First Autonomous Series-Production Truck on Public Roads

Published on Oct 2, 2015

The truck used for the premiere is a standard Mercedes-Benz Actros equipped with the intelligent Highway Pilot system for this test of autonomous driving on public roads. The truck is registered as a test vehicle according to Sec. 19/6 of the German Road Traffic Licencing Regulations (StVZO). The test organisation TUV Rhineland previously inspected the vehicle and issued an expert report. On this basis the Baden-Wurttemberg state government granted exceptional permission according to Sec. 70 StVZO.

Taking the Mercedes-Benz Actros with the Highway Pilot onto the road required special permission from the state government of Baden-Wurttemberg. With this permission, the truck is now able to drive semi-autonomously on motorways at speeds of up to 80 km/h nationwide.

Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, Board Member of Daimler AG responsible for Trucks and Buses, is undertaking the maiden journey in the Mercedes-Benz Actros with Highway Pilot system.