An article about the most interesting 10 trucks of the future, their features and characteristics. At the end of the article - an interesting video about what the trucks of the future will be like!
The content of the article:
Technological development in the automotive industry has reached unprecedented heights, and it seems that it is not going to stop. Cars are becoming faster, more economical, advanced construction materials are being used, and entire transport concepts are being developed. This fully applies to trucks. Let's take a closer look at this area, which is given undeservedly little attention, and highlight the ten most interesting cars.
Rating of futuristic trucks
10th place. Nicholas One
A young but ambitious company from the USA, Nikola Motor Company, presented its vision of what a modern truck should become. The developers did not limit themselves to half measures and switched the model to electric traction, which, at the current level of development of such technologies, is a very bold step, since the cost of combining a gas turbine engine, generator and electric motor calls into question the economic feasibility of such fuel savings.
The power reserve of the novelty reaches 2000 km, and the power plant power in the traditional equivalent is 2000 hp. A fully laden car can accelerate to 100 km / h in just 30 seconds, which was quite recently a good indicator for mass passenger cars. This combination of indicators indicates that the developers sought to demonstrate the limit of technological capabilities, rather than present a production model. Against this background, the study of the shape of a cabover cab in order to achieve a low drag coefficient seems to be something ordinary.
9th place. Iveco Z Truck
According to the automaker, this is the truck of the future, allowing today to reduce operating costs by a third. The power plant in the form of an internal combustion engine running on biomethane has a return of 460 hp, and the mileage at one gas station reaches 2200 km.
The car is equipped with a recovery system, thanks to which the heat from the exhaust gases is used to generate additional electricity. Fuel economy is also facilitated by special tires with reduced rolling resistance.
Information about the operation parameters of all systems is displayed using a projector on the windshield, and the active introduction of driver assistance functions into the on-board computer greatly facilitates the driving process.
The cabin layout has also been seriously worked out, which, in addition to the maximum aerodynamics possible today (for a hoodless layout), also has a transformable interior space, which allows increasing the volume of the household module in the parking lot due to the back wall shifted back by 0.5 m.
8th place. Freightliner Inspiration Truck
The development of the concept of autonomous trucks is carried out by many automakers, including in America. At first glance, the Inspiration Truck, presented to the public back in 2015, looks like a modern, but not advanced car, made according to classic design canons, but on-board electronics, capable of transporting without the help of a driver, makes us reconsider this opinion. Due to the fact that the transport infrastructure, as well as the autonomous control systems themselves, still need to be improved, the manufacturer positions the Highway Pilot (the autopilot of this model) as an assistant to the driver, and not a replacement. The system is able to recognize road signs, markings, as well as analyze the speed and maneuvers of other road users.
A distinctive feature of the autopilot is the lack of overtaking and rebuilding functions, so the participation of the driver is still necessary, but this is more of a safety net, an artificially introduced restriction, rather than an imperfection of the computer system.
The power plant is traditional - an engine, or rather a wide range of internal combustion engines, a 6x4 wheel arrangement, a bonnet layout.
7th place. Walmart Advanced Truck
A remarkable fact is that this truck was not developed by a leading automaker or tuning studio, but by the Walmart trading company, which tried to embody in it all the requirements dictated by the modern realities of real operation. First of all, special attention was paid to efficiency, which is why the truck cab is streamlined, with a protruding lower part.
It should be noted that the interior space in the area of the driver's workplace turned out to be quite narrow, which is why his seat is located in the center of the cab. This improves visibility, and the lack of space is compensated by a huge household module behind the driver.
The design of the semi-trailer has also been worked out, many parts of which are made of carbon fiber, which made it possible to reduce the weight by two tons compared to traditional models.
The truck received a multi-fuel engine that can fully operate on diesel, natural gas and modern biodiesel. In addition, there is a rechargeable battery that provides up to 100 km of run.
6th place. Iveco Vision
No less interesting are the developments in the field of light commercial vehicles. Iveco Vision electronic systems allow you to scan the cargo and give tips on its optimal placement, which significantly increases the efficiency of transportation. To achieve maximum efficiency and reduce emissions, the power plant is able to recognize the driving mode and operate accordingly: on the highway as a conventional hybrid engine, and in the city using only electric traction. According to the manufacturer, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 25% compared to the traditional scheme.
