FEATURE
DAimlER TRUcks ADDREssEs ThE miDDlE EAsT With the current generation of heavyduty trucks from Mercedes-Benz, Daimler Trucks is introducing cuttingedge technology to the growth markets in the Near and Middle East as well as in Africa. Mercedes-Benz Actros and Arocs are now being launched in more than 40 additional markets in the Near and Middle East, northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Since the launch of the current generation of the Actros and Arocs in 2011, Mercedes-Benz has been the clear leader in the heavy-duty truck sector in Europe. Daimler Trucks now aims to continue this success story in the growth markets in the Near and Middle East as well as in Africa. In this context, the Actros represents a reliable and efficient solution for long-distance and distribution haulage. MercedesBenz is also offering the Arocs to meet the more extreme challenges at construction sites or in off-road use. The trucks sporting the Mercedes star are configured for extreme conditions involving intense heat and humidity, difficult terrain, dust, and for extra-heavy loads. Inline engines spanning an output range from 240 kW (326 hp) to 460 kW (625 hp), automated PowerShift3 transmissions, reinforced frames, robust planetary axles, optimised filter and cooling systems and latest-generation safety and assistance systems are the order of the day – the trucks are exceptionally robust and equipped with state-ofthe-art yet proven technology. To this end they have been put through their paces in the most rigorous test programme ever conducted at the company for trucks. The market launch is being staged by Daimler’s regional centres for commercial vehicles in Dubai and Nairobi.
now, for instance, able to react to people in the speed range up to 50 km/h. Active Brake Assist 5 is capable of applying full braking when encountering pedestrians crossing its path, approaching from the front or walking ahead. If Active Brake Assist 5 detects the risk of an accident with a vehicle travelling ahead, a stationary obstacle or a pedestrian, the driver is alerted to the danger by a multi-stage warning system. If the driver fails to react, the system will apply full emergency braking, within system limits. Sideguard Assist, too, is able to detect pedestrians as well as moving or stationary objects. The system can help the driver of a left-hand drive vehicle making a right-hand turn to avoid collisions with, for instance, cyclists, pedestrians or stationary obstacles. If a moving or stationary object is identified within the monitoring zone on the vehicle’s nearside, the driver is provided with a visible warning. If there is a risk of collision, an additional visual and acoustic warning is triggered. Sideguard Assist has been available since 2016 for heavy-duty trucks from Mercedes-Benz, where it monitors both the tractor unit and the trailer or semi-trailer. In Germany, every third Actros or Antos already comes equipped with the system. As the first series-produced vehicle in the world with this feature, the new Actros with L cab or above is fitted as standard with a MirrorCam instead of a conventional outside mirror. This camera system uses just digital cameras and displays. An important side effect here is that the driver now has a good, diagonal view past the A-pillars, increasing the field of vision and enhancing safety.
smooThiNg oUT coRNERs When turning corners with a tractor unit and semitrailer the MirrorCam transmits an image on the display on the inside of the bend is pivoted to provide an optimal view of the entire trailer.
Active Brake Assist 5 is capable of applying full braking when encountering pedestrians crossing its path”
impRoviNg ThE FiElD oF viEw With MirrorCam, the driver now has a good, diagonal view past the A-pillars, increasing the field of vision and enhancing safety, says Daimler.
The MirrorCam has multiple functions that help the driver: when driving forwards, the classic and familiar division of the field of view is shown on the display, echoing the pattern with conventional mirrors. When taking corners with a tractor unit and semitrailer, however, the image on the display on the inside of the bend is pivoted to provide an optimal view of the entire trailer. Distance lines help to provide a clearer assessment of the traffic behind. There is also an additional line that can be individually set, e.g. to show the end of the trailer, thereby making precision manoeuvring by the centimetre even easier. Once it starts to get dark, the background illumination of the screen automatically adjusts to the level of ambient light. The MirrorCam also features a special manoeuvring view when reversing. The upper part of the display shows the area close to the vehicle and the lower part of the display shows the area away from the vehicle with a certain degree of overlap. If Sideguard Assist is installed the MirrorCam displays warnings in critical driving conditions. Active Brake Assist 4 – ABA 4, for short – with pedestrian detection marks a further high point in the development of assistance systems at Daimler Buses. Not only will it automatically initiate full emergency braking for moving and stationary obstacles ahead, it will also warn the driver of a potential collision with pedestrians and, at the same time, automatically initiate partial braking. This gives the driver every opportunity to prevent a collision with a pedestrian: The driver can warn the pedestrian using the horn, initiate full emergency braking or steer to avoid the collision. Active Brake Assist 4 will become JANUARY 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 25