• The new Active Cross Traffic Assist can detect fast-moving vehicles and motorcycles crossing the vehicle’s path and, if a collision risk is identified, initiate a braking cascade up to and including an automated full braking maneuver.
• Active Sideguard Assist 3 completes active turning assistance on both sides of the vehicle and can support drivers when turning and changing lanes to the right and left. New functions include support in detecting rapidly approaching oncoming traffic when turning.
• The enhanced Active Drive Assist 3 supports level 2 partially automated driving in the Actros and now includes, among other features, a quick deactivation function for steering assistance systems.
• The camera-based Attention Assist 2 can detect signs of distraction and fatigue and warn drivers visually and acoustically. A new feature is the additional detection of signs of possible microsleep, exceeding regulatory requirements.
• “Safety is often decided in a matter of seconds. That is why we look at the road first and only then at sensors and algorithms: Where are truck and touring coach drivers particularly challenged? And how can technology identify risks early and provide targeted support precisely in those situations? These questions are the starting point for our assistance systems,” says Mustafa Üstertuna, Chief Engineer for Software & Electronics Development.

Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Hanover – Daimler Truck is presenting new and enhanced safety assistance systems for trucks and touring coaches at IAA Transportation 2026. The focus is on two major innovations: the new Active Cross Traffic Assist and Active Sideguard Assist 3. Active Cross Traffic Assist can support drivers in collision-risk situations involving fast-crossing vehicles and motorcycles. Active Sideguard Assist 3 completes active turning assistance on both sides of the vehicle and, for the first time, also supports the detection of rapidly approaching oncoming traffic when turning across the driver’s side. In the event of an acute collision risk, both systems can provide support through warnings and automated braking interventions. Active Cross Traffic Assist and Active Sideguard Assist 3 will be available from April 2027 for all Mercedes-Benz Actros and Arocs, as well as Mercedes-Benz and Setra touring coaches. Active Drive Assist 3 will initially be available for the Actros.

Intersection and turning situations place particularly high demands on perception, attention, and vehicle control in commercial vehicle operations. Findings from the company’s own accident research and analyses of real-world traffic situations show that high-speed crossing traffic, complex visibility conditions, and road users in the vehicle’s immediate surroundings are among the key factors contributing to critical situations. Against this background, Daimler Truck develops assistance systems designed to provide targeted driver support within their respective system limits. Responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle always remains entirely with the driver.

In addition to the two new systems, the portfolio also includes enhancements to existing assistance systems. Active Drive Assist 3 for the Mercedes-Benz Actros receives additional features for personalization, operating convenience, and lane guidance. With Attention Assist 2, Daimler Truck is also introducing camera-based detection of signs of distraction, fatigue, and possible microsleep.¹

The new and enhanced systems are being developed for various applications in freight and passenger transportation. Depending on the system and vehicle configuration, they can support truck and touring coach drivers within their respective system limits through warnings, automated braking, or driver assistance functions.¹

“Safety is often decided in a matter of seconds. That is why we look at the road first and only then at sensors and algorithms: Where are truck and touring coach drivers particularly challenged? And how can technology identify risks early and provide targeted support precisely in those situations? These questions are the starting point for our assistance systems. Active Cross Traffic Assist and Active Sideguard Assist 3 are our answer these questions. They reflect our commitment to carefully analyzing real-world traffic situations and developing assistance functions for trucks and touring coaches based on those findings. People remain at the center of our approach and retain full responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle,” says Mustafa Üstertuna, Chief Engineer for Software & Electronics Development.

Active Cross Traffic Assist and Active Sideguard Assist 3 will be available for all Mercedes-Benz Actros and Arocs as well as Mercedes-Benz and Setra touring coaches. Active Drive Assist 3 will be available for the Actros.

Active Cross Traffic Assist: Support in Fast-crossing Traffic Situations

Active Cross Traffic Assist is a new assistance system for trucks and touring coaches. It was developed for traffic situations in which fast-moving vehicles or motorcycles approach from the side and cross the vehicle’s path. In such intersection scenarios, the system can support drivers when it detects a collision risk.

The system uses a 270-degree sensor fusion consisting of long-range radar, a multifunction camera, and short-range radar sensors. Within its detection range, it can identify vehicles and motorcycles approaching the truck or touring coach from the right or left and crossing its path.

Active Cross Traffic Assist can detect crossing vehicles and motorcycles traveling at speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph). If the system identifies an impending collision, it initially alerts the driver with side-specific visual and acoustic warnings. At the same time, it can initiate partial braking. If the driver does not react and the collision risk remains, Active Cross Traffic Assist can trigger an automated full braking maneuver. Depending on how the traffic situation develops, the system can either release the braking intervention again or decelerate the vehicle to a complete stop. Drivers can override the system response at any time. Any initiated braking maneuver can be canceled by pressing the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point, known as kick-down.² The system addresses a traffic situation that can be particularly challenging for truck and coach drivers, especially at intersections.

