Equipment & Tech

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Maverick Transportation is working with SKF and Road Ready to help its fleet avoid costly wheel bearing incidents while on the road. Maverick is currently leveraging SKF’s TraX wheel end monitoring (WEM) system and Road Ready’s trailer telematics system on 900 trailers. The carrier plans to equip the remainder of its fleet, which includes approximately 2,400 flatbed trailers and other specialty units, with the systems by the end of 2024. “Wheel separation is a catastrophic failure that sends a wheel assembly rolling down a highway — and it’s incredibly dangerous,” said Mike Jeffress, vice president of maintenance at Maverick Transportation. The new systems are already helping the fleet prevent incidents. “With Road Ready and TraX, we caught this failing wheel bearing way ahead of true failure — and that’s a significant cost savings.” Spalling (pitting or flaking away of bearing material) is a very early sign of future failure, and knowing about it early allowed Maverick to address the issue well before there was any danger on the road. According to a press release from SKF, it’s estimated that between 750 and 1,050 wheel separations occur each year and 7,000 truck fires happen on the nation’s roadways every year. The Technology & Maintenance Council of the American Truckers Association cites the top four causes of truck fires are failures of brakes, wheel bearings, air leaks and tires — all of which are preventable if monitored and maintained. “Maverick is a prime example of how fleets can lead the industry by using technology to prevent critical failures rather than reacting after they occur,” said Dane Hollar, vice president of Road Ready Sales. “A proactive response, like this one, sends a clear message that Maverick is willing to go the extra mile to ensure their customers’ cargo is delivered safely and on time.” Maverick was able to harness the power SKF’s TraX WEM sensor through the Road Ready platform. Because Road Ready is designed to integrate multiple data feeds from a single trailer, the TraX WEM, installed at the outboard side of the truck wheel rim, alerted the system to unusual vibrations from the bearing so Maverick could service the trailer before catastrophic failure. “Trax WEM is a small but extremely effective way to monitor the truck and trailer bearings as well as abnormal wheel end temperatures and detect potential problems before they occur,” said Cengiz Shevket, president of vehicle aftermarket sales-North America at SKF. “Detecting wheel-end problems early helps reduce unscheduled downtime, saves money from more costly repairs and makes the truck safer for the driver and the vehicles around it.”

NEW ORLEANS — Volvo Trucks North America will showcase the all-new Volvo VNL model for the first time publicly at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC) 2024 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition, taking place March 4-7 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. TMC conference attendees will be among the first to see the all-new Volvo VNL up close by visiting the Volvo Trucks booth (No. 2413), which will feature a VNL 840 74-inch mid-roof sleeper with the Edge interior and exterior trim. The latest model of the Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric truck will also be on display. “We are excited to showcase the all-new Volvo VNL at TMC, a truck meticulously designed for driver comfort and enhanced serviceability,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “Our team has worked tirelessly to design a vehicle that not only caters to the evolving demands of drivers but also embodies a proactive approach to maximizing uptime and efficiency.” Voorhoeve added: “With features like the new 24-volt electrical architecture and improved and more serviceable exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS), coupled with our connected services, we aim to simplify and expedite the service process, enabling technicians to swiftly get trucks back on the road. The all-new Volvo VNL is also up to 10% more fuel efficient than our 2018 VNL baseline, making a positive impact in the decarbonization goals of fleets, increasing both environmental and financially sustainability.” Volvo Trucks transformed the spec’ing process for the all-new Volvo VNL series by introducing packaging options for interior and exterior trim level, powertrain, safety, amenities and technology packages which work to optimize the configuration and ordering process, matching the customers brand look and feel and application. The packaging process also provides improved quality control and efficiency in the assembly operations. The all-new Volvo VNL is conveniently packaged into four exterior and interior trim levels — Core, Edge, Edge Black and Ultimate — with six cab configurations, each designed to fit customers’ preference, brand identity and operational use. In addition to the all-new Volvo VNL, Volvo Trucks will showcase a