LiveOnWeb Video: The Technology Factor, With Daimler's Derek Rotz

"I like to think of the driver as the captain of their own ship, so to speak. There's some automated low-level features, but then as captain, the driver is having to make sure that all of the systems are in place, all of the pre-trip inspections are taking place, the cargo is secure, all those things that make sure the cargo arrives safely and on time." — Derek Rotz

As Director, Advanced Engineering for Daimler Trucks North America, Derek Rotz is playing an integral role in the evolution of trucks that are more efficient and more capable of assisting the driver. But as he points out, even in autonomous trucks, the driver still is vital.

In this LiveOnWeb video segment with Transport Topics Editorial Director Neil Abt, Rotz discusses:

• What went into building Daimler's SuperTruck

• Daimler's vision to achieve accident-free driving

• The most common reactions and questions to Freightliner's Inspiration Truck

The Rotz interview was featured in Part II of our LiveOnWeb series on The Future of Trucking: The Techology Factor.

Other interviews that are part of this LiveOnWeb that can be viewed as individual clips are:

• McLeod Software President and CEO Tom McLeod, discussing the evolution of transportation management software.

• Freight safety experts from a technology panel at the 2015 Management Conference & Exhibition, who talked about lessons that trucking can learn from the airline industry regarding autonomous piloting, and strategies for successfully implementing advanced software tools across their fleets.

The program is a follow-up to Part I of our series, which showcased The Next Generation of Leaders.