Designwerk e-truck put to the test: AEBS meets the highest safety requirements

October 3, 2024 – When seconds make the difference: At the DTC Dynamic Test Center AG open day, visitors had the unique opportunity to experience the impressive functionality of the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) of our Designwerk e-trucks live. As part of the DTC’s 30th anniversary celebrations, visitors were shown how advanced safety technologies are tested under real-life conditions. Tobias Koch, our expert for vehicle homologation, coordinated the participation and explained the background to the demonstration.

Safety on the road is a key factor, especially for commercial vehicles such as trucks. AEBS plays a crucial role in preventing collisions or reducing their consequences. Visitors on the day had the rare opportunity to see this technology live in action – an experience that usually takes place behind closed doors. While the tests are normally part of the strict vehicle homologation requirements, the aim of the day was to bring the complexity of these tests to a wider audience. “We usually have such tests carried out by the DTC as part of the homologation process,” explains Koch. “Today, however, we wanted to show a wider audience just how complex these tests are.”

Safe braking without compromise

The demonstrated test showed an AEBS in an all-electric Designwerk MID CAB Semi Lowliner 4x2T. The aim of the system is to reduce the vehicle speed by at least 20 km/h during emergency braking and to react to a suddenly appearing obstacle. At an initial speed of 30 km/h, the system detected the obstacle and braked the vehicle precisely – without skidding or swerving, bringing it to a halt in time before a collision. “It was impressive to see how the system reacted and braked the vehicle safely without losing control,” reports Koch. “In this case, the collision was even avoided completely.” A further demonstration at an initial speed of 60 km/h confirms that the technology meets the demanding safety standards. In this test, the obstacle was only lightly touched by the AEBS.

Focus on innovative braking technology

Such systems are essential for road safety, especially for heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks. “Safety is the most important issue for truck drivers,” emphasizes Koch. “It is particularly important to emphasize that e-trucks meet the same high safety standards as their diesel counterparts.” Overall, the event offered fascinating insights into current technologies and impressively demonstrated how advanced safety systems are making the future of mobility safer and more efficient.