Science fiction in the cab? How the Actros impresses driver Daniel Lungo

Vehicle & Technology

People and machines.

Daniel Lungo drives an Actros 1848 and benefits from its modern safety systems.


When Daniel stood in front of a new Actros for the first time, he thought something was missing. “The mirrors! Where are the mirrors?” he remembers. Over time, he got more and more used to the vehicle – surprise turned into esteem.

Since the company Rodolfo y Ventura, located in Valencia, entrusted him with an elegant Actros 1848, Daniel’s life has changed. “The new Actros is an eye-catcher,” he says. “But what’s really amazing is the technology that is built into the vehicle.”

The Romanian driver, who has lived in Spain for 20 years, mainly transports material for the production of colours and paints. He usually loads it in Castellón or in the harbour of Sagunto (Valencia) and often transports it to Belgium or Italy.



Demand is particularly high for calcium carbonate, which is used by the ceramics industry for the production of varnish. Castellón is one of the largest production locations in the global ceramics industry.

Daniel starts the truck at the company headquarters in Soneja (Castellón) and takes the regional road CV-2210. The advantages of Predictive Powertrain Control are already evident: “The system does not just save fuel, it automatically adjusts the driving style to the road conditions,” he explains.

Daniel can remember having read an article a few years ago about the internet of things being used in trucks. “It looked like science fiction. I thought such a thing was not possible to achieve in such a short time,” he says, while moving the index finger of his right hand across the display in order to activate Active Drive Assist. “Many people cannot believe that the new Actros enables partially automated driving at any speed,” he says. “And I don’t blame them!” The best thing is to see for yourself.”


“Where are the mirrors?” wonders Daniel Lugo when he first encounters the new Actros. The driver quickly got used to the MirrorCam.


Less stress.

Daniel can now not only drive more safely, but also with less stress. And at the end of the working day, he is not as tired. “To know that the system is able to brake, accelerate and steer with a considerable measure of autonomy, creates a great deal of trust,” he says. Five years ago, Daniel specialised in international transport. “On many days, I am not at home. It is undeniable that being on the road for so many hours carries a risk,” he admits. “But since I have been driving a new Actros, my wife has been sleeping better.”

Nevertheless, it is important to Daniel that the permitted level of autonomous driving still requires the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel, meaning the driver still has responsibility. “The goal of this technology is to help people, and not to dispense with them,” he says. “With the new Actros, the symbiosis between man and machine is simply perfect,” he concludes.


Photos: Begoña Tremps

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