Volvo VNR Electric model at the TMC event. The Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric truck, commercially available since December 2020, is currently in customer operations throughout the U.S. and Canada and being utilized in daily freight routes. The Volvo VNR Electric is well suited for drayage, food and beverage delivery, last mile operations and planned routes with return to base at the end of shift. The zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electric not only serves to decarbonize urban communities, but also provides significant noise reduction with its near silent operation. The enhanced Volvo VNR Electric 6-by-2 Tractor on display in Volvo Trucks’ booth features a six-battery pack configuration, complemented by a robust 455 HP and an impressive 4,051 pound-feet of torque. The inclusion of an I-Shift automated manual transmission with a two-speed function enhances the vehicle’s performance. A 14,600 pound front axle and a sturdy 40,000 pound rear axle contribute to the truck’s stability and load-bearing capacity. The incorporation of Volvo Active Driver Assist (VADA) 2.0 provides advanced safety features. With a total battery capacity of 565 kWh, the battery-electric truck offers up to a 250kW DC charge rate that can achieve an 80% charge in about 90 minutes.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Real-time fleet telematics data company Blue Ink Tech has announced the release of BIT Dashcam to its Blue Ink Tech fleet management platform. The dash cam is the latest in their lineup of real-time telematics tools that integrate into a command center that’s the first of its kind to offer enterprise-wide visibility into vehicle and load weights, according to a news release. “We anticipated the need for an all-in-one platform with a connected dash cam,” Blue Ink Tech’s Mike Riegel said. “So many carriers are using multiple systems that require drivers and office staff to use a dozen different apps. With one system capable of providing dash cam footage, harsh driving alerts, vehicle weight readings, GPS location and ELD data back to the office in real time, everyone’s job becomes significantly easier.” BIT Dashcam will automatically connect to the BIT Air Scale sensors to make gross and axle weight data available to fleet managers in real time. The dash cam’s built-in cellular modem allows data to be sent to the cloud without driver intervention, providing unmatched visibility across the entire fleet. The focus on ease of use and integration for all their products sets Blue Ink Tech apart from their competitors. Today, BIT customers are leveraging real-time data to power applications for everything from driver incentive programs to profit-optimized scheduling. “It’s no secret that data is going to make trucking more efficient in the long term.” Riegel said. “One of the areas we’re excited to have an impact on with our new dash camera is around truck scaling and weights. Remote access to what is on their trucks in real time helps companies maximize loads without getting overloaded or risking DOT fines, which directly increases revenue. This scaling problem has gone largely unaddressed in the industry for decades.” With the availability of more real-time data comes new possibilities and challenges. Blue Ink Tech is working closely with several insurance providers to enable data-driven policy underwriting, which will drive down the cost of premiums regardless of fleet size.

IRMO, S.C. — Diesel Laptops, a provider of truck diagnostic solutions and data services, has announced a partnership with business management software maker Karmak, which specializes in the heavy-duty trucking industry. “This collaboration signifies a pivotal advancement in vehicle data management, enabling seamless integration of Diesel Laptops’ VIN Decoding service into the Karmak Fusion Business System, free of additional charge to users,” according to a news release. Effective Jan. 31, users of Karmak Fusion, version 3.66.36 and beyond, gained direct access to Diesel Laptops’ comprehensive VIN Decoding service. “By simply entering a 17-character VIN, users can execute an API call to Diesel Laptops’ extensive database, which then accurately populates vital vehicle details such as year, make, model and engine specifications directly into their Fusion system, according to user-defined mappings,” the news release states. “This integration is poised to revolutionize the process of creating new units for Fusion users, significantly enhancing efficiency and accuracy in data handling.” Tyler Robertson, founder and CEO of Diesel Laptops, shared his vision for the partnership: “This collaboration with Karmak represents a significant milestone in our mission to integrate diagnostic tools, vehicle health data, repair information, and parts details more closely than ever before. We are committed to empowering Karmak users with the tools they need to succeed and are eager to build on this relationship to drive further innovations in the industry.”

