The work is being undertaken under the DESERVE (DEvelopment platform for Safe and Efficient dRiVE) project, coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
The truck of the future will sense nearby obstacles and safety risks, and inform the driver, while also monitoring the vehicle's driving behaviour and drawing the drivers attention to hazardous situations.
The new software integrates cameras, radar and laser scanners, and connects to vehicles' existing systems.
Iveco Finland provided the truck, with a highly developed camera system, which is being augmented with a 360° camera system, three 3D cameras, nine short-range radar systems and three in-vehicle cameras.
With this level of equipment, say the project leaders, the driver can get real-time information on obstacles and safety risks. The first versions of the systems should be ready for installation in vehicles within two years, they add.
The DESERVE project has been funded via the EU ECSEL programme, and by TEKES in Finland. Major players in the automotive industry such as Fiat, Daimler, Continental, Volvo, Bosch, INRIA, ICOOR, dSpace and INFINEON are involved.
The project, which began in 2012, ends in February 2016.