Serious work has been done with the body. The fact is that for a light van, the main field of activity of which is urban transportation, good visibility is necessary. In view of this, the engineers had to develop a complex openwork design of the front pillars, which made it possible to maintain the high rigidity of the cabin.
5th place. Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025
In terms of design or design, this model from the German auto giant is not very impressive, but the electronic filling, which allows you to do without driver assistance for almost the entire length of the route, is really a new stage in the development of freight traffic.
In July of this year, a video of testing new items on public roads was already published. It is also reported that the car will be equipped with a synchronization system with other cars, which will reduce the risk of accidents to almost zero. The electronic autopilot scans space in two planes and is able to determine the lane of the road, as well as to monitor other road users and pedestrians.
The cab of the truck also deserves special mention - it is decorated in a style as close as possible to the living room, and this applies not only to the size and equipment of household appliances. The floor in it is made of a wooden covering, similar to parquet, and the passenger seat is completely implemented in the form of a chair in the corner.
The numbers in the model name do not indicate the year when the model will be brought to production, they indicate the predicted date when the road infrastructure will be able to accept this advanced development.
4th place. Toyota Privus
The developers of this truck put the achievement of the maximum possible aerodynamic streamlining at the forefront, which is why, with a classic bonnet layout, the angle of inclination of the windshield practically coincides with the line of the hood. The only negative point in this solution is the increase in the overall length of the road train, which impairs its maneuverability and limits the useful length of the semi-trailer.
Solar panels are actively used in the car, which makes it possible to provide power not only to auxiliary equipment, but also to the main systems.
The decision to use alternative energy sources literally hung in the air, since it was simply wasteful not to use the huge areas of trucks. In on-board electronics, inverter systems are actively used, which make it possible to receive both direct and alternating current to power the necessary devices.
To facilitate the process of loading / unloading, the roof of the cargo compartment is made folding with the help of servos.
3rd place. Chameleon
This purely concept truck is the embodiment of the dream of transport companies to create a versatile vehicle with a variable capacity. Chameleon, by simple manipulation of the switches on the instrument panel, is able to change the size of the cargo compartment in a couple of tens of seconds. This is achieved thanks to the modular-sectional design, made of elastic and durable tarpaulin on a metal frame, which allows not only to change the geometric parameters, but also provides reliable fixation of the load, as well as effective energy absorption upon impact.
The loading mechanism is also quite original. According to the developers, the idea was suggested to them by nature itself, in particular, by a python that swallows prey, but something similar has long been used to create cargo aircraft.
Before loading, the cabin leans up with the help of a special mechanism, which opens access to the cargo compartment, then special guides equipped with a conveyor belt are pulled out of it, thanks to which the container is loaded independently.
If you look at the car in profile, then in its central part a hemispherical element stands out, which the cargo segments go around when partially filled and the need to reduce the dimensions of the vehicle.
2nd place. Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Eco-D
This advanced truck was presented to the general public in the “dump truck” version, the distinguishing feature of which was a streamlined cab, devoid of front pillars, with a huge glass area.
Carbon is actively used as materials, which can significantly reduce the car's own weight. The cabin is made of composite material, which allows not only to reduce weight, but also to provide high levels of spatial rigidity.
The power plant is combined: a diesel engine that generates electricity for an electric motor. Rather, the characteristics of the described units are striking. So, the power of a diesel engine with a volume of 3 liters. is 125 hp, and the electric motor is 35 kW. How sufficient load capacity is achieved in this case, the developers do not specify.
If we consider the installation in more detail, then a rather capacious lithium-ion battery will appear, which, obviously, will accumulate excess energy when driving with low loads and give it away if necessary.
The practical implementation of such an idea looks very doubtful, since the transportation of goods over long distances can lead to a complete discharge of the battery and insufficient traction-weight ratio of the car. Even taking into account the load capacity of 3 tons, the actual operation causes great concern.
1st place. Scania Truck
This concept truck is as close as possible to serial samples both in terms of the aggregate part and in appearance. The fact is that the engineers thought not only about the futuristic design, good (for a truck, of course) aerodynamics and the use of modern materials.
