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Weekly Recap: Autonomous driving goes commercial in Nevada

Nevada granted Daimler Trucks North America the first license to run an autonomous commercial vehicle on public roads in the United States Tuesday, marking another milestone in the technology's rapid advancement. Gov. Brian Sandoval and Daimler truck chief Wolfgang Bernhard promptly used the license to lap Highway 15 near Las Vegas in a newly revealed Freightliner Inspiration Truck. It was a clear signal that autonomous driving is big-rig reality, though it's still a long way from widespread use. Nevada certified two of Daimler's Freightliner Inspiration Trucks, which use the company's Highway Pilot system with a stereo camera, radar, and lane-keeping collision-prevention features to regulate the brakes and steering. The radar component has a long-range sensor that can cover 820 feet at an 18-degree angle and a shorter-range unit that stretches 230 feet at a 130-degree angle. The Inspiration trucks are based on the existing Freightliner Cascadia Evolution model used on US roads. In addition to the autonomous technologies, it also has futuristic design cues, including blue lighting in the front and a new hood and grille. While there are only two Freightliner Inspiration trucks in existence, Daimler expects to bring the Highway Pilot system into mass-produced big rigs by 2025, in time to capitalize on the market's predicted growth. The German truckmaker predicts the global hauling market will triple by 2050, and the United States will be a key part of that growth. Trucks carry 69.1 percent the nation's domestic freight tonnage and hauled 9.7 billion tons of freight in 2013, according to the American Trucking Association. Daimler expects autonomous driving to augment this growth, and perhaps evolve the role of the truck driver. Still, the company points out autonomous tech is not meant to replace drivers, but to assist them and relieve fatigue and monotony on long hauls. The driver has to stay in control for passing, in city traffic, and when hooking up the trailer. The company said autonomous driving also offers the potential for improved fuel economy – tests showed a five-percent gain – and lower maintenance costs. Daimler also said the technology could reduce congestion on the road. Much of this is attributable to the constant flow of traffic, which is aided by autonomous driving. While the benefits are becoming increasingly apparent, autonomous technology is still met with skepticism.

Ferrari, Mercedes selling cars with faulty Takata airbags

According to the US Senate, a small group of automakers are still selling new cars with faulty Takata airbags. Automotive News reports that Ferrari's entire lineup and various Mercedes-Benz vehicles come with faulty airbags and are subject to being recalled by the end of 2018. US Senator Bill Nelson, (D-FL), claims the affected Ferrari models include: the 2016 to 2017 FF, California T, F12 Berlinetta, F12 TdF, 488 GTB, 488 Spider, and GTC4 Lusso. Mercedes-Benz is also in the mix with the 2016 Sprinter and 2016 to 2017 E-Class Coupe and Convertible. Automotive News reports that both Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz will require its dealers to notify buyers of a recall in the vehicles' future. The National Highway traffic Safety Administration claims the vehicles are legal to be sold, as the airbags are safe until exposed to high humidity for a significant period of time. With the majority of Ferrari drivers storing their vehicles in temperature-controlled garages, this shouldn't be troubling news. What is troubling, however, is that seven out of 17 automakers that Senator Nelson contacted admitted to putting defective Takata airbags into its new cars. Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Toyota are a few automakers that still use Takata's faulty airbags. All have agreed to notify buyers of future recalls. Related Video: News Source: Automotive News-sub.req.Image Credit: Copyright 2015 Lorenzo Marcinno / AOL Government/Legal Recalls Ferrari Mercedes-Benz ferrari ff ferrari f12 berlinetta ferrari 488 gtb ferrari california t ferrari f12 tdf ferrari 488 spider ferrari gtc4 lusso

On Location at Mercedes-Benz Van Camp in the Rocky Mountains

Camping high in the Rocky Mountains as spring gave way to summer may not seem like the obvious way to test out a work van, but that's how we sampled the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris. Our drive was based in Dunton Hot Springs and Cresto Ranch, CO, nestled high in the Rocky Mountains. Both were gorgeous and dripping with history. Since their rough-hewn origins they've been converted into an upscale camping experience. We spent a couple nights in Cresto Ranch, an old cattle outpost near the Dolores River. Our 'tent' was lavishly furnished, complete with a shower, desk, and comfortable bed. Glamor camping is in vogue, and this was 'glamping' at its finest. Most of the Mercedes activities started at Dunton Hot Springs, a former mining town with tents and log cabins remade into an even larger-scale glamping site than Cresto Ranch. The hot springs beckoned, but glampers could also enjoy massages or just soak in the soaring forests surrounding the site. The only downside: With an elevation around 8,700 feet above sea level, we found ourselves occasionally light-headed. It was a fun couple of days in the Rockies, on the road and at the campsite. Watch the video above for the complete experience, and read the review here.