Why big-rig trucks, not cars, are best for self-driving tech

Chris Woodyard | USA TODAY

While the world has focused its attention on self-driving cars, the greater near-term potential when it comes to autonomous vehicles may turn out to be long-haul trucks.

When Daimler Trucks North America became the first to license a self-driving big rig this week in Nevada, it was pointing the way to a future that could quickly become embraced by the trucking industry for one simple reason: safety.

Driver fatigue is one of the big issues involving big rigs these days. After a long day behind the wheel, drowsy drivers can cause accidents. A self-driving system intended for highways, but also capable of stop-and-go, would always stay alert, Daimler officials say.

"Any injury caused by a truck on the highway is one too many," Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler's American unit, in an interview.

Company shows off new self-driving big rig Daimler Trucks North America this week unveiled its new autonomous big rig that allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road while the vehicle operates in a sort of autopilot mode. (May 6)

Four of the experimental Freightliner trucks -- Freightliner is a Daimler unit -- drove around Nevada for a total of 10,000 miles over six months, says Steve Nadig, the chief engineer on the project.

Long-haul trucks hold the biggest opportunity when it comes to self-driving technology because they log so many hours and miles on the road over a year, says Wolfgang Bernhard, a board member for Daimler's truck and bus unit. "The truck benefits even more than a car" from self-driving technology.

In the case of Daimler's truck, a driver was always behind the wheel, ready to take over. Daimler says the systems will require drivers in the cockpit to monitor for situations in which they need to step in,. But they don't have to stay glued to the controls, but rather may be able to read or tend to other duties while they are there.

Daum says it will probably be 10 or 15 years before drivers can actually get out from behind the wheel of a big rig while it drives itself.