The undercarriage was also carefully designed. So, a diesel-electric installation is used as a motor, and there is no direct connection between the internal combustion engine and the wheels. The diesel is connected to a generator that generates electricity for an electric motor that drives the truck. Such a constructive solution has been widely known for decades and was implemented even in the Soviet BelAZ with its motor-wheels. Diesel-electric installation allows you to achieve amazing efficiency at low loads, but as they increase, fuel consumption becomes more than significant. According to the assurances of the designers, they managed to cope with this problem, as well as to reduce the amount of harmful emissions to a minimum.
Thus, modern developments are aimed not only at improving the efficiency of existing models, but also at changing the very concept of "truck", in fact, the implementation of the above concepts will change the very organization of cargo transportation, as well as fully automate this process.
What will be the trucks of the future - watch the video:
Imagine for a moment: 2020, the era of new technologies has come, the time has come for an automated, somewhat carefree future, probably full of all sorts of unusual things that science fiction dreamers constantly talk about
Progress is moving forward and requires more and more new ideas and incarnations. Even in areas such as freight transport. The trucks familiar in the past decade are gone, and they have been replaced by miracle cars. Perhaps these will be such cars as in the famous films "5th Element", "Transformers", and maybe even better.
One way or another, even manufacturers such as Volvo, Scania, MAN-Fulda, Mercedes-Benz and Haishan Deng are sure that trucks will change significantly in just 15 years.
Truck of the future from Volvo - safer
A manufacturer from Sweden has developed a model of a 2020 mainline tractor. The starting point for the creation of the "Truck of the Future" project was the introduction of the head of design and one of the creators of the Concept Truck 2020, Ricard Orell. In his opinion, in the near future, columns of giant caravans will be controlled by an autopilot.
As for the distinctive qualities of the interior of the truck cab of the future, instead of the traditional instrument panel, the designers equipped the cab with a thin film panel that works like a touch phone. All information is displayed on the panel with a light touch of a finger. The driver's seat is equipped with a ventilated seat, and in the household unit there is a sofa bed.
As expected, according to all the canons of films about the future, the body has a streamlined shape, which visually reduces the size of the car. LED optics and direction indicators are built into the front bumper of the car. TV cameras replace rear-view mirrors and broadcast a picture on the inside surface of the windshield. At the bottom of the front of the car is a visor that protrudes about 0.5 m forward. According to the manufacturer, this protection will soften the blow in a head-on collision with another car.
Another safety measure from the company - a video camera on the instrument panel is aimed directly at the driver's face. This system ensures that the driver does not fall asleep. As soon as he begins to close his eyes more often or squeeze his eyelids for a while, a sharp signal will sound, and the inscription on the instrument panel will appear: "Stop and rest!" Even if the driver is distracted by the "mobile phone", starts to tune the radio, or for some other reason stops following the road with his eyes - the "eye" will react to this as well.
The inscription "Globetrotter" (English wanderer) on the roof has changed its design. But the driver can use the controls to change the text.
The most discussed idea is to combine trucks into a long caravan controlled by a wireless data transmission system. Antennas will be installed on the roofs of all vehicles, with the help of which the trucks will receive and process information from the computer system of the leading vehicle. If the first car starts to slow down, then the rest will slow down.
Truck of the future from Scania - bonneted
But the designers of Scania are seriously determined to return bonneted trucks to the roads and presented the Scania STAX bonneted model. According to the company, this is exactly what the truck of the future should look like.
All body parts with bevels, which successfully affects the aerodynamic drag of the truck. The narrowed engine compartment expands and passes into a spacious cabin with a large panoramic glass, equipped with a transverse berth.
The drive bogie of the Scania truck is single-sided. Stylish wheels are perfectly combined with the exterior design of the car. Instead of rear-view mirrors, the truck of the future Scania STAX is equipped with video cameras. Tanks, fuel pump and battery are masked by streamlined sidewalls. The designers offer 4 light blocks: low and high beam headlights are placed at the bottom, spotlights at the top and 2 fog lights are built in at the top and bottom.
Truck of the future from MAN - economical
Krone and MAN are thinking seriously about saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions when developing the truck concept of the future. The joint collaboration resulted in an aerodynamically optimized semi-trailer tractor that is connected to an AeroLiner trailer.
MAN Concept S is equipped with modern safety features: video cameras, tire pressure monitoring systems, emergency braking and support load reduction, anti-swing protection. The truck of the future MAN Concept S stands out dramatically from the usual cars due to the streamlined body with protruding arches above the wheels and curved cab shapes. At the same time, the truck of the future achieves a sufficiently low percentage of resistance, thus saving up to 25% of fuel and reducing CO2 emissions.
