Daimler Trucks has previously tested truck platooning in Europe and the US and has now extended testing to its Asian brand FUSO. Testing will continue up until February 1st on Shin-Tomei Expressway and on Kita-Kano Expressway, north of Tokyo. During testing, a heavy-duty FUSO Super Great truck will be electronically connected, operating semi-autonomous in a platoon with other Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturers’ trucks.
Testing was initiated by the Japanese ministry of economy, trade and industry and the ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism as part of the Japanese government’s Future Strategy 2017. They hope that truck platooning will remedy Japan’s driver shortage as well as contributing to the reduction of fuel consumption and to lower CO2-emissions in the commercial vehicle sector.
“Two years ago, we demonstrated with Mercedes-Benz trucks in Europe that platooning can be done and is highly advantageous,” says Martin Daum, member of the board of management of Daimler AG, responsible for trucks and buses. “Right now, we keep developing the technology with Freightliner on public roads in the US. Japan is a key market for us that is on the lookout and promotes new technologies. We take part in the Japanese government’s initiative to push platooning further ahead in Asia and to remain in the lead in the development of this technology, “he adds.
