Daimler Trucks has just announced the U.S.’ first autonomous truck, the Freightliner Inspiration. The truck has been granted a license for road use in Nevada, allowing Daimler to further test the truck’s systems and abilities to self-drive along the highway.

This isn’t Daimler’s first autonomous truck, however. 2014 Saw the automaker demonstrate the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 as it drove along the A14 autobahn near Magdeburg, Germany. It’s technology from that truck that has crossed the Atlantic – and through some rigorous recalibration for U.S. roads – and into the Freightliner Inspiration. It’s called Highway Pilot.


Daimler says the autonomous truck is designed to help ease the stress on long-haul drivers, as well as reduce traffic congestion and improve the truck’s overall fuel efficiency thanks to the computer-controlled driving. The company makes it clear the truck isn’t a replacement for drivers, saying the self-driving aspect is relegated to highway use and the driver is needed for rural and urban roads.

In fact, Daimler sees the driver’s roll actually becoming more important. During highway sprints, drivers can attend to other tasks, or even become “transport managers” – making the trucking career more attractive.


Though Daimler makes no reference to the Freightliner Inspiration’s powerplant, the truck is based off the standard Freightliner Cascadia Evolution. Under its hood lies a Detroit Diesel DD15, inline six-cylinder turbodiesel that displaces a massive 14.8 liters. The engine comes in various tunes, but can make up to 505 horsepower and 1,750 pound-feet of torque. The engine uses Mercedes’ BlueTec aftertreatment system to keep exhaust emissions down. A Jake brake helps bring things to a relatively quick stop.

Power is routed through the optional Detroit DT12 Automated Manual Transmission that features 12 forward speeds. The transmission features the traditional inner workings of a manual transmission, but its clutch and shift lever are computer controlled to promote easy driving and increased efficiency. The tranny also includes Skip Shift, which allows the transmission to skip gears when the extra torque isn’t needed, along with eCoast, a function that disengages the transmission during coasting that is designed to save fuel.