Step into the future of commercial vehicles.

In a globalized world, trucks are indispensable for transporting goods. But the industry is under pressure: in Germany alone, traffic jams cause billions in economic damage every year and around 90 percent of accidents on the roads are the result of human error. In addition, the shortage of drivers is slowing economic growth and could lead to supply bottlenecks in the future. Figures from the industry association BGL illustrate the seriousness of the situation: there is already a shortage of at least 60,000 professional drivers in Germany today - and this shortage is set to get worse. This is because there are around 17,000 new entrants to the profession, compared to around 30,000 professional drivers who retire every year.

60.000

professional drivers

are already lacking in Germany at least

30.000

professional drivers

retire every year, only 17,000 start a new job

Autonomous trucks offer solutions here. They improve traffic safety, can help to reduce traffic jams through predictive planning and optimize operating times. At the same time, autonomous trucks drive more smoothly, which makes them more fuel-efficient and therefore more environmentally friendly. Automated processes along the supply chain - for example in depots, at transshipment points or between logistics centers - take the strain off drivers and can help to make the job more attractive. A benefit for employees, society, companies and, last but not least, the environment.

 

With the ATLAS-L4 research and development project, the project participants are now taking a major step towards making autonomous commercial vehicles a reality in the near future: By the middle of the decade, they want to present a concept for the operation of automated trucks on the highway that can be transferred to industrialization. Each partner will contribute their individual expertise to the development of the driverless prototype truck. The project started in January 2022 and ends in June 2025.

The project ATLAS-L4

The overarching goal of the project is the realisation of fully automated truck driving in real motorway scenarios with mixed traffic. The focus is on the development of technologies for the vehicle function and their implementation on an L4-compatible vehicle architecture.

 

 

The basis for this is formed by L4 concepts for the Onboard Network, steering and redundant braking system. These tasks are flanked by the consideration of the framework conditions to be complied with, which result from the law on automated driving. This includes in particular the implementation of a control center with technical supervision. In addition, the possibilities of teleoperation are being investigated. Safety concepts are developed across the board, security risk analyses are carried out and, based on this, a safety argumentation with release process is created.