NEW ACTROS
(^28) Summer 2019 Truck & Driver
MirrorCam enhances side visibility
PPC and ADA systems both reduce driver input
Twin screens show main view (top) and wide angle (below)
guiding itself, although it can be
overridden by the driver.
While we at T&D are in the
slightly sceptical camp when it
comes to a lot of modern
technology, we are still open-
minded to anything that
ultimately makes drivers lives
easier, particularly on our chaotic
and crowded road network.
No reflection
On an overcast May morning just
outside Barcelona, we found
ourselves facing a long line of
shiny New Generation Actros
4x2 tractors, all without mirrors,
coupled to equally immaculate
Euroliner trailers. As you
approach the familiar Actros cab,
it’s immediately clear something
is missing as the existing Merc
range has one of the largest
mirror set-ups of all. Substituting
the mirrors for a camera system
mounted on a small aerodynamic
bracket mounted on the side roof
panel definitely enhances the
view in and out of the side
windows. Otherwise the familiar
being spilt between the main
view in the larger upper section
and the wide angle below.
Although the driver’s side screen
seems too close to the seat to
begin with, this perception soon
changes when you start driving.
It’s possible to adjust the
direction and brightness of the
displays via a remote control,
and the system reacts instantly
when entering a tunnel, altering
the focus to compensate.
Initially the natural reaction is
to look through the side windows
on pulling away, but confidence in
the camera system soon grows.
The improved view through the
side windows is very welcome at
roundabouts and junctions, this
helping to maintain progress in
urban areas.
Twin screens
Each screen displays a series of
distance lines, the three upper
ones showing the distance to
vehicles and other objects beyond.
The lines extend across the
screen when indicating and do
help to judge distances. Another
line shows the rearmost point of
the trailer, which helps when
reversing onto a loading bay.
The camera tracks the trailer
when turning too, always keeping
the bogie wheels and rear of the
trailer in sight, even when on full
lock; reversing, especially on the
blind side, should now be easier.
We activated the ADA steering
system on the motorway and
immediately its effect could be
felt via the wheel. Initially, if you
try to steer the truck yourself, it
feels a bit like you have a soft
tyre; it pays to just keep a loose
grip on the wheel and let the
system do its stuff. Trying it
through an automated péage or
toll, we slowed the truck to
15km/h or so and it steered itself,
keeping dead centre between the
concrete walls. It was a strange
sensation, particularly as we
were still getting used to the
MirrorCam system...
A warning alerts you if you
take your hands off the wheel for
too long and we found that the
system prefers both hands, which
could be an issue on really long
journeys, and the system stops
working when the white lines
peter out. We would like to spend
more time with the technology
before giving a firm opinion, but it
should definitely reduce the
number of accidents related to a
driver’s loss of concentration on
long, boring, straight roads.
As for PPC, we tried the
system on a twisting country
route, which included a long
descent with a series of sharp
hairpin bends. It worked very
well. We were following another
demo Actros and the PPC,
combined with the distance
control, allowed our truck to keep
a steady speed and distance, it
only faltering once or twice on
the sharpest corners when it
briefly lost sight of the other truck.
Overall, we were impressed
with this system. It will always take
a relatively cautious approach on
tougher routes; other drivers at
the wheel of normal trucks and
more familiar with the route might
like to crack on a bit more.
Sadly, we didn’t get a chance
to try out the Active Brake Assist
or Sideguard Assist systems out
on the road and had only a
limited opportunity to fully
familiarise ourselves with the
new screen-based switch and
control system.
Most of the actions are
controlled via the steering
wheel-mounted buttons, the
central unit working like the
mouse on a laptop, which takes
a bit of getting used to.
Otherwise the system makes
more sense the more you use it.
This and the rest of the smart
technology is all part of a
different approach to controlling
and driving a truck, Mercedes-
Benz feeling that it will attract the
younger generation to driving.
Verdict
The new Actros is intriguing; we
reserve full judgement until we
try a demo truck for a week or
two’s proper work. The Merc is in
the vanguard of a new generation
of vehicles that will change
transport and the driver’s role
considerably, but full training and
familiarisation will be essential to
get the best from the tech.
cab structure is the same.
All of the demo trucks had
versions of the full-width, flat-floor
cab, only the roof height differing.
Climb the steps and you notice
an oblong screen mounted at the
top of the front grab handle.
Drivers will have to avoid
grabbing the base of the screen
rather than the grab handle; it
seems pretty strong but would
probably suffer with 18 stone or
more pulling on it regularly.
Firing up the ignition no
longer requires the key/remote to
be pushed in the dash; it merely
has to be in the cab and within
two metres of the start button,
while the remote locking will
operate up to 50 metres from the
truck. Common now with cars,
keyless starting is a novelty for
trucks. The remote batteries will
need to be changed regularly,
and there could be issues with
drivers leaving the key in their
pocket at the end of a shift.
The twin MirrorCam screens
spring to life as soon as the
ignition comes on, the screens