The Freightliner Inspiration Truck is the first to receive Autonomous Vehicle Licensing in the USA.
The first license for an autonomous commercial truck to operate on an open public highway in the United States has been handed to Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), during a ceremony in Nevada. Much work was carried out by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to monitor the advancements made in autonomous vehicle development, and has reviewed DTNA's safety, testing and training plans before granting permission.
The autonomous vehicle technology is predicted to reduce accidents, improve fuel consumption, reduce highway congestion, and safeguard the environment. Nevada was selected as the demonstration location because it is one of four states, plus the District of Columbia, with laws regulating autonomous vehicle operation. The legislation includes commercial trucks and sets standards specifying the number of miles an autonomous vehicle must have been tested in certain conditions before it can be granted a license to be driven in Nevada.
The Freightliner Inspiration Truck is equipped with Highway Pilot sensors, and computer hardware is based upon a series production Freightliner Cascadia Evolution, fully certified to meet all U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The Highway Pilot links together a sophisticated set of camera technology and radar systems with lane stability, collision avoidance, speed control, braking, steering and other monitoring systems. This combination creates a Level 3 autonomous vehicle operating system that can perform safely under a range of highway driving conditions. In total, two trucks with this equipment exist. The Freightliner Inspiration Truck is not a driverless truck, as the driver is a key part of a collaborative vehicle system. Drivers can optimize their time on the road while also handling other important logistical tasks, from scheduling to routing. The autonomous vehicle technology not only contributes to improved safety and efficiency, but allows for improved communication through connectivity and integration. The driver is able to take control of all safety-critical functions under certain traffic or environmental conditions. The autonomous vehicle system is responsible for maintaining legal speed, staying in the selected lane, keeping a safe braking distance from other vehicles, and slowing or stopping the vehicle based on traffic and road conditions. The vehicle monitors changes in conditions that require transition back to driver control when necessary in highway settings. The driver is in control of the vehicle for exiting the highway, on local roads and in docking for making deliveries. Source: www.freightlinerinspiration.com