MAN Trucks United Kingdom
MAN brings the safe and efficient future of the transport industry to the road: We develop innovative solutions - from assisted driving and networked truck convoys through to autonomous trucks.

Automated driving

MAN is working on the customer solutions of tomorrow: From networked truck platoons to automated safety vehicles for construction sites and self-driving trucks: MAN is intensively researching systems that allow you to drive even more efficiently and safely in future.

Innovative automation concepts from MAN

Future transport is intelligent, networked and automated: Innovative truck concepts set completely new standards regarding safety and efficiency in freight transport. The road to autonomously driving trucks is paved by our pilot projects, as for example the test run of the MAN platooning technology

and the driverless MAN safety vehicle. Both concepts use the latest technologies for networking and automatic vehicle control to further mitigate the risk of accidents and increase cost effectiveness in road traffic.

Automated driving in networked truck platoons reduces CO2 emissions and increases traffic safety.

Platooning at MAN

Automated driving in networked truck convoys saves fuel and increases traffic safety.

Driverless safety vehicles significantly reduce the risks to the crews of mobile motorway roadworks.

Driverless safety vehicle

A driverless MAN truck safeguards mobile roadworks on motorways from oncoming traffic.

Autonomous trucks in road transport: “Hamburg TruckPilot” practical test

“Hamburg TruckPilot” practical test

MAN and logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) test automated and autonomously driven trucks in real-life applications.

The innovative platooning technology networks two or more trucks to form a convoy. This helps to reduce CO2 emissions and increases traffic safety.

Platooning at MAN

Improved safety and fuel efficiency

Safe slipstream driving for networked trucks

Together with partners from industry and research, MAN is driving forward the further development and practical use of the innovative platooning technology.

What is platooning?

Truck platooning consists of two or more vehicles safely and closely following each other. Driving in a networked truck convoy (platoon) helps to reduce CO2 emissions and increases traffic safety.

Truck platooning consists of two or more vehicles safely and closely following each other as part of a networked convoy (platoon).

Improved safety and fuel efficiency

Electronically linked truck convoys offer new opportunities for more economical and efficient road transportation: Slipstream driving can reduce the fuel consumption of the entire platoon by up to ten percent. CO2 emissions are equally reduced.

Linking the vehicles via an electronic towing bar can also increase traffic safety for freight road transport. This is due to the fact that the control systems of the trailing vehicles can reliably react to the manoeuvres of the lead vehicle, and do so much quicker than any human could. The traffic infrastructure is also used much more efficiently as the trucks are driving at a distance of only about 10 meters from each other.

MAN is leading the way

To make the platooning concept reality, MAN has combined its expertise in current on-board assistance and control systems with innovative car-to-car communication. Our test vehicles have already covered thousands of kilometres as a platoon.

Today, our networked trucks are undertaking regular test drives in actual operation with professional drivers from DB Schenker. At the same time, we are contributing to researching and preparing the legal and organisational requirements in Germany and Europe for everyday use of networked truck convoys in road traffic. From a technical standpoint, it is conceivable that the platooning concept could be implemented in Europe by 2020.

Technology - How platooning works

Platooning is a technical system that turns multiple vehicles into a convoy of trucks. It is based on current technical driver assistance and control systems as well as car-to-car communication. Using a secure radio connection, control commands are sent to the trailing vehicles and data from these vehicles is respectively sent back to the lead vehicle.

For motorway journeys that exceed approx. 60 km/h, the platooning system initiates car-to-car communication between the convoy. The vehicles are automatically combined into a platoon. The distance between the linked semitrailer combinations is about 10 meters, or half a second of travel time. The lead truck then dictates the driving direction, speed and braking manoeuvres to the entire convoy via the electronic towing bar.

If another road user cuts into the platoon, a safety routine is immediately executed: the system automatically dissolves the platoon and the drivers are warned. Once the third party vehicle leaves the space between the trucks, the platoon reassembles. The drivers themselves can also dissolve the networked truck convoy at any time if the traffic situation requires it.

Platooning project with DB Schenker and the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences

DB Schenker, MAN and the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences are launching their development partnership to test platooning in real operations. The partners are investigating the practical use of platooning in transport logistics with test drives on the “Digital Test Field Autobahn” on the A9 between Munich and Nuremberg. One of the main aspects the researches are interested in are the changes and benefits that are brought about for the drivers' workaday routine.

As part of a development partnership, DB Schenker, MAN and the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences are currently testing the use of platooning technology under everyday conditions.

Project description

  • Scientifically supported project for the development of digitally networked truck convoys
  • DB Schenker (logistics), MAN (technology) and the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences (research) are project partners
  • Federal funding of around 2 million euros
  • Duration: 20 months (June 2017 to January 2019)

The vehicles

  • Production vehicles of the MAN TGX series for general cargo
  • Chassis for accommodating swap bodies
  • Tandem axle carriages are used as trailers.
  • Total weight of the three-axle motor vehicle: 26 tonnes
  • Total weight of the total convoy: designed for 40 tonnes
  • Total length of two truck-trailer combinations: 18.75 meters for vehicle combinations (required by law)
  • Swap container (two each per vehicle combination) with a length of 7.82 meters, box construction with a smooth surface and rounded edges.

Find out more about the MAN TGX

A driverless MAN safety vehicle safeguards mobile roadworks on a motorway shoulder against moving traffic.

Safety vehicle

A driverless MAN truck can secure motorway construction sites

Self-driving, networked truck as safety vehicles

Serious rear-end collisions are reoccurring incidents on motorway construction sites, despite extensive warning signs. In future, self-driving safety vehicles can significantly mitigate the risks to construction workers.