Active Sideguard Assist 3: New Support When Turning Across the Driver’s Side

Active Sideguard Assist 3 completes active turning assistance on both sides of the vehicle. Its key innovation is a new function for turns across the driver’s side. For the first time, the system can also detect oncoming vehicles traveling at speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) across multiple lanes and support drivers in critical situations. ³  

If the system detects a potential collision risk with oncoming traffic while turning across the driver’s side, it can provide visual and acoustic warnings at vehicle speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph). If the driver does not react and the collision risk continues to be detected, the system can initiate braking at vehicle speeds between 0 and 20 km/h (0-12 mph).⁴

The system is based on a sensor fusion comprising six radar sensors and a multifunction camera. It monitors defined areas alongside and ahead of the vehicle and, in the case of vehicle combinations, along an attached semitrailer or trailer. In addition, Active Sideguard Assist 3 continues to support drivers when turning across the passenger side and when changing lanes to the left or right. Depending on the driving situation, the system can warn drivers, support braking interventions when required, or, in combination with corresponding lane guidance functions, provide active steering support to help keep the vehicle in its lane.⁵

Active Drive Assist 3: Greater Personalization and Simplified Operation for Partially Automated Driving

Active Drive Assist 3 is the next stage in the development of partially automated driving. As a level 2 system, it supports drivers in both longitudinal and lateral vehicle control. New features include a quick deactivation function for steering assistance systems via a steering wheel button, as well as the ability to store individual settings for Active Drive Assist and Active Brake Assist. The vehicle can save preferred settings for up to six driver cards and automatically apply them when a recognized driver card is inserted. Predefined default settings apply to unrecognized drivers.

Active Drive Assist 3 can automatically brake and accelerate, maintain a preset distance from the vehicle ahead, and assist with starting and stopping in stop-and-go traffic. If the vehicle remains stationary for less than two seconds it can move off again without the driver pressing the accelerator pedal. After longer stops, drivers can restart the vehicle by briefly tapping the accelerator pedal or using the resume button.⁶

When the system is activated, the vehicle can be guided within a detected lane. The electrically assisted steering system can compensate for influences such as gentle curves, road surface irregularities, or crosswinds and help position the vehicle within the lane. Drivers can select their preferred lane position in three levels.

If the vehicle is at risk of unintentionally leaving its lane, the enhanced active lane return function can intervene before a warning is issued by the lane keeping assist system, helping guide the vehicle back into the lane earlier and more smoothly. The new quick deactivation function for steering assistance systems also enables direct deactivation via the steering wheel, for example in construction zones with complex or ambiguous lane markings. With this feature, Mercedes-Benz Trucks addresses a frequently expressed customer request.⁶

Interaction with Active Sideguard Assist 3

During lane changes, Active Drive Assist 3 works together with Active Sideguard Assist 3. If, after the turn signal is activated, the system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, it provides visual and acoustic warnings to the driver.

If the Actros nevertheless crosses the lane marking and the system detects a collision risk, it can apply an overrideable countersteering torque. This can support the driver in returning the vehicle to its original lane.⁵

The functionality of Active Drive Assist 3 also includes the hands-off warning cascade and the emergency stop function. If the system detects no steering wheel contact over an extended period, it can decelerate the vehicle in a controlled manner to a standstill within its system limits.⁷

Attention Assist 2: Camera-based Detection of Distraction and Fatigue

Inattention, fatigue, and possible microsleep are among the relevant risk factors in road traffic. The camera-based Attention Assist 2 complies with the requirements of General Safety Regulation Phase C and can detect signs of distraction and fatigue. A new feature is the additional detection of signs of possible microsleep, which goes beyond regulatory requirements. For this purpose, an infrared camera evaluates factors including head position, gaze direction, eyelid closure, and eye-opening angle. If the system identifies corresponding signs, it can provide visual and acoustic warnings to the driver.⁸

The camera system operates as a closed system. It neither stores nor transmits camera recordings, but processes only derived parameters such as gaze direction, eye opening, or head position. The data required for assessment is retained only for a limited period and is subsequently deleted.⁸

Validation from Simulation to Public Roads

The development and validation of the new assistance systems are based on a multi-stage validation process. Daimler Truck tests Active Cross Traffic Assist and Active Sideguard Assist 3 according to the principle of “simulation - proving ground - road.”

In simulation, developers vary relevant parameters such as vehicle speed, target classification, intersection angle, road friction, payload, and vehicle variant. This makes it possible to identify critical edge cases and reduce the number of real-world tests required.