A new spoiler integrated into the roof completely equalizes the play between the tractor and the trailer and allows air to flow freely along the machine. The design of the rear of the Aero Liner trailer makes it possible to load and unload goods using a ramp with louvered gates. To achieve the best roof height, it is enough to raise the upper crossbar of the door. The rear underrun protection was designed with all safety measures in mind.
Especially for the MAN Concept S, Continental has developed experimental EcoPlus S tires that perfectly match the look of the truck of the future.
Truck of the future from Mercedes-Benz - stylish
Mercedes-Benz designers did a great job on the model of the truck of the future - a mainline 2-axle truck tractor.
The front of the cabin (below) looks like a breakwater of a sea vessel, and if you look at the side of the truck of the future, you can see the profile of a fish. This peculiar design is used to improve the aerodynamic qualities of the machine. Doors in the household unit provide quite a convenient passage. The cabin itself is comfortable and spacious.
A characteristic feature of the truck of the future Mercedes-Benz is a transparent "lantern" over the driver's seat made of tinted glass, steel and forged aluminum. The presence of such a lamp provides the driver with a better view. In the center of the round windshield is a wiper with 3 blades that repeat the location of the three-pointed star of the company logo.
Truck of the future from Haishan Deng - "The Chameleon"
The inspirer of the Haishan Deng company was, oddly enough, a prey-eating python. What does this have to do with the truck of the future, you ask? The answer is simple. Loading or unloading a car takes a lot of time. In addition, this process most often requires the help of special equipment. Haishan took this problem into account when designing its truck of the future. According to her idea, the truck of the future should "swallow" the cargo itself. This feature will save you time and money. What does the loading process look like?
Cabin on sliders moves up. Ladders with a conveyor belt extend from the front part from below, with the help of which the goods move inside the machine. As planned, the empty Chameleon is short in length. However, during the loading process, the length of the machine gradually increases and reaches a maximum when the entire load is inside. After loading, the cabin returns to its original position.
To ensure safety, the designers covered the elastic frame of the car with a strong carbon fiber fabric - in case of collisions at low speeds, no one will be injured. The cabin is designed for 2 people, and landing is carried out from the front when the glass dome is raised.
The streamlined shape of the road train reduces dynamic air resistance. And the "compressed" state of an empty truck improves aerodynamics and contributes to lower fuel consumption.
Perhaps many of these projects will never see life and remain the dreams of many. But the fact remains. The development of such projects is an excellent example of the need to believe in a better future, prepare to take the place of a leader in the market, and push back competitors who lost time and forgot about technological progress. And who knows, perhaps the roads of our planet will still begin to plow such trucks of the future as the Volvo Concept Truck 2020, Scania STAX, Man Concept S, Mercedes-Benz, The Chameleon. Then with confidence it will be possible to say - the future has become a little closer.
According to research by the US Department of Energy, road trains make up only about 4% of the total number of vehicles on the road, but they account for 20% of all automotive fuel. You now understand why the US and European governments are motivating commercial vehicle manufacturers to develop technologies that increase the efficiency of cargo transportation. And they do it by introducing the craziest and most innovative tractors. Just the other day, the North American division of Volvo Trucks introduced the stunning SuperTruck concept tractor. Let's start with him.
2016 Volvo SuperTruck
In 2010, the US Department of Energy launched an initiative aimed at reducing the fuel consumption of long haul tractors by 50%. Volvo SuperTruck is a long-range tractor of the future, stuffed with all sorts of gadgets, thanks to which fuel consumption has been reduced by 70% compared to modern American road trains.
More specifically, Volvo claims that the fuel consumption of an 18-wheel road train can be reduced from the usual 40 liters to 23-25 l/100 km! This was achieved thanks to the optimization of aerodynamics (for example, the drag coefficient decreased by 40%), the use of an aluminum frame, which reduced the weight of the car by 1350 kg, the installation of a less powerful D11 engine instead of the D13, and other similar trifles. The result is a 70% reduction in fuel consumption and an 88% increase in freight efficiency!
2015 Freightliner Inspiration Truck
A year earlier, Daimler showed its vision for the American truck of the future - the Freightliner Inspiration Truck. This road train was the first autonomous truck to be officially approved for use on public roads in Nevada. Prior to this, only passenger cars received such licenses. Freightliner Inspiration Truck uses the unique Highway Pilot system for autonomous driving, which was developed by Daimler for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.
