Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

ZF to Provide Level 4 Autonomous Tech to Major Truck OEM by 2025

At CES in Las Vegas, ZF announced that it will be providing a major truck OEM with production-ready, Level 4 autonomous control systems in either 2024 or 2025.

January 7, 2020
ZF to Provide Level 4 Autonomous Tech to Major Truck OEM by 2025

ZF CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider speaks to the press during CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

Photo: ZF

2 min to read


At CES, the huge, annual, electronics show in Las Vegas, ZF announced a host of technological advances, including a confirmation that the German automotive systems supplier will be providing an “international commercial vehicle manufacturer” sometime in the 2024-2025 timeframe.

Depending on the application, the market demands different autonomous solutions for different types of vehicles, Wolf-Henning Scheider, CEO of ZF, told attendees at a press briefing during the how. For the time being, Scheider said, intelligent assistance functions, so-called Level 2+ systems, have the greatest potential for passenger cars. In contrast, fully automated systems of level 4 and higher will likely become established in commercial vehicles and urban passenger transport. He noted that these trends are being proven out by new orders which ZF has received from car and commercial vehicle manufacturers.

Ad Loading...

"In the case of commercial vehicles, we are already seeing strong demand for systems that make fully automated driving to Level 4 and higher possible," Scheider said. “While the use of fully automated passenger cars in public transport still depends on regulations, commercial vehicles can already operate in highly automated modes within closed areas or defined lanes. In addition, driverless transport at depots or in urban passenger transport offers savings potential that leads to a rapid amortization of system costs.”

In addition, Scheider said, based on the ZF ProAI supercomputer, ZF is currently developing the electronic control unit (ECU) for a Level 4 system for an international commercial vehicle manufacturer. The market launch is scheduled for in either 2024 or 2025.

ZF is also setting the course for faster and more comprehensive software development, Scheider announced.

Ad Loading...

Together with Microsoft, ZF plans to adapt the speed and quality of its processes, methods, and solutions in software engineering to the level of major IT companies. This change will enable ZF to use its global resources more efficiently and to more effectively respond to customer needs. In its cooperation with Microsoft, ZF uses Azure Cloud services and developer tools as well as Microsoft's experience in agile software development. In the future, ZF will also be a supplier of pure software products in the automotive market.

"The mobility industry continues to undergo major changes, Scheider said. “This is the reason why ZF, too, must continue to change, develop and drive transformation: We have to be able to convince our customers with innovations that offer them – and ultimately the end consumers – added value. And in the future, this will increasingly include software products and services.”

More Equipment

Waabi-Volvo autonomous VNL truck.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 26, 2026

Waabi, Volvo Claim Breakthrough in Scaling Autonomous Trucking

Waabi says its AI-powered virtual driver successfully transferred to Volvo Autonomous Solutions' Volvo VNL Autonomous platform without retraining or additional data, a milestone the companies say could dramatically accelerate commercialization of autonomous trucks.

Read More →
2026 Mack Pioneer
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 25, 2026

Why the Mack Pioneer Signals a New Era in Class 8 Truck Design

After a public-road drive through eastern Pennsylvania, one thing became clear: Mack's new Pioneer isn't simply packed with technology -- it's been engineered around the driver in ways that could redefine long-haul trucking.

Read More →
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie on Mack Defense order.
EquipmentJune 23, 2026

Mack Defense Secures $47 Million to Continue Military Dump Truck Production

President Trump visited Mack Defense’s Macungie, Pennsylvania, facility on June 23 to tout a $47 million Heavy Dump Truck order.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mack Truck Museum, Allentown, PA.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 23, 2026

New (Antique) Trucks Take the Spotlight at the Mack Trucks Museum

The Mack Trucks Historical Museum has a slate of new historic vehicles on display this year.

Read More →
Illustration of toy truck on top of 100-dollar bills, with logos for Wex and TFS Financial
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 23, 2026

WEX, TFS Launch Equipment Financing Program for Trucking Fleets

The companies say the program uses technology to connect fleets with financing providers more efficiently than traditional lending channels.

Read More →
Line of vintage trucks
EquipmentJune 19, 2026

Historic, Vintage, and Antique Trucks at the 2026 ATHS Convention

More than 500 trucks were on display, indoors and out, at the 2026 American Historical Society annual convention in Springfield, Missouri.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration showing DEF tank and Detroit engine
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJune 18, 2026

DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect

The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.

Read More →
photo of a military truck with "Great American Trucks" wording on top of red-white-and-blue background.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 16, 2026

Great American Trucks: The International MaxxPro MRAP

Built from an International WorkStar chassis and powered by a MaxxForce diesel, the MaxxPro MRAP became one of the most important military trucks of the Iraq War era.

Read More →
2026 Mack Granite interior.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 11, 2026

New Mack Granite Cab Puts Driver Comfort Front and Center

Mack’s next-generation vocational truck features a roomier cab, premium seating, advanced steering technology, and a driver-focused interior designed with direct input from professional operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mack Trucks Pioneer Nascar Salutes truck.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 11, 2026

Mack Unveils Fan-Selected Patriotic NASCAR Pioneer Wraps

Racing fans picked the patriotic design now featured on three Mack Pioneer trucks hauling NASCAR equipment across the country during the 2026 season.

Read More →