Daimler Truck Archives - North America FarmQuip Magazine

Daimler Truck Sets Industry Benchmark with Redundant Scalable Truck Platform for Autonomous Driving

Michele Catinari — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 18:00:57 +0000

Daimler Truck is developing a scalable autonomous truck platform that is perfectly suited for SAE Level 4 autonomous driving, including redundancy systems needed to achieve safe and reliable operations. The four key areas with a redundant architecture are the braking system, the steering system, the low voltage power net, and the network communications. In case that any of the primary systems encounter a fault, the Level 4 vehicle will be able to monitor, assess and deploy its backup systems to control the truck safely.

Daimler Truck’s L4 truck platform is based on Freightliner’s market-leading Cascadia and aims to set new industry standards. The unique redundant truck chassis is being developed for Waymo Via based on their specifications. A first version of the truck has already been delivered this year for integration of the Waymo Driver, the autonomous driving system. If a fault is deemed critical to the operation of the vehicle, the autonomous driving system will allow the truck to follow a safety protocol and be able to execute a “minimal risk maneuver” to come to a safe stop.

Dr. Peter Vaughan Schmidt, Head of Autonomous Technology Group at Daimler Truck:

“Every smart autonomous driving system needs a strong foundation: our Level 4 vehicle platform based on the Freightliner Cascadia is ideal for the integration of autonomous software, hardware, and computing. It can significantly contribute to enhancing safety in traffic thanks to its redundancy of systems and a multitude of sensors. It brings us much closer to our vision of accident-free driving.”

The redundant system architecture

More than 1500 new and unique requirements have been identified by Waymo Via. The engineering team at Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is developing and implementing these requirements during the vehicle development process. For example, while today’s pneumatic braking systems have to fail operational attributes, Daimler Truck’s Level 4 vehicles have an additional layer of electronic redundancy, using two electronic control units (ECU) – a primary and a secondary system. Together, they ensure full brake performance, to safely execute a minimal risk maneuver in case one system is not operating properly.

The same logic applies to the steering system that has been enhanced by having two servo motors. In case of an electronic or hydraulic failure, the backup servo motor also receives the requested steering angle from the autonomous driving system and can react accordingly.

Constant communication between these key systems ensures that there is no loss of critical information flow among the controllers. Daimler Truck has included a second communication network to key devices, which is also protected by cyber security requirements. As for the demanding power consumption by all the ECUs and sensors in an autonomous truck, a robust low voltage power net is required. Exclusively developed at DTNA, the power net system ensures constant energy flow to critical systems.

Scalable solution for Daimler Truck’s customers

In combination with third-party autonomous driving software, this redundant chassis offers customers full SAE Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. As part of Daimler Truck’s dual-track strategy, the truck manufacturer is working together with two strong autonomous technology partners, Waymo Via and Torc Robotics, offering multiple routes to commercialization. Daimler Truck has the capability to tailor and scale the Level 4 truck chassis to the autonomous driving specifications of both technology partners.

Daimler Truck is in a market-leading position as demand grows – best testing conditions in the U.S.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the U.S. has seen the tonnage of goods shipped by trucks increase by 56 percent in the past decade. This number is expected to nearly double in the next two and a half decades. At the same time, the trucking industry faces a shortage of drivers.

These developments contribute to a growing need for safe, reliable, cost-effective trucking solutions. DTNA’s role as the U.S. market leader and as the innovation leader for the industry provides a unique position to safely develop and test automated truck technologies. Based in Portland, the team of experienced engineers at DTNA is responsible for developing, building, and releasing the Level 4 vehicle platform with redundant systems in close collaboration with their partners. DTNA already reached a critical milestone towards series production and delivered a first version of the redundant Freightliner Cascadia built for L4 readiness to Waymo for integration of the Waymo Driver.

Autonomous Technology Group – a global technology powerhouse for automated driving

Following the investment announcement in automated driving at the beginning of 2019, Daimler Truck established the Autonomous Technology Group. Daimler Truck’s global organization for automated truck driving brings together its worldwide experience and expertise.

The Group takes responsibility for the overall strategy and implementation of the automated driving roadmap, including research and development, testing and validation, and setting up the required operations infrastructure and network with the ultimate vision of series production of autonomous trucks (SAE level 4) within the decade. The Group has a global reach with experts working in various locations throughout the company’s worldwide development network.

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Daimler Trucks Announces New Leadership for On-Highway Market Development

Michele Catinari — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:00:37 +0000

Daimler Trucks has named Steve Mignardi to the position of vice president, on-highway market development, effective immediately.

“We are pleased to have Steve in his new leadership position. His depth of experience in the industry and at DTNA is invaluable and we are looking forward to seeing what he will accomplish next,”

said Kary Schaefer, general manager, product strategy and market development, DTNA.

In his new role, Mignardi will coach and lead a team to strategically position and promote DTNA’s products in the on-highway market segment to meet sales, market, and profitability targets. Responsibilities include segment strategy, product marketing, brand strategy, marketing communications, and sales training for Freightliner, Western Star, as well as the Detroit on-highway segment.

Mignardi is a 30-year veteran of Daimler, having first joined in 1988, and has continually been at the forefront of innovation for the sales organization. During his tenure, he has held various roles within Freightliner, Mercedes-Benz Mexico, and DTNA.

In his various roles, he has provided industry-leading account management for the nation’s largest truck customers. Since 2008 he has served as the director of national accounts at DTNA where he spearheaded new truck sales, key account management, and customer experience strategies, as well as overseeing sales and strategic planning for DTNA’s direct and national fleets. Mignardi was also heavily involved in the management of DTNA’s Innovation Fleet of electric vehicles.

Mignardi is based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management.

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SelecTrucks Opens Seventh Texas Location in Texarkana

Michele Catinari — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:00:38 +0000

North America‘s premier used truck retailer network, SelecTrucks announced today the opening of its newest location in Texas. SelecTrucks of Texarkana is conveniently located on the border of Texas and Arkansas.

As a member of the Lonestar Truck Group and TAG Truck Center (TNTX) family of dealerships, SelecTrucks of Texarkana is committed to providing customers with unwavering support before, during, and after the sale. Like all SelecTrucks locations, the Texarkana addition, along with its experienced sales staff, offers on-site finance-leasing, and best-in-class truck warranty options and coverages. Used inventory goes through an extensive inspection, service, and make-ready to ensure each unit is brought to the very best condition for customers.

“We have a great and long-standing relationship with Daimler Trucks Remarketing, and we are committed to taking it to the next level with the opening of SelecTrucks of Texarkana approximately a year after the successful opening of our SelecTrucks of Memphis location,”

said Jay Simmons, dealer partner, TNTX.

“Our entire SelecTrucks team has a passion for helping customers make important decisions for their business when purchasing a truck. The new Texarkana location and our partnership with TNTX will only further enhance our dedication and support for our valued customers,”

said Mary Aufdemberg, president and general manager of Daimler Trucks Remarketing.

SelecTrucks of Texarkana is a proud member of the Used Truck Association (UTA) and offers all makes of used trucks. The new location for SelecTrucks of Texarkana is 1902 St. Michael Drive, Texarkana, Texas.

SelecTrucks of Texarkana is one of 35 locations in the quickly growing nationwide network of SelecTrucks centers.

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