Truck platooning, i.e. the fully automated, compact driving of trucks in a convoy using an electronic fork will probably be the first application of automated driving to be realized in a few years. In addition to the technical development and testing, the legal basis for enabling truck platooning in real operation is currently being developed across Europe. However, in order for truck platooning to actually take place in practice and thus the potential advantages (e.g. fuel savings, increased traffic safety, positive effects on the working environment of truck drivers) can be used effectively, suitable business models are also required.

"Platoonfinder" is a research project funded by the ESA (European Space Agency), which deals with the development of coordination and information service to support spontaneous truck platoon building and joining, strategic planning of road transports, general information about platooning on public and private roads to support optimised truck transports, contributing to reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, increased traffic safety, and optimised road utilisation.