MAN has achieved a significant milestone as the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to deploy an autonomous truck on German motorways. This groundbreaking test drive, covering approximately ten kilometers between the Allershausen and Fürholzen junctions on the A9, featured Federal Transport Minister Dr. Volker Wissing and MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp on board.
For some time now, MAN has been actively advancing the development of autonomous trucks, particularly for logistics hubs and hub-to-hub traffic on motorways. Recently, the company obtained the first Level 4 test permit for autonomous driving on German motorways, signaling a significant leap forward in this technological frontier.
The rising freight volumes, especially in hub-to-hub transport between logistics hubs like large online retailers’ warehouses, make autonomous trucks an ideal solution. These vehicles operate continuously, offering high efficiency in terms of fuel consumption and safety. Moreover, they seamlessly integrate into tightly synchronized logistics processes without the need for driving time breaks. Over time, the adoption of autonomous trucks can lead to a notable reduction in overall operating costs and help alleviate the ongoing shortage of truck drivers, which currently stands at up to 100,000 in Germany alone.
Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, Dr. Volker Wissing, praised Germany’s leading role in autonomous driving, highlighting the milestone as crucial for the country’s logistics sector. He emphasized the potential of autonomous trucks to address the challenges posed by increasing transport volumes and the shortage of drivers while also promoting more efficient and climate-friendly freight transport.
Alexander Vlaskamp, Chairman of the Executive Board of MAN Truck & Bus SE, underscored the company’s commitment to advancing autonomous commercial vehicles as a key aspect of their future strategy alongside the transition to CO2-free drives. He outlined plans for further tests with prototypes on motorways this year, with hub-to-hub projects slated to commence in 2025, leading toward series production of autonomous trucks by the end of the decade. Vlaskamp emphasized the importance of collaboration with infrastructure operators like Autobahn GmbH to realize the full potential of autonomous driving.
Dirk Brandenburger, Technical Managing Director of Autobahn GmbH des Bundes, highlighted the organization’s role in facilitating autonomous driving on German motorways. Autobahn GmbH not only approves autonomous driving on specific motorway sections but also promotes networking between motorway infrastructure and vehicles, essential for ensuring the safety and authorization of autonomous vehicles on the road.
MAN’s journey towards autonomous driving dates back several years, with various research and development projects aimed at advancing the technology. These initiatives include electronically coupled trucks tested in collaboration with DB Schenker, as well as projects focused on digital integration in logistics processes. MAN’s involvement in the ATLAS-L4 project, in partnership with Autobahn GmbH and other industry stakeholders, is specifically geared towards developing autonomous trucks for motorway transport between logistics hubs, in alignment with Germany’s autonomous driving regulations. With a wealth of development expertise and numerous patents filed in the field of autonomous driving, MAN is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of transportation.