As soon as the Freightliner Inspiration Truck enters the highway, the driver can activate the autonomous driving system. It regulates the speed and also controls the brakes and steering. At the same time, the road train complies with the speed limits on the route, maintains a specified distance to the vehicle in front, and also uses the stop-and-go function to move in traffic jams.
2015 Freightliner SuperTruck
As part of the American program to improve the efficiency of transport of the US Department of Energy, which we wrote about above, Freightliner showed another concept tractor - the Freightliner SuperTruck. Its development took about 5 years. The concept received a streamlined aerodynamic body with a strongly inclined windshield, rounded corners (including the semi-trailer), partially closed wheels, closing grille shutters.
In order to reduce the mass of the road train, the chassis was lightened, Michelin tires with reduced rolling resistance were used instead of the usual ones, and hot exhaust gases and solar panels on the roof of the trailer became additional sources of energy. The truck is equipped with a specially modified 10.7-liter Detroit Diesel engine with a capacity of 390 hp. With. and automatic transmission. The result is a more than two-fold reduction in fuel consumption compared to the 2009 average. During a 500 km test drive with a full load, the Freightliner Supertruck consumed an average of 19.2 liters of fuel per 100 km of run.
2012 Freightliner Revolution Innovation Truck
Another promising Freightliner truck is the Revolution Innovation Truck concept developed by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) in collaboration with Toray Carbon Fibers America. The aim was to test the applicability of carbon fiber material for use in heavy road trains. The hood, roof fairing and rear of the concept cab are made from this material. The special structure of this multi-layer material significantly reduced the weight of all components, and its extraordinary strength made it possible to reduce the thickness of the stiffeners, which had a positive effect on cabin space. Thus, the external dimensions of the cab do not exceed the day cabs of modern trucks, but it is equipped with a full-fledged berth.
This concept uses the most modern ideas and solutions: LED headlights are much more durable, cameras are installed instead of rear-view mirrors, doors are devoid of handles (for the sake of improving aerodynamics) and open from a key fob, and the Detroit DD13 engine installed under the hood is the best in class in terms of fuel economy.
2013 Peterbilt SuperTruck
Peterbilt also joined the "arms race" and in 2013 showed its version of the super-truck. The Peterbilt SuperTruck is 54% more fuel efficient than standard road trains, according to the company. The truck received a highly efficient engine and an aerodynamic body kit on the tractor and semi-trailer. To further reduce fuel consumption, engineers used tires with reduced rolling resistance and a new system that "converts exhaust gases into energy that returns to the crankshaft," according to a press release.
2014 Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025
And what about in Europe? It's still tougher! In 2014, Daimler AG presented a completely reckless Future Truck 2025 concept road train capable of traveling in a fully autonomous mode. The highlight of the appearance lies in the original light-emitting diode (LED) backlight. When the tractor is driving in normal mode, controlled by the driver, the front panel and corners of the front bumper begin to glow white. In the case of driving on "autopilot", the color changes to blue, and pulsating to alert drivers around!
The machine is able to transmit information about its location, speed, braking, traffic situation, etc. to other road users - using the V2V and M21 network and WLAN technology using the standard G5 frequency. This allows not only to increase the safety of transportation, but also to speed up the delivery of goods - each tractor transmits information about the traffic situation along the chain. When the car moves on the road on "autopilot", the driver can take on other work - for example, be a part-time logistics manager, thereby increasing the profitability of transportation.
2016 Volvo Concept Truck
Volvo Trucks engineers have managed to reduce the fuel consumption of road trains by almost 30%. Their latest concept development shows in practice how this was achieved. First of all, the reduction in fuel consumption was influenced by the optimization of aerodynamics and the reduction in the weight of the road train. One of the key factors in reducing fuel consumption is the reduction of aerodynamic losses by more than 40%.
The Volvo Concept Truck has received completely new tires with reduced rolling friction. The semi-trailer weighs as much as 2 tons lighter than standard trailers, resulting in not only lower fuel consumption, but also increased payload. The transmission has also undergone a number of important upgrades.
