PIX: ZF offers look ahead to the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show

The highlight of the event was the Innovation Truck 2014. The vehicle can be operated at low speeds to a driver using a tablet and standing as far as 330 ft. from the vehicle. ZF said it envisions the technology someday being used in company yards, allowing work involving the vehicle to be accomplished while the driver takes a break.

Many of the trucks available during the ride-and-drive portion of the event came from around the world. Vehicles from Turkey, Russia, China and more were on-hand, all using ZF technologies ranging from suspensions to transmissions.

One of the trucks on display was this Ford 1846 T cabover which featured ZF driveline technology, including the smooth AS Tronic transmission.

ZF's TraXon dual clutch transmission, expected to be available in many markets in 2016 (although not the U.S.) features technology seamlessly shifts gears among the top 3 gears of 10, 11 and 12 while under load with almost no perceivable difference to the driver.

ZF offers a cabin suspension system that senses vibrations and compensates to provide a smoother ride for the driver.

The AS Tronic transmission has been one of the mainstays along with the Ecomid in ZF's portfolio. Over 750,000 Ecomid transmissions haven been produced globally.

It was a rainy and windy day, but attendees to the event had a chance to drive a wide range of vehicles, including this right-hand drive truck from Chinese commercial vehicle supplier Beiben.

Interested attendees had the chance to take a spin around the Aldenhoven Testing Center's race track in one of two European racing trucks from the MAN Lion Race team. The race trucks feature ZF's 16-speed Ecosplit transmission and clutch system.