First Autonomous Big Rig Licensed to Drive

Nevada has licensed the first autonomous commercial truck to operate on an open public highway in the US.

Developed by engineers at Daimler Trucks North America, the Freightliner Inspiration Truck will help the trucking industry reduce accidents, improve fuel consumption, cut highway congestion, and safeguard the environment, the automaker says.

The Freightliner Inspiration Truck underwent extensive testing before the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles granted it a license to operate on public roads in the state. The truck is equipped with the Highway Pilot sensors and computer hardware is based upon a series production Freightliner Cascadia Evolution, certified to meet all US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

The Highway Pilot links together a set of camera technology and radar systems with lane stability, collision avoidance, speed control, braking, steering and other monitoring systems.

Late last month Peloton Technology, a developer of automated truck driving technology that the company says delivers advanced safety, fuel savings and analytics to trucking fleets, has closed a $16 million Series A investment round led by Denso International America, an automotive supplier of advanced technology, and Intel Capital, the global investment arm of the technology giant.