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) officials say they are “well underway” with the advancement of the federally approved Georgia National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Deployment Plan, which has reached a significant milestone. According to a news release, Georgia DOT “has conditionally awarded the following apparent successful proposers for the five locations during Round 1 of Georgia NEVI deployment.” These electric vehicle chargers will be deployed through a Public-Private-Partnership (P3) utilizing federal and private funding. Under the terms of a P3 agreement, each team listed below will design, install, finance, operate and maintain electric vehicle charging stations equipped with Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports for a minimum of five years in compliance with federal rules: Tifton Location (PI. No. 0019828): EnviroSpark Networks, Inc. – Waffle House (706 7th Street West, Tifton, GA 31794) Fort Valley Location (PI. No. 0019829): Francis Energy Charging, LLC – Wendy’s (318 GA-49, Byron, GA 31008) Dublin Location (PI. No. 0019830): Silver Comet Energy, Inc. – RaceTrac Gas Station (2262 US-441, Dublin, GA 31021) Metter Location (PI. No. 0019831): EnviroSpark Networks, Inc. – Shell Super Stop Gas Station (1205 S Lewis Street, Metter, GA 30439) Brunswick Location (PI. No. 0019832): Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. – Love’s Travel Stop (2766 Hwy 17, Brunswick, GA 31523) “Georgia DOT’s mission is to provide a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “Georgia is a leader in E-Mobility with KIA in West Point producing the EV9, as well as the Hyundai KIA Genisis Meta plant and Rivian plant both that are under construction. Deploying these first 5 charger locations is a good start to ensure the fast charging infrastructure is in place as more and more electric vehicles are on the road. We look forward to the next round of procurements starting very soon.” Georgia is among the top 10 states for EV sales and three of the top five largest investments in the EV supply chain are in Georgia. Georgia has approximately 1,193 publicly available EV charging stations, but only 14 stations have DCFC ports that meet both the distance and power requirements under federal rules (minimum of four 150 kW ports and located within 1 mile of an Alternative Fuel Corridor). “The Georgia NEVI Deployment Program outlines the state’s approach to using our federal funding to address EV infrastructure gaps in our state’s Alternative Fuel Corridors,” said Andrew Heath, P.E., Georgia DOT Deputy Chief Engineer. “In order for us to be successful, we are turning to the private sector to deliver this innovative infrastructure at strategic locations across our state through Public-Private Partnerships.” Georgia DOT developed the Georgia NEVI implementation approach with broad industry stakeholder input for the EV charging infrastructure across the state in accordance with federal law to establish an interconnected EV charging network that meets customer demands, reduces range concerns, facilitates data collection and ensures secure, convenient access to publicly available charging infrastructure, the news release notes. The Georgia NEVI Deployment Program is derived from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program provides nearly $5 billion nationally over five years, which started in the fall of 2022. Georgia’s allotment from the formula program is approximately $135 million to develop its portion of the national network. The Georgia NEVI Deployment Plan, which covers the entire state of Georgia, garnered its approval from Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in January 2023. Georgia DOT developed the state’s NEVI plan in consultation and coordination with various stakeholders (57 different entities) including other state agencies, MPOs, utility providers, private businesses, and other regional/national groups.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — ProvisionAi reports that companies using its AutoO2 load optimization solution were able to remove 88,000 trucks from highways in 2023. “Using AutoO2, companies can fill trucks fuller so that fewer trucks are used for replenishment,” said Tom Moore, CEO of ProvisionAi. “With 91% of all trucks underloaded, the time is now to max out trailers, keeping in mind that the loads need to be axle-legal and arrive without any product damage. Our clients increase payload by 5-10%.” Reducing carbon emissions across all manufacturing has taken on a global interest in recent years. ProvisionAi’s 2024 goal is to remove 188,000 trucks from highways, reduce carbon emissions and help companies meet their goals set for cost and sustainability. Company officials say that in order to meet these goals, they must: Switch to more efficient modes of transportation, such as rail or barge, which have lower emissions per ton-mile than trucking Request carriers use less carbon-intensive fuels like biodiesel and implement carbon abatement measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions per mile, such as improving vehicle maintenance, driving behavior and aerodynamics “Breaking down the freight industry and the small size