The journey of unmanned vehicles

After coming from Italy, the unmanned truck passed 13,000 km to reach China on October 26.

Two ready trucks depart in Milan, Italy on July 20. (Photo: CNN).

CNN said the car originated from Milan, Italy on July 20 and then ran through Europe, Russia and Kazakhstan before arriving in Shanghai, China on October 26. It is guided by an identical but manned vehicle. After the journey lasting more than three months, the total length of the road that the vehicle passed was 13,000 km. After arriving in Shanghai both cars will be on display at the World Expo 2010 Exhibition.

See photos of unmanned truck journeys

Designed by experts at Parma University in Italy, unmanned trucks are powered by electricity so they do not pollute the environment. According to Xinhua, it has a lot of advanced equipment - like laser scanners, 12 sensors, camera systems. These devices constantly update data on weather, terrain, roads, traffic conditions in the surroundings. Computer system to analyze data to determine the running speed of the vehicle.

On flat terrain, the car can reach a maximum speed of 60 km / h. Every 4 hours or so, the vehicle must stop to charge once. The time to recharge the car is 8 hours. Professor Alberto Broggi, head of the car design team, took part in a test trip with a team of colleagues, including two engineers. He said that during the journey the engineers only had to intervene once, when the two vehicles were stuck with traffic congestion in Moscow's Russian city.

The European Union donates £ 1.5 million for Parma University's unmanned truck research project. Professor Broggi and colleagues hope this car will help people reduce traffic accidents and greenhouse gas emissions. Auto driving technology can also be applied in many other areas such as agriculture, mining and construction.

Photo of unmanned truck journey

Two people sitting in the car leading the way.

The car is about to enter the Ukrainian city of Kiev in August.

A man asked for a ride on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia.

Vehicles blocked by traffic police in Moscow city.

A boy in Kazakhstan watches the car.

The Himalayan spectacle is taken by an engineer from inside the car as the car approaches the Chinese border.

Professor Alberto Broggi stands next to the car at its exhibition area during the World Expo in Shanghai.