The driverless, automated safety vehicle is in constant contact with the work vehicle that it trails by means of a wireless data connection.

As a result, the MAN truck can completely independently follow the crew on the shoulder of the motorway at a safe distance. As part of the “aFAS” research project, MAN and seven other partners from industry, research and government are developing an innovative safety vehicle that can do its job without a driver.

As a prototype, the project partners have equipped a MAN truck with an extensive sensor system, control software and safety systems. Camera and radar systems continuously scan the surroundings. In addition, the autonomous truck stays in constant contact with the work vehicle that it follows via a wireless data link. This means that its systems are always kept up-to-date in real time about the acceleration, braking and steering manoeuvres of the lead vehicle.

MAN Truck & Bus was recognised with the Truck Innovation Award for this highly innovative safety solution. The inaugural award was presented during the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018 by the International Truck of the Year jury.

Please also read our press release about the aFAS project and the Truck Innovation Award:
To the MAN press release “Driverless safety vehicle on motorways”
To the MAN press release “MAN aFAS receives the first Truck Innovation Award”

Autonomous MAN truck in “Hamburg TruckPilot” practical test at the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA)

Automated and autonomously driven truck in customer’s specific application at the Hamburger Container Terminal

Research project to develop automation solutions in road transport

Realistically analysing and validating the precise requirements of the customer’s specific application and integration of autonomously driven trucks into the fully automated container handling process – this is the objective of the partnership between MAN and logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG as part of the “Hamburg TruckPilot” practical test. This should generate important findings for the further development of automation technology with the aim of creating a customer-ready system.

Autonomous MAN truck in “Hamburg TruckPilot” practical test at the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA)

Pioneering project partnership between MAN and Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

With the “Hamburg TruckPilot” practical test, due to run until 2021, MAN Truck & Bus and logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) have launched a highly innovative research and test project to develop automation solutions in road transport. Autonomously driven trucks are set to undergo real-life testing in the coming years. The HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) and an approximately-70-kilometre-long section of the A7 German national motorway will serve as the test environment.

Two prototype trucks fitted with the relevant electronic automation systems will initially be included in the project. The aim is for the trucks to be able to join the A7 motorway entirely automatically and ultimately carry out loading and unloading within the Container Terminal Altenwerder autonomously.

If loading is carried out autonomously, the driver can leave the vehicle and use this time to carry out other tasks. There are further potential advantages in terms of increased efficiency through anticipatory automated driving. This reduces fuel consumption considerably, and can positively influence traffic flow and also improve safety.

There will be a trained safety driver present in the vehicle at all times during the trial operation who will monitor the automation systems. The driver will intervene and take control of the vehicle if necessary.

Please also read our press release about the “Hamburg TruckPilot” project:
To the MAN press release

Already available today: Assistance systems for more safety

Our innovative assistance systems offer reliably support for your journeys: They help to handle critical traffic situations more effectively and to avoid accident risks - on the open road as well as in stop-and-go traffic or emergency braking situations.

MAN Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) minimises the risks of rear-end collisions and thus significantly reduces traffic accidents.

Emergency brake assist

The new generation of our EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) significantly reduces the risk of road accidents, thanks to the automated emergency brake function.

MAN Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Adaptive cruise control, ACC Stop & Go, automatically controls the speed of the truck as well as the distance to the traffic ahead.

Adaptive cruise control

Drive safely - even in traffic jams or slow-moving traffic: MAN ACC Stop & Go* (adaptive cruise control) automatically controls the speed of your truck and reliably ensures adequate distance to the traffic ahead.

MAN Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The MAN Lane Guard System reliably alerts you when you accidentally stray from your lane, thus offering a higher degree of safety.

Lane Guard System

The MAN Lane Guard System (LGS) prevents critical situations - especially on long journeys and on night-time drives: Our intelligent Lane Assistant continuously monitors whether you are within your traffic lane.

MAN Lane Guard System (LGS)

*Available for models TGS and TGX with D26 engine.

Press releases on automation

Autonomous MAN truck in “Hamburg TruckPilot” practical test at the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA)

Practical test at Hamburg Container Terminal

MAN Truck & Bus and logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) are testing automated and autonomously driven trucks in real-life applications. The HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) and an approximately-70-kilometre-long section of the A7 German national motorway are being used as the testing environment.

Go to press release
MAN aFAS awarded the Truck Innovation Award 2018

MAN aFAS awarded the Truck Innovation Award at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018

MAN Truck & Bus has been awarded the first ever Truck Innovation Award for its driverless motorway safety vehicle (aFAS), a level four automated safety truck.

Go to press release

Driverless safety vehicle on motorways

Munich / Bergisch Gladbach, 28 October 2016: Employees of the motorway maintenance authorities and road construction workers are exposed to significant risks at times.

Go to press release

Platooning in logistics: MAN hands over pilot vehicles to DB Schenker

Research project of DB Schenker, MAN Truck & Bus and the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences tests networked trucks in everyday logistics

Go to press release

Around 2 million euros in funding for the development of networked truck convoys

The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) sponsors platooning project of DB Schenker, MAN and the University of Applied Sciences Fresenius // The first test runs will start in the spring of 2018

Go to press release
MAN Truck M-PULSE

MAN M-PULSE: Sustainable mobility and efficient transport solutions

With the innovative motto M-PULSE, pioneer and visionary MAN delivers the deciding impulse for the transport world of tomorrow. At the core of this new motto lies sustainable mobility, an emission-free future and the discovery and implementation of efficient and economical transport solutions.

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