Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced a partially automated assistance system in the series production of the Actros model. The Active Drive Assist system can brake, accelerate and steer independently. Unlike systems that only work at certain speeds, Active Drive Assist offers the driver partially automated driving in all speed ranges for the first time in a series-produced truck. New elements are the active latitudinal control and the combination of longitudinal and lateral control in all speed ranges through the fusion of radar and camera information.
Active Drive Assist builds upon the tried-and-tested adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function and the lane-keeping assistant from Mercedes-Benz. While responsibility for monitoring the traffic situation remains with the driver, the system provides support to increase road safety.
The new generation of emergency brake assist system, the Active Brake Assist 5, supports the driver when there is a danger of a rear-end collision or a collision with people crossing, oncoming or walking in the truck’s lane, and also automatically applies full braking if necessary. The Active Brake Assist 5 works with a combination of radar and a camera system. This allows it to monitor the space ahead of the vehicle even better and to react to persons in the road even better.
The new Actros differs from its predecessor visually: its main mirrors and wide-angle mirrors have been replaced by mirror-cams as standard equipment. The mirror-cam has been improved in terms of aerodynamics, safety and vehicle handling. The system offers all-round visibility and consists of two cameras mounted on the outside of the vehicle and two 15-inch displays on the A-pillars inside the driver’s cab.
Stefan Buchner, head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said: “Four years after the presentation of the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 driving in automated mode, we are launching the new Actros with the world’s first partially automated assistance system in a series-produced truck, thus further extending our leading role for automated driving. When fitted with Active Drive Assist, our new Actros makes the logistics business significantly safer for all road users and more efficient for our customers.”
