Autonomous driving technology for California trucks
Trucking component supply companies ZF and WABCO have announced the next stage in autonomous driving technology for truckers. The companies have previously released such collision avoidance technology as WABCO’s OnGuard braking system and ZF’s steering system, but this joint venture blends technology from both lines. The Evasive Maneuver Assist system was announced on June 28 as a progression of existing active braking systems.
One of the most common causes of trucking accidents is when a car stops suddenly and a truck does not have enough time to avoid it or stop before a rear-end collision occurs. EMA technology is designed to alert truck drivers with visual and auditory warnings when a collision is about to take place. If the driver does not react in time, the EMA technology will take over and either brake for the driver to prevent the collision or maneuver around the other vehicle. EMA technology uses sensors to gauge whether adjacent lanes are clear to pass into and how close other vehicles are to the truck.
EMA system technology is an improvement upon existing automatic braking features because it exercises a degree of artificial judgment that takes surrounding traffic conditions into consideration. If a nearby lane is occupied, the EMA system will brake the truck to minimize the impact. The system also uses sensory data, such as radar, to detect stopped vehicles.
Tractor-trailer crashes can cause catastrophic injuries to people who are in other vehicles due to the overwhelming size and weight of big rigs. When it can be determined that an accident was caused by a negligent truck driver, a personal injury attorney could assist a victim in seeking compensation from the driver and in some cases the trucking company itself.