On the proving ground, the development team recreates selected intersection and turning scenarios involving motorcycles or other vehicles. Validation also includes selected scenarios from the current NCAP test catalog relevant to passenger cars, as well as visibility obstructions caused by parked vehicles or guardrails.

Steering and pedal robots, soft targets, and reference measurement technology ensure a high degree of repeatability. The results of proving ground tests are used to validate the simulation models.

Evaluation under Real-world Traffic Conditions

No limit-testing scenarios are conducted on public roads. These test drives are used to evaluate robustness against potential false warnings, the human-machine interface, driver acceptance, behavior at real-world intersection layouts, and fault and sensor stability. The data collected also serves as a basis for further simulation analyses.

For Active Cross Traffic Assist, the validation program covers vehicle speeds ranging from 10 to 80 km/h and intersection angles of 60, 90, and 120 degrees.

For the driver-side turning function of Active Sideguard Assist 3, testing covers vehicle speeds ranging from 10 to 40 km/h. The evaluated scenarios include oncoming vehicles traveling in the direct lane as well as adjacent lanes at speeds of up to 100 km/h.

To validate the systems, Daimler Truck completed approximately six million test kilometers worldwide. Testing covered a wide range of traffic situations, vehicle and body variants, as well as various operating conditions.

Application for Touring Coaches

Active Cross Traffic Assist and Active Sideguard Assist 3 will be available for all Mercedes-Benz Actros and Arocs as well as for touring coaches. The described detection, warning, and braking functions generally apply to both vehicle categories.

For touring coach applications, Daimler Buses takes into account the vehicle-specific requirements of coach operations. These include factors such as vehicle geometry, driving behavior, and requirements relating to passengers.

The Four Systems in One Sentence Each

Active Cross Traffic Assist: can detect fast-crossing vehicles and motorcycles and initiate a braking cascade, up to and including an automated full braking maneuver, when a collision risk is detected.

Active Sideguard Assist 3: supports turning and lane-changing maneuvers on both sides of the vehicle and, in defined situations, can provide warnings, automated braking, or, in combination with Active Drive Assist 3, support through an overrideable steering intervention.

Active Drive Assist 3: supports drivers within its system limits with distance control, speed control, and lane guidance and can automatically decelerate and secure the vehicle to a standstill if the driver fails to respond to the hands-off warning cascade.

Attention Assist 2: can use camera-based monitoring to detect signs of distraction, fatigue, or possible microsleep and warn drivers without storing or transmitting camera recordings.

_Footnotes

_{¹ General system and availability notice: safety assistance systems can support drivers within their respective system limits. Responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle remains entirely with the driver at all times. functionality and availability may vary depending on vehicle model, equipment specification, market, and start of production. The applicable product information and the vehicle operator’s manual are authoritative.}

_{² Active Cross Traffic Assist: weather conditions, visibility, road layout, tight curve radii, and sensor areas that are dirty, damaged, obstructed, or not fully visible may affect detection performance. The system may not respond to objects outside the defined lateral detection areas, certain slow-moving objects, or animals. Detecting an object at a given speed does not mean that the system can provide timely warnings or braking interventions under all conditions.}

_{³ Active Sideguard Assist 3: available warning and braking support depends on the specific subfunction, vehicle speed, detected traffic situation, and system limits. obstructions, object position and direction of movement, weather and visibility conditions, as well as sensor-related limitations, may affect detection performance. The system does not detect all persons or objects under all conditions.}

_{⁴ Turning across the driver’s side: the detection of oncoming vehicles traveling at speeds of up to 120 km/h and the potential braking intervention at vehicle speeds between 0 and 20 km/h describe different operating parameters. No general conclusion can be drawn regarding the avoidability of a collision.}

_{⁵ Lane change support: a steering intervention is provided only in appropriately equipped vehicles and in conjunction with an active lane guidance function. It does not perform an automated lane change. drivers must continuously monitor traffic conditions and the vehicle’s surroundings and remain responsible for safely carrying out the driving maneuver.}

_{⁶ Active Drive Assist 3: Active Drive Assist 3 is a level 2 system. drivers must continuously monitor traffic conditions, remain ready to take over vehicle control, and keep their hands on the steering wheel. Among other requirements, lateral guidance support depends on the system detecting the lane and relevant lane markings. the system is initially available for the Actros.}

_{⁷ Emergency stop function: the emergency stop function does not detect a medical emergency and does not assess the driver’s health condition. It is triggered solely by a lack of driver response during the hands-off warning cascade.}

_{⁸ Attention Assist 2: the system does not provide a medical diagnosis and does not definitively determine fatigue, distraction, or a medical condition. A warning does not necessarily mean that the driver is actually fatigued or distracted. The absence of a warning does not mean that the driver is attentive or fit to drive. Attention Assist 2 does not replace the driver’s own assessment of fitness to drive or compliance with legally required driving and rest periods.}