With the Unimog against the deep snow: Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks developers help clear the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

• Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks conducted a two-week winter test with four Unimogs on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, supporting snow-clearing efforts.

• The test focused on the new UNI-TOUCH operating system, featuring a movable center console, a large touchscreen, and individually assignable buttons for improved ergonomics and efficiency.

• The UNI-TOUCH system aims to enable all new attachments to be operated more efficiently and economically.

• The testing conditions were challenging due to the high altitude, risk of avalanches, continuous fresh snow, and poor visibility.

• Despite the difficult conditions, the snow-clearing operation was successful, allowing the High Alpine Road to reopen to traffic in May.

A team from Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks spent two weeks on a winter test with four Unimog along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. As part of the Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks Alpine testing program, the team supported Großglockner Hochalpenstraßen AG in clearing the pass road. The developers carried out numerous technical tests with the winter service vehicles and the corresponding attachments.

The developers focused on the new UNI-TOUCH operating system with movable center console, large touchscreen and individually assignable buttons. The joystick can be attached to either the right armrest of the driver's or passenger's seat, making it easier to operate the attachments. In addition to ergonomic improvements, UNI-TOUCH is designed to enable more efficient and therefore more economical implement operation. The aim is for all new attachments to be operated via UNI-TOUCH in the future.

During the test period, the conditions in the clearing area at an altitude of around 2,500 meters were difficult, with an increased risk of avalanches and continuous fresh snow, accompanied by poor visibility. The breakthrough, the meeting of the snow clearing vehicles from two directions, nevertheless succeeded as planned at the end of April. The High Alpine Road, which connects the Austrian states of Salzburg and Carinthia, will be open to traffic again from May.