ZF Unveils Scalable 360-Degree Safety System for Trucks and Trailers
ZF's new 360-degree safety concept for trucks and trailers combines radar, camera, braking and steering into one system to prevent collisions and prepare vehicles for higher automation.
- 360°
- 21
- B42
What Happened
At its Commercial Vehicle Technology Day ahead of IAA Transportation 2026, ZF's Commercial Vehicle Solutions division presented a scalable 360° safety concept for trucks and trailers for the first time. The system combines sensing, perception, braking and steering into a coordinated system, improving safety across all driving scenarios and creating a pathway toward higher levels of automation. ZF will showcase the technologies at IAA Transportation in Hanover, Germany, in Hall 21, Booth B42.
The concept extends assistance beyond the truck to include the trailer as part of the perception system through a high-speed automotive ethernet connection called Truck-Trailer Link. Radar and camera data from truck and trailer are combined into one environmental model, enabling continuous 360° object detection with far fewer perception gaps than traditional methods. This supports consistent driver assistance from highway driving to urban traffic and low-speed yard operations.
- OnGuardMAX near-field functions that comply with European GSR requirements for MOIS and BSIS and can actively brake to avoid or mitigate collisions with vulnerable road users.
- Highway Assist, which combines Continuous Lane Keeping Assist (CLKA) with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) including Stop and Go.
- Reversing assistance that improves visibility and can automatically brake during docking and yard maneuvers, with additional trailer-mounted side cameras.
- Driver Monitoring System (DMS) that detects driver distraction and fatigue and can intervene.
- Acoustic siren recognition (Rescue Assist) that supports response to emergency vehicles outside the driver's view.
“ZF's system approach to these challenges integrates ADAS functions across the entire vehicle combination and includes advancements that go beyond warning-based driver assistance toward active collision prevention.”
ZF's ADAS architecture uses a scalable design supported by next-generation radar and camera technology. These sensors deliver high-quality sensing data with low latency and allow integration of additional sensors and advanced data fusion architectures. This improves detection performance and system robustness across different vehicle platforms, use cases and regions.
“Scalability is key for our customers. They need safety systems that protect their investments, meet today's requirements and evolve over time without redesigning the vehicle. Our ADAS portfolio enables this step-by-step upgradeability, allowing OEMs to add new functions and performance levels as their vehicles and business models evolve.”
A key differentiator is ZF's ability to combine ADAS, braking and steering into one coordinated safety system rather than operating as isolated functions. Beyond meeting current requirements such as the European General Safety Regulation, the technologies provide safety benefits that exceed regulatory minimums. This supports OEMs in achieving rising targets, including higher Euro NCAP safety ratings and upcoming regulatory frameworks.
Previously from ZF
Earlier in July, ZF introduced City Bus Assist, a perception-sensor-based system that automates steering and suspension lowering at bus stops to improve safety and accessibility. The company also unveiled ZF LIFETEC's Infrared Belt, a fabric with an integrated infrared signature that enables in-cabin cameras to verify correct seat belt wear. These prior launches show ZF expanding its driver-assistance and safety portfolio across vehicle segments ahead of today's truck and trailer system.
- ZF Introduces City Bus Assist for Safer, Smarter Bus Stop Approaches
- ZF LIFETEC unveils infrared seat belt for camera-based occupant detection
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of ZF's official releases.
Why this matters
ZF's 360-degree safety system treats the entire truck-trailer combination as a single sensing unit, which can cut perception gaps and actively brake to avoid crashes. That matters for fleet operators and OEMs facing stricter European safety rules, and for vulnerable road users, since the system goes beyond warnings to active collision prevention. Its scalable design also lets OEMs add automation functions over time without redesigning the vehicle.
Terms in This Story
- ADAS
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems — electronic systems that help drivers with tasks such as braking, steering and monitoring to improve safety.
- GSR
- General Safety Regulation — European Union regulations that set minimum safety and assistance requirements for new vehicles.
- MOIS
- Moving Off Information System — a system that warns drivers about obstacles in their path when pulling away from a standstill.
- BSIS
- Blind Spot Information System — a system that monitors the vehicle's blind spot and alerts drivers to objects or people there.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.