2010 MAN Concept S
The design project of MAN was presented for the first time at the IAA 2010. The appearance of the truck tractor differs significantly from the cubic trucks currently produced. The MAN Concept S was shaped in a wind tunnel to achieve the lowest drag coefficient. Thanks to this alone, a road train with an aerodynamic trailer consumes 25% less fuel than a conventional 40-ton road train.
2010 IVECO Stralis Glider
Another rather not-so-new concept was introduced by IVECO in 2010. The Stralis Glider is a laboratory on wheels presented at the 63rd IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover. This project is the result of the study of nature, it offers a new concept for a high-performance and environmentally friendly car. A team of researchers and specialists drew inspiration from one of nature's most perfect creatures - the eagle. The Stralis Glider has 2 m2 of photovoltaic cells that generate up to 2 kW of energy.
2026 Bosch VisionX
In conclusion, a project by Bosch, the implementation of which is scheduled for 2026. The basis of the tractor of the future VisionX is the autonomous movement system. The company plans that the road trains will be assembled in a column, which will reduce the overall fuel consumption, since the head tractor creates a corridor in the oncoming air flow. In addition, the control of a group of cars is easier than when they move separately. Advanced hardware, numerous applications and services integrate the truck into the World Wide Web, allowing you to communicate with your own kind - receiving information about road works, traffic jams, weather and more is done in real time.
We didn't see the dinosaurs go extinct, but we'll see cars of the kind we're used to die out. Over the next few years, a real automotive revolution will happen. Get ready, the driver's seat is rocking under you too. We offer you a selection of the most impressive trucks and buses that can already replace the vehicles we are used to ...
No. 1. MERCEDES FUTURE TRUCKS 2025
Not so long ago, in Germany, Mercedes-Benz tested a prototype heavy truck Future Truck 2025 with autonomous control. At the same time, a video was released demonstrating its capabilities. Recall, Truck 2025 drove along the A14 autobahn (Magdeburg district) on an autopilot. On his way there were: traffic jams, road works, the need for rebuilding, in short - all the real conditions. And he did great with everything. It was recorded that the maximum speed of the “heavy car” on autonomous control was 85 km / h.
Now, in addition to the possibilities, the appearance of this truck of the future has also been declassified. And it is very impressive - a futuristic design, streamlined shapes and a lot of diodes are used in the bodywork, which serve not just for the sake of beauty - they notify traffic participants about the mode in which the truck is driving. For example, when the Highway Pilot is turned on, the external LEDs change from white to blue.
Can you imagine 5-10 years later truckers on such fashionable, advanced trucks? They will not have to work hard and they will be able to combine, for example, two jobs at a time - to be carriers and at the same time managers of the goods they are transporting. Yes, they are planning the appearance of a serial Future Truck, it is not difficult to guess from the name, in 2025. But Mercedes-Benz firmly believes that this will happen much sooner! After all, as the company notes, everything is ready, the tests are successful, why wait so long?! Of course, the lion's share of time will take obtaining various permits for the use of such vehicles with autopilot on public roads.
And, of course, the main feature of the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 will be the autonomous driving system. The video from the tests shows how the driver, satisfied with life, does not take a steam bath at all: he watches movies on a tablet, writes something, works, surfs the Internet, go, sits, but does not look at the road. For him, everything is done by adaptive cruise control systems, lane compliance, car-to-car information exchange (“from car to car”, radius of 500 m), as well as radars, cameras, sensors. The autopilot of this car works regardless of traffic congestion. The system itself selects the speed within acceptable limits and maintains a safe distance from other road users.
The car uses a system of scanning sensors that provide it with the necessary traffic information. The system helps to avoid accidental collisions with movable and immovable objects and, as a result, reduce the number of accidents caused by human error.
Now the big Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 flaunts at the IAA International Truck Show in Hannover. 
No. 2. WALMART ADVANCED TRUCKS
The world's largest American retailer Walmart has developed its own concept of a futuristic truck. The move is in response to a pressing need to improve the economy and efficiency of the means of transportation that the company uses to service its more than 10,000 stores in 27 countries. The new tractor, called the Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience (WAVE), has an unusual look, is made from lightweight materials and can run on a wide variety of fuels.
The WAVE cab has an elongated front end and an unusual shape, which significantly improves aerodynamics. The driver's seat is located exactly in the center of the cab, surrounded by LCD displays and monitors. The 16-meter trailer is made of carbon fiber, which makes it almost two tons lighter than traditional counterparts.
