First-ever robot truck trialed on German motorway The first-ever robot truck has been trialed in real traffic conditions by German automaker Daimler, after obtaining a special license issued for the task. Equipped with the intelligent Highway Pilot system, the Mercedes-Benz Actros drove for 14 kilometers on Germanys A8 motorway, between Stuttgart airport and Denkendorf , without the help of a driver who was present in the cabin for safety measures, RT reported on Saturday. The new technology, unveiled in May, includes an autopilot system, radars, cameras, and active speed regulators to enable the truck to run on its own The multi-sensor fusion, i.e. the combination of proven new-generation assistance and safety systems and sensors, enables the truck with the Highway Pilot system to continually observe the entire area in front of the vehicle and to take control itself in certain situations, said Daimler in a press release. The system is fully capable of operating autonomously, but it is important to have a driver present in the cabin as he or she retains full responsibility, needs to monitor the traffic and must be able to intervene at any time. The company explained that during the test drive, the driver had the option to take control of the vehicle if found necessary. Watch video here.... http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/1...ck-test-drive-real-traffic-conditions-germany Reader comment: "What if the machines become independent and start a war against humanity? We should get Arnold ready ...." Haha... Arnold Schwerzenegger! Is he still alive?
The future of this capitalistic world is grim, because of automation. I believe it has the power to make things much better for everyone, but only if we make some big, structural changes to the way we order our lives.
How long would this system take to back a truck into a loading dock in a tight yard with other trucks or trailers presentÉ What if the cameras would get muddiedÉ I am assuming this prototype stays in its lane by following lane markers with its cameras. What if some of those markers eroded away or construction crews laid asphalt over themÉ I am assuming the safety of the system is only guaranteed by if anything goes wrong, any sensors go off line, the truck will pull over on a shoulder and switch off until repaired. Then itès a guarantee such trucks will spend more time on a shoulder than hauling. Most trucks on the road due to economics are beat up and have perhalps half of their sensors mulfunction. Those new trucks can be guaranteed for what, 20kÉ If weather conditions are adverse such as swow, skidding cannot be excluded, and its doubtful this system will pull out of a skid. So to guarantee safety, any time the weather forecast is bad, these trucks will be limited to something like 30 miles per hour on a highway. This will provoke a lot of road rage from other drivers. How many sensors will be required for city driving in trafficÉ
They wont entrust trains to fully automated systems, but think they can pull it off with highway truckingÉ No chance in a 1000 years, or the second coming of dinosaurs!
