How DAF and HERE are powering the MODI Project’s vision for automated freight

With a focus on paving the way and advancing L4 freight vehicle automation, the MODI Project brings industry leaders together to tackle infrastructure, policy, and technology for the next generation of logistics

As the freight industry shifts gears toward greater automation, collaboration between vehicle manufacturers, data providers, and infrastructure experts is becoming mission-critical. One such collaborative effort is the MODI Project — an ambitious initiative co-funded by the EU to test and accelerate the deployment of Level 4 automated driving technologies for freight transport across Europe.

At the heart of MODI is a shared mission: to identify the barriers to L4 automation and develop scalable, safe, and practical solutions. “The mission behind the project is to try to accelerate the implementation of L4 vehicles into the logistics sector,” said Petter Arnesen, Senior Researcher on the MODI Project. Among the early champions of this initiative is DAF Trucks, which brings decades of experience in commercial vehicle development to the table. Their participation aims to help define what L4 trucks will look like—not just from a vehicle perspective, but in terms of the broader ecosystem they’ll operate in.

“MODI offers unique insights for shaping L4 automated transport,” said Guus Arts, Project Manager Advanced Technology at DAF Trucks N.V. “It’s not just about the vehicle; it’s about logistics business models, infrastructure, and the legal frameworks that need to evolve.”

Localization and infrastructure linchpins

One of the most critical functions in autonomous driving is localization—the vehicle’s ability to determine its exact position within centimeters. For this to work reliably, especially for large trucks traveling across borders and through complex logistics hubs, the physical and digital Infrastructure must be up to the task.

“Localization can’t succeed if the infrastructure isn’t ready,” explained Guus Arts. “We’re looking closely at the European TEN-T corridor, which serves as a proving ground within MODI.”

The aim is not just to test the vehicles, but to define the infrastructure requirements that will support them — from road markings and connectivity to digital maps and traffic data. This is where HERE Technologies plays a pivotal role.

HERE’s HD map as an enabler

High-definition maps do more than guide the vehicle; they enable predictive behavior, helping automated trucks anticipate traffic conditions, lane changes, and other dynamic elements before they come into the onboard sensor range. Trust and accuracy in this data are essential.

“HD maps from HERE are like an external sensor,” said Guus Arts. “They provide not just localization support, but critical forward-looking data — essential for safe and smooth operation in complex transport networks.”

Mariagrazia del Vescovo, Senior Account Executive at HERE, added: “HERE is proud to have provided the High Definition Live Map (HDLM) to this project. Fresh, accurate, and precise location data is pivotal for high-level automation. It enables planning beyond sensor visibility and brings essential contextual awareness to the vehicle’s environment—empowering safer, more proactive driving decisions. Understanding the precise position and surroundings of a vehicle, together with the sensors from the connected vehicles, is the basis for automated driving systems.”

A roadmap for progress

One of the MODI Project’s long-term goals is a feature roadmap —an ordered list of capabilities that will offer incremental benefits, even for non-automated trucks.

Petter Arnesen: “Digitization doesn’t have to be all or nothing. By introducing features in stages, we can start unlocking value today, while preparing for tomorrow’s autonomous freight systems.”

As the MODI Project continues, HERE’s data-driven solutions and DAF’s expertise in freight vehicle development will play a key role in steering Europe’s transport infrastructure toward an automated future.