Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner parent company Daimler will begin using self-driving trucks on American roads as it trials so-called “platooning” technology. Now, however, the trials will begin moving onto public highways, with permission from the Oregon Department of Transportation already in hand. Scientific research into platooning began nearly a decade ago, with heavy European Union funding behind the now completed SARTRE program. While the new Oregon tests will begin with two Freightliner trucks to test communication between the two vehicles, platooning is at its most effective when it includes a large group of vehicles. The theory is that in a pack of trucks following very closely together at highway speeds — typically less than two feet, bumper to bumper — the lead truck pushes the air out of the way, and the others can follow with much less wind resistance.

In the Daimler tests, the 'platoon' system is connected to the trucks' various electronic driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking The test will allow large digitally-connected trucks to save fuel by driving closely together. In truck platooning, connectivity and automated driving improve safety within the vehicle convoys, support drivers and enhance efficiency with closer distances between the connected trucks, the company said. In the Daimler tests, V2V is connected to the trucks' various electronic driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking. In truck platooning, connectivity and automated driving improve safety within the vehicle convoys, support drivers and enhance efficiency with closer distances between the connected trucks, the company said. Daimler AG's trucks will save fuel by driving closely together, with one vehicle following the other Fleet operators will not get the full pay back for investments in the technology until regulations allow one driver to pilot a truck while drivers in the trucks behind sleep, and that is 'a long way out,' Daum said.

Daimler Trucks North America says it now has permission from the Oregon Department of Transportation to test its platooning technology on public roads after successful trials in Madras, Oregon. Truck platooning is the practice of grouping trucks smart technology and state-of-the-art driving systems on highways that can communicate with each other. The company says they’re responding to increased customer interest in solutions for automated and connected driving in commercial transport. To digitally connect the trucks, Daimler combines connectivity technology with automated driving technology. The technology creates fuel savings, lowers the aerodynamic drag and increases safety on braking distances when two or more trucks are closely following each other.

Daimler plans to test a concept called “platooning,” in which computer-controlled trucks drive close together to save fuel, on U.S. Daimler says it has already tested the concept at its Madras, Oregon, proving ground, and has received permission from the Oregon Department of Transportation to take the tests onto public roads. The company also hopes to test the trucks on select public roads in Nevada. In the Daimler tests, V2V is connected to the trucks’ various electronic driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking. Daimler claims the digital systems’ reaction times are about 0.2 to 0.3 seconds, while human drivers normally respond no quicker than one second.

Road trains of driverless trucks may soon be charging along Australia's highways as new technology offers the potential for improved safety and enhanced fuel efficiency. The company said that the technology would be able to keep trucks and cargo moving without having to stop for mandated rest breaks, unleashing a "huge efficiency potential". Essentially, one driver could control an entire line of trucks -- as reported by Japanese stock market index Nikkei's Asian Review, these trucks sit just a few metres apart, travel at a constant speed and present a streamlined profile that can mean fuel savings of up to 15 percent. Australia is no stranger to driverless vehicles -- in 2015 two mining sites in the Pilbara became the first in the world to move all of their iron ore using fully remote-controlled trucks. Being able to keep trucks and cargo moving without having to stop for mandated rest breaks "would unleash a huge efficiency potential," Daum said.

will supply full aftertreatment systems for new Detroit DD5 and DD8 medium-duty engines, the company announced at the North American Commercial Vehicle truck show in Atlanta. Tenneco will supply the full aftertreatment system, which includes the selective catalytic reduction system featuring the company's proprietary mixing technology, as well as muffler and pipes. The system will be available in multiple understep, side-by-side and horizontal variations designed to accommodate the Daimler Trucks product portfolio, which includes Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses, Setra, Freightliner, Freightliner Custom Chassis, BharatBenz, FUSO, and Thomas Built Buses. The four and six cylinder engines were developed to meet and exceed the rigorous demands of different global markets while complying with current and future emissions regulations. The aftertreatment system was designed and engineered at Tenneco's technical center in Edenkoben, Germany, and will be manufactured and assembled at the company's Clean Air facility in Seward, Nebraska.

Daimler’s announcement, and promises on Monday by rivals Navistar International Corp and Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) to field a medium duty electric truck by 2019, highlight a race among global commercial truck makers to deploy new technology both to anticipate regulatory mandates and influence policy debates. medium and heavy truck market is emerging from a slump. The sales recovery is lifting share prices of companies in the commercial truck sector. But in a reflection of the digital fever that is gripping the consumer auto business, truck makers are using the trade show to highlight products that are a tiny part of today’s business, or not yet for sale. Daimler’s North American truck unit said on Monday it received permission from the Oregon Department of Transportation to test its platooning technology on public roads after successful trials in its proving ground in Madras, Oregon.