Wall Street Journal did a story on it where Volvo stated that they are truely going in reverse. The Special dynamic steering stability system they are demoing is a digital electric steering motor that will straighten the cab to the trailer direction hands off. No need for the drivers to be looking. You'll also notice that the truck that does the separation is a 3 axle solid chassic. You get the trailer traveling in the direction you want and the cab will automatically follow the trailer and correct it's straightness. They also state that Van Damme was wire tethered for safety sake.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=clv7emcs84Y[/media]