquarters in Portland, Oregon,
is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. DTNA
produces and markets vehicles of the Freightliner, Western Star, and
Thomas Built Buses brands. The DTNA production network encompasses
nine locations. In addition to the headquarters and manufacturing plant in
Portland (Oregon), DTNA has four manufacturing plants in North Carolina
(Cleveland, Gastonia, High Point, and Mount Holly) and one manufacturing
plant each in Redford (Michigan) and Gaffney (South Carolina). DTNA has
two additional manufacturing facilities in Mexico (Saltillo and Santiago
Tianguistenco).
Contact:
Florian Martens, +49 160 8687552, [email protected]
Susanne Lenz, +49 160 8625760, [email protected]
Max Splittgerber, +49 160 8607124, [email protected]
Simonette Illi, +49 176 30905986, [email protected]
Details about the Freightliner Inspiration Truck can be found online at:
www.freightlinerinspiration.com
Images of the world premiere are soon available for download:
http://daimler-cv-pressmaterial.de/dir/Freightliner_Inspiration_Truck_USA_2015/
Further information from Daimler is available at:
www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com
Daimler at a Glance
Daimler AG is one of the world’s most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars,
Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of
the biggest producers of premium cars and the world’s biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global
reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance, financial investments,
credit cards, and innovative mobility services. The company’s founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made
history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler
continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group’s focus is on innovative and green technologies as well
as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal and fascinate. Daimler consequently invests in the development
of alternative drive trains with the long-term goal of emission-free driving: from hybrid vehicles to electric vehicles
powered by battery or fuel cell. Furthermore, the company follows a consistent path towards accident-free driving
and intelligent connectivity all the way to autonomous driving. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly
accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles
and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and South
America, Asia, and Africa.Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world’s most valuable premium
automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well as Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach, the brands smart,
Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses, and Daimler Financial Services’
brands: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial, Daimler Truck Financial, moovel and car2go. The
company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2014, the
Group sold more than 2.5 million vehicles and employed a workforce of 279,972 people; revenue totaled €129.9
billion and EBIT amounted to €10.8 billion.
Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart, Germany
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