MAN Truck & Bus, ZF Friedrichshafen, Daimler Buses and more

Ahead of IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024, MAN Truck & Bus has given 200 journalists a preview of their upcoming showcase against the backdrop of the Austrian Alps. For the first time, journalists had the opportunity to directly compare trucks with electric, hydrogen, and the latest diesel engines. The highlight was the new eTruck, which boasts a modular battery concept and over a million configuration possibilities, including different wheelbases, cabs, PTOs, and industry-specific equipment, catering to the needs of all relevant sectors and transportation tasks. Notably, the eTruck is prepared for the upcoming Megawatt Charging Standard (MCS) with up to 1000 kW, allowing recharging during a driver's mandatory rest period. With a daily range of up to 800 kilometers, the eTruck is also suitable for typical long-haul applications.

Additionally, MAN showcased a prototype of a truck, equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine in Austria, set for limited production of 200 units starting in 2025. This model will be delivered to customers in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, and select non-European countries. Concurrently, MAN is developing the Power-Lion drivetrain for conventional combustion engine trucks, promising significant fuel savings and CO2 reductions of up to 3.7%. The test drives in the Alps also highlighted new driver assistance systems focusing on decarbonization technologies, including advanced safety features like pedestrian and cyclist detection, emergency brake assist (EBA), and turning assistance. A featured vehicle was the MAN TGE transporter, equipped with new safety and assistance features like Cruise Assist Plus and an emergency assistance system that continuously monitors driver activity and can autonomously bring the vehicle to a stop if necessary.

ZF Friedrichshafen has announced various innovations in electric drive systems, automation technologies, and advanced driver-assistance systems ahead of IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024. At its Global Technology Day, ZF showcased its latest developments for commercial vehicles, focusing on electrification, vehicle automation, and digitalization. Highlights included solutions for complete electrification of trucks and buses, and the new TraXon 2 Hybrid transmission for heavy-duty vehicles. ZF is also expanding the rollout of their chassis software, cubiX, into the commercial vehicle sector, aiming to optimize vehicle handling in terms of stability, safety, precision, and performance, with interfaces to virtual driver systems and vehicle actuators, regardless of whether they are from ZF.

Among the innovations unveiled was the ready-to-market, cloud-based AI service Annotate, intended to revolutionize the development of advanced and autonomous assistance systems from Level 2+ to Level 5. This service solution acts as a redundant setup independent of the sensor set being tested, facing the same road conditions in real-time and providing highly accurate comparative measurements after annotation. Thanks to sophisticated 2D and 3D tracking algorithms, this reference system, suitable for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, is claimed to work up to ten times faster and 80% more cost-effectively than comparable market products.

For increased driving safety, ZF highlighted a test vehicle at its Jeversen proving ground designed to make lane changes safer. Supported by radar and camera, the system monitors traffic conditions in automated driving mode while constantly checking the driver's attention. It issues acoustic and visual warnings to alert drivers of potentially dangerous lane changes or performs the maneuver independently in non-critical situations to prevent collisions during lane changes of trucks.

Daimler Buses is set to unveil the new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Safety Coach at IAA TRANSPORTATION, equipped with the latest safety and assistance systems. This sixth iteration of the Safety Coach is designed not only to meet the "General Safety Regulation 2" (GSR 2) effective from July 2024 but also to exceed these requirements with technologies such as Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6), Preventive Brake Assist 2, Sideguard Assist 2, and new systems like Frontguard Assist and Traffic Sign Assist.

Active Brake Assist 6 is capable of initiating automatic full braking for pedestrians and cyclists up to speeds of 60 km/h, offering enhanced response capabilities and reducing false alarms. Sideguard Assist 2 provides a 270-degree environmental detection, now monitoring both the passenger and driver sides of the bus. Frontguard Assist monitors the area in front of the vehicle and can warn the driver of obstacles at speeds up to 15 km/h.

Additionally, the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Safety Coach features the optional MirrorCam system, which replaces traditional mirrors to expand the driver's field of vision and reduce fuel consumption by minimizing wind resistance. Other built-in safety features include Lane Keeping Assist (SPA), Attention Assist (AtAs), Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM), Adaptive Cruise Control (ART) with Stop-and-Go functionality, Brake Assist (BA), Permanent Brake Limiter (DBL), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), rain-light sensor, and a 360-degree camera system.

The Maxus eDeliver 5 will make its official debut in Germany at IAA TRANSPORTATION. This electric van is the first model based on the so-called MILA platform, which stands for modular, intelligent, and lightweight architecture. This platform aims to set new standards in load volume, payload, comfort, connectivity, handling, and efficiency. The eDeliver 5 will be available in two lengths. The L1 model offers a cargo volume of 6.6 cubic meters, while the L2 model provides 7.7 cubic meters. The maximum payload is 1,190 kilograms for the three-seat L2 model. Both variants can tow up to 1,500 kilograms (braked). The cargo space measures 2.65 meters long in the L1 model and 3.10 meters in the L2 model, with a width between the wheel arches of 1.25 meters to accommodate a Euro pallet easily. A through-loading facility allows for the transport of longer materials. Access is facilitated by two rear doors that open at a 180-degree angle and two sliding side doors.

The eDeliver 5 is powered by a 120 kW (163 horsepower) electric motor that produces 240 Nm of torque. It consumes 21.0 kWh per 100 kilometers (L1 – WLTP combined). The 64 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery offers a range of up to 335 kilometers (WLTP combined), with up to 489 kilometers possible in urban settings. At a 70-kW fast-charging station, the battery can be charged in just 42 minutes, while overnight charging can be comfortably done at an 11-kW wall box.

A research team in Karlsruhe, Germany has explored the potential of using public transportation to deliver packages. The project partners introduced a prototype of a transport tram wagon along with the concept of the "Logiktram": the sender loads a so-called e-trailer with packages at their logistics center. This vehicle then autonomously travels to the closest tram station to board. A designated space within the wagon secures the e-trailer, ensuring it remains in place even in the event of an emergency stop. Announcements notify the passengers about the non-human travel mate before boarding. This e-trailer can transfer to other trams and, upon reaching its destination, is retrieved by a person who attaches it to a bicycle to deliver the packages. After delivery, the e-trailer is returned to the stop to return. The project initiators believe that cargo trams could help manage the rising package traffic with a sustainable transport concept for urban and regional supply to households and businesses. A test operation in Karlsruhe is planned to start in 2027.

Logistics provider Duvenbeck is partially powering its truck fleet with the bio-based fuel HVO 100 (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), having secured sufficient supplies. Produced from plant oils, HVO 100 burns cleaner and offers better cold properties compared to traditional diesel. Duvenbeck was reportedly the first German logistics company to test this fuel in an extended pilot project, yielding overwhelmingly positive results. Drivers have noticed clearly quieter vehicles and performance comparable to diesel trucks, minus the typical diesel smell during refueling.

Logistics provider DSV and drugstore chain dm, in collaboration with commercial vehicle manufacturer Iveco and software company Plus, have initiated a pilot project focused on semi-automated driving. The goal is to test and validate the production readiness of the semi-automated Iveco S-Way. After several months of tests, the truck is now being deployed on routes in Germany between dm's distribution center in Waghäusel and DSV's center in Gernsheim. Initially, Iveco drivers will test the S-Way and train DSV drivers for its operation. According to the companies, DSV and dm are the first in Germany to test this semi-autonomous driver assistance solution for trucks in Europe.