Daimler Truck demonstrated new truck safety technology at its Oregon proving grounds that in tests recognized collision risks and applied brakes to avoid or reduce the force of impacts.
Fox News reported the demonstrations and technical details, citing Daimler Truck North America and on-site tests at the Oregon facility.
Engineers used dummy cars on remote-controlled platforms to simulate vehicles suddenly crossing a moving Freightliner Cascadia. In one test the truck avoided a collision; in another it clipped the dummy after braking, which the report said still reduced the impact compared with no braking. The demonstrations generally took place at speeds between 40 and 55 mph, and the tested trailer carried about 30,000 pounds.
The systems are part of Daimler’s Detroit Assurance suite. At the center is Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA6), which uses five radar sensors and a camera to provide roughly 270 degrees of coverage alongside a standard 53-foot trailer, the report said. ABA6 is already standard on the fifth‑generation Cascadia.
Fox News described additional features shown in the tests: Cross Traffic Assist, which uses radar to detect vehicles crossing a truck’s path at intersections and can issue warnings or apply partial or full braking; Active Side Guard Assist 2, which adds left‑turn protections when the turn signal is active; Active Lane Assist 2 for lane centering and drift correction; and Attentive Driver Protection, which can slow a truck to a stop and activate hazard lights if a driver fails to respond to escalating warnings while lane keeping is active.
The report said Daimler Truck North America plans to make the left‑turn and related improvements standard on Freightliner Cascadias built beginning in 2027, with production planned for January 2027.
The Fox News story noted limitations: many older trucks lack the newest systems, sensors can struggle in poor weather or low visibility, and automatic braking cannot guarantee every collision will be avoided.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
