The MODI Project is setting the stage for highly automated freight transport across Europe. At its core are two key enablers: DAF Trucks, which provide the advanced vehicle platform, and HERE Technologies, which deliver the HD Live Maps that give those trucks the intelligence to operate safely and efficiently.
DAF Trucks: the automation powerhouse
DAF is equipping its trucks with the latest in automated driving technology—vehicles capable of navigating complex traffic, handling long-haul stretches, and performing maneuvers with minimal human input. These trucks serve as the testbed for Level 4 automation, designed to demonstrate how freight fleets can operate more safely and efficiently with reduced reliance on drivers.
HERE’s maps: the “external sensor”
While DAF provides the automation muscle, HERE supplies the digital nervous system. HD Live Maps give DAF’s trucks a detailed, constantly updated model of the road network—down to lanes, curbs, and junctions. This lets the trucks localize themselves with centimeter accuracy and anticipate upcoming road features, something no onboard sensor system can guarantee on its own.
A powerful combination
Together, DAF’s automated trucks and HERE’s high-definition mapping create a system that’s more than the sum of its parts. DAF brings the hardware and driving intelligence, while HERE ensures the vehicles always “know” where they are and what’s ahead. That combination enables MODI to test safe and efficient freight transport that can scale across Europe’s diverse road networks.
The result: a clear path toward freight that is automated, safer, and more efficient, with DAF Trucks and HERE Technologies driving the change together.