WAVE is equipped with a multi-fuel power plant and is capable of running on diesel, biodiesel and natural gas. In addition, the truck has its own set of batteries on board, on which the truck is able to travel about 100 kilometers. 
No. 3. Mercedes-Benz Future Bus
The Future Bus prototype was based on the platform used in the production buses of the Citaro family. The autonomous control system, called CityPilot, works with the help of many sensors, cameras, and a GPS module. See also: The Germans brought a convoy of Mercedes-Benz unmanned trucks for testing (Video) The developers noted that it is capable of driving a bus with an accuracy of up to a centimeter. She is able to recognize traffic lights and obstacles in her path, as well as independently stop at the places of embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. The maximum speed at which the autopilot can operate is 70 km/h. Mercedes-Benz Future Bus The Future Bus features futuristic seating, a large overhead information display, an innovative ticket reader and wireless smartphone chargers located in the luggage racks. The handrails, as conceived by the designers, should resemble trees in their shape. Mercedes-Benz Future Bus The salon is divided into three zones. The first is located behind the driver and is called "service". The second is located in the middle of the bus and is intended primarily for passengers traveling short distances. The third zone is located in the tail section and is a place to rest. 
No. 4. WILLIE TRANSPARENT LCD BUS
The idea to place all sorts of advertisements on public transport appeared and came to life a long time ago. The idea to use displays for this is also. And even body panels-displays will not surprise everyone, but no one has gone as far as designer Ted Orlovsky and his Willie concept
Orlovsky imagined something like the bus of the future, almost entirely composed of translucent screens. As conceived by the author, they should show passengers at stops information about the route and everything else, and while driving they should distract everyone with countless commercials. Well, almost so... 
No. 5. FREIGHTLINER INSPIRATION TRUCKS
Freightliner Inspiration is the latest solution of the best designers and engineers from Freightliner Trucks, a modern tractor equipped with the Highway Pilot autopilot from the largest truck manufacturer in the USA.
When designing Freightliner Inspiration, the designers faced the difficult task of creating a truck of the future with an emphasis on technical equipment, the latest technology, high driver comfort and environmental friendliness.
The presentation of the novelty took place in 2015 on the wall of the Hoover Dam, where the manufacturing company staged a light show under the cover of night. In the same year, the new Inspiration Truck was licensed, becoming the first self-driving truck in the US to be suitable for use on public roads.
Freightliner Inspiration is based on a 6x4 chassis, the truck has its own interior, a wide range of original engines and gearboxes. We change the appearance, it is possible to change the radiator grilles, inserts in the bumper, tint the windows in different colors, change the exhaust pipes, install a bullbar and make other tuning. 
No. 6. TRANSIT ELEVATED BUS (TEB)
Chinese engineers have created the public transport of the future, which will travel over the highway, and in fact will not pollute the environment. The new train-bus is not only "green" and comfortable, but also very economical.
Urbanization is a phenomenon for many countries in the XXI century has become a real problem. Large cities, especially the capitals of states, financial and business centers of various kinds, naturally attract people. All this leads to increased growth of cities and, as a result, their further overpopulation. Overpopulation of cities, in turn, adversely affects the operation of local infrastructure and the environment. All these problems are relevant for China as well.
One of the biggest problems of any major city today is traffic jams and congestion, and the Chinese have experienced this like no other. Worst of all, the excessive load on the infrastructure makes it impossible to move public and special transport. The Chinese company Transit Explore Bus solved this problem by presenting its new public transport project at the Beijing International High-Tech Exhibition.
The concept was called Elevated Transit and, in fact, is a vehicle that must travel over the highway on special rails. A key feature of the innovative transport system is that, occupying two conventional lanes of the road, the new bus leaves room for cars to move under it. Cars no higher than 2 meters will be able to drive under the train-bus.
It is assumed that Elevated Transit will not disrupt the operation of public transport in the event of traffic congestion. The developed train will move at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour. He will be able to take on board up to 1,400 people. Elevated Transit will stop at specially equipped stopping points. The creators also promise that their offspring will be quite environmentally friendly and will reduce the burden on the environment.
One train of the new transport system will be able to replace about 40 modern buses used in the cities of China. At the same time, the “over the road” train will save 800 tons of fuel per year and save the atmosphere of cities from the potential emission of 2,480 tons of carbon dioxide. 
