TRUCKING FEATURE
Self-driving trucks now a step closer to hitting the highway
The semi-trailer truck had a level 3 autonomous driving system, enabling it to steer, accelerate or decelerate, and manoeuvre through traffic
The prospect of self-delivering loads took a step into the future when Hyundai Motor Company’s Xcient truck recently completed a 40km autonomously navigated highway journey, the first to take place in South Korea.The semi-trailer truck, which has a maximum load capacity of 40 tons, was semi-equipped with a level 3 autonomous driving system, enabling it to steer, accelerate or decelerate, and manoeuvre through traffic without human input."This successful demonstration proves innovative autonomous driving technology can be used to transform the trade logistics industry," said Maik Ziegler, director of Commercial Vehicle R&D Strategy Group at Hyundai Motor Company."At this stage, a human driver is still used to control the vehicle manually in certain situations, but I think we will achieve level 4 automation soon as we are constantly upgrading our technological capability."Level 3 as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers means a vehicle can make complex decisions but requires ...
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