Daimler Gets Nevada License For 2 Autonomous Freight Trucks

Daimler AG (OTC: DDAIF) became the world's first manufacturer to be granted a road license for self-driving truck Tuesday.

But it will be about 10 years before the technology becomes commercially available in freight-hauling trucks.

"It remains our goal to be in a position to offer the vehicles from the middle of the coming decade," Martin Daum, chief executive of Daimler Trucks North America said.

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and Daimler board member Wolfgang Bernhard took a spin in the autonomously driven Daimler Freightliner on a highway across the Hoover Dam near Las Vegas Tuesday.

Nevada has certified two Freightliner Inspiration Trucks for regular operations on public roads.

The trucks, which do require a driver for operation, are safer and offer greater fuel economy than traditional vehicles, according to Daimler.

A study of 16 drivers using the technology while hooked to electrocardiogram measuring devices found a 25 percent reduction in drowsiness, according to Daimler.

"This not least translates into more safety for all road users," Daimler said.