No. 7. IVECO Z TRUCK
VECO Z Truck can rightly be called a revolutionary truck. The machine has 29 patented solutions. The concept runs on biomethane and can travel up to 2200 km without refueling. In addition, the tractor has improved aerodynamics and a convertible cab. But first things first. The advanced semi-trailer allows for a 33% reduction in fuel consumption and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. IVECO Z Truck is equipped with a new generation engine that runs on biomethane.
The engine develops 460 hp. and a maximum torque of 2000 Nm. It is paired with an automated 16-speed Powershift gearbox. The powertrain uses PETRONAS Urania low viscosity engine oil, which also contributes to lower fuel consumption and cleaner emissions. Michelin X Line Energy Tires The IVECO Z Truck is equipped with innovative tires with low rolling resistance - Michelin X Line Energy, which save up to 1 liter of fuel per 100 km. Tires are equipped with special RFID sensors that can check them for various parameters: wear, temperature, pressure. The car also boasts innovative fuel tanks developed by SAG. They are made of aluminum, insulated according to the MLI (Multi Layer Insulation) system, with multilayer foil, which protects them from high temperatures. Two tanks have a total capacity of 1200 liters, which provides a cruising range of 2200 km. This is 60% more than the production IVECO Stralis NP natural gas truck and even more than its diesel counterpart.
The on-board Rankine Cycle Waste Heat Recovery system uses exhaust gas as a thermal energy source, which also reduces fuel consumption. The IVECO Z Truck, designed by the CNH Industrial Design Center, shows what the mainline truck of the near future might look like. This applies both to improving aerodynamics, increasing the level of safety, and creating a fundamentally new living space in the cabin. IVECO Z Truck 1 of 4 Driving Cab Layout Recreational Cab Layout Automated driving will dramatically change the role of the driver, who will spend less time behind the wheel and more time doing office work and leisure.
IVECO Z Truck allows you to transform the cab at your discretion, making your stay in it as comfortable as possible: in city traffic, on the highway or in autonomous driving mode on the freeways. In the parking lot, the rear wall of the cab can be moved back by 500 mm. This allows you to increase the usable area and use the amenities: a wide bed, a kitchen unit, a shower, as well as a multimedia unit. A special HMI (Human Machine Interface) interface allows the driver to constantly monitor the main systems of the truck. All information is displayed on the smart windshield. While driving, it is less distracting from control and increases safety. Let's hope that a large part of IVECO Z Truck's know-how will find application on serial mainline tractors in the coming years.
No. 8. NAVYA ARMA MINIBUS
In the historic district of the city of Sion, the SmartShuttle project was launched in test mode. PostBus, one of Switzerland's leading bus operators, has received approval from the Federal Road Administration (FEDRO) to bring two Arma electric minibuses, made by the French company Navya, to the streets. The car can accommodate 15 passengers (four standing places), but at first it was decided not to carry more than nine people, and the maximum speed (45 km / h) was forcibly limited to 20 km / h. Although the Arma is completely autonomous, there is always a “safety driver” in the cabin, in which case he is ready to pull the stopcock, and the rest of the time he helps people when getting on / off. In addition, the shuttle is controlled remotely, there is an alarm button. Travel is free.
So far, the only model of the Navya brand, whose creation took 10 years, was first presented to the public in October last year. Since then, she has run 10,000 km in tests and transported 25,000 people. Machine length - 4750 mm, width - 2050, height - 2550, ground clearance - 200 mm. Curb weight - 2100–2350 kg, full weight - 3150–3400.
Arma is equipped with lidar, a stereo camera, a bunch of other sensors, a GPS transceiver and, not least, air conditioning. Just in case, the shuttle has a backup battery.
The electric motor produces 15–25 kW (20–34 hp). The mono-drive drone is powered by a 33 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. The range is measured in hours of operation (5-8 hours, depending on conditions), induction charging takes 5-12 hours. The goal of the SmartShuttle project is to replace traditional buses with autonomous electric cars. Testing will continue until October 2017. The Germans have already become interested in Navya products, so tests in Germany are on the horizon. Recall that the other day we talked about a similar car Local Motors Olli, which entered the public roads in Washington. Experts believe that electric cars without a driver are primarily in demand in the field of public transport, therefore, information about similar experiments will come more and more often. 
