ZF is certainly a company that most BangShifters have heard of. The operation makes everything from axles and transmissions to heavy duty truck components and they also have a research and development wing that works on some “future” projects that range from efficiency stuff to full on NASA level coolness like you will see in this video. ZF has developed a “smart truck” which can be moved and maneuvered with a tablet like an iPad or what have you. If you don’t believe us, we have video below that was taken at a demonstration that the company recently put on. To say that this is very interesting would be the understatement of the year.

The “smart truck” uses hybrid technology so when you see it maneuver here it is being done on electric power but you will hear the German ZF engineer tell the assembled people that the truck can be used in both gas and electric modes when being operated by the tablet. So why is this an interesting and cool thing? Well if you are a truck driver it allows you to get out of the truck and get a much better view to get your truck in and out of tight spots and it can be a boon to see where the back of your truck is while you stand next to it while backing into blind areas. Is this another example of stuff being “dumbed down” for people? Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. Even the best truck drivers in the world would see the benefit of this in some situations. The crappy truck drivers will really love it because maybe they’ll not tear up a rig and keep their jobs!

There are cranes and other large pieces of equipment that are operated by remote so why not a big rig, right? What do you think? Is this cool or yet another step toward the complete ruination of people’s skill level in the driving department?

PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE ZF’S SMART TRUCK GET OPERATED BY REMOTE CONTROL!