UD Trucks is a part of Japan’s first truck-platooning operation test. The test is part of a government project to put into practice truck-platooning operations, in which a manned truck leads a line of driverless trucks, in 2022.
Three manned trucks equipped with communication devices have been running at intervals of 35 meters, forming a line about 100 meters long in total.
During the test, all drivers can hold the wheel. But the driver of the leading truck is the only one allowed to control the accelerator and brake. The following trucks adjust their speed automatically based on information from the leading truck.
The test also marked the world’s first vehicle-platooning operation trial using a system developed by more than one automaker.
Another test operation is slated end of February on the Kita-Kanto Expressway in the northern Kanto region.
Read more about our participation in other research projects with platooning European Truck Platooning Challenge and Sweden4Platooning