of most of the providers’ fleets, requesting carriers change their operations may be wishful thinking, and switching these modes may or may not be economically viable as today’s requirements for customer service are high,” the news release states. AutoO2 from ProvisionAi uses mathematics and artificial intelligence to convert shipping requirements into optimized, full loads that generate savings in carbon and reduce transportation costs by five to 10%. This technology is able to gather data from existing systems and generate both the optimized shipment configuration and associated 3-D load diagram. AutoO2 also works with customers by creating the correct grouping to meet the customer’s needed date and maximize the payload or breaking large orders into optimized trucks when ordering.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — The original idea for the GiraffeG4 System came about when Frank Nugent saw a film crew measuring the distance to the ceiling with a laser to learn how much rope was needed to hang some curtains. After college and before working in the film business as a production manager, Nugent drove a tractor-trailer for A&P Supermarkets, delivering groceries all around New York City. He became personally familiar with the “low clearance” hazards that subway trestles provided: He hit one with his trailer. Over the next few years, Nugent and his son, Brian, developed the GiraffeG4 System to alert drivers if their rigs won’t fit under a bridge or overhang. Neither were trained as electrical, mechanical or sound engineers, so they hired freelance engineers and did all of the on-the-street testing themselves — under the subway trestles and tunnels around New York City. Laser measuring was ruled out as it wouldn’t work outdoors in sunlight. Sound waves were the key. They are weatherproof and hardy, and a sensor could send a signal up and back to a subway steel beam. Timing the trip the waves took could tell them the exact height of the “low clearance” hazard. If the height of the steel beam was 12-feet, 9-inches, a 12-foot, 6-inch truck would fit, no guessing. Eighteen months and three U.S. patents later, the GiraffeG4 System was ready to go. It was marketed to truckers and recreational vehicles and sold well. To use the system, drivers pull the tow vehicle up to the “low clearance” hazard, measure it and continue to measure as they travel under the hazard. “Drivers told us it would be great if the GiraffeG4 could warn them of the potential ‘low clearance’ hazard before they reached it,” a news releases states. “Trucking Fleets wanted to keep driver distraction to a minimum, the fleet telematics screen had to be the hub for driver information.” With this information, the GiraffeG4 team decided to upgrade the original GiraffeG4 to the new GiraffeG4 Sentinel System. Utilizing the original weatherproof sound wave system, the new GiraffeG4 Sentinel was developed so that it is now a two-part System — a tracking app and a user app. On the first day, the tracking app can pre-measure and GPS locate any potential “low clearance” hazard, whether it’s a bridge, trestle, parking garage or tree. That information is downloaded onto a database. On the second day, the user app uses that recorded height and GPS data to alert a driver with an alarm and height sign, 200 yards before they reach the hazard ahead. The GiraffeG4 Sentinel System has been built to integrate smoothly into any fleet telematics system and provide their clients with “low clearance” protection they don’t have now. “The GiraffeG4 Sentinel System is not a navigation tool — it is a safety tool that follows underneath the route the driver is on and provides an audible warning to any distracted, or tired or lost driver,” according to the news release. The GiraffeG4 Sentinel Staff has already pre-measured and GPS located all the potential “low clearance” hazards in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Milwaukee, Connecticut and Philadelphia. Plus, the Sentinel User App has an audible alarm at the entrance to every parkway in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, where commercial vehicles are prohibited.

DETROIT — Six years ago, automakers and tech companies thought they were on the cusp of putting thousands of self-driving robotaxis on the street to carry passengers without a human driver. Then an Uber autonomous test vehicle hit and killed a pedestrian in Arizona, multiple problems arose with Tesla’s partially automated systems, and General Motors’ Cruise robotaxis ran into trouble in San Francisco. Yet the technology is moving ahead, says Amnon Shashua, co-founder and CEO of Mobileye, an Israeli public company majority owned by Intel that has pioneered partially automated driver-assist systems and fully autonomous technology. Already, Mobileye systems are at work in vehicles that take on some driving functions such as steering and braking, but a human still has to be ready to take over. Systems that let drivers take their eyes off the road and fully autonomous systems are coming in about two years. Shashua talked with The Associated Press about the next steps toward autonomous vehicles. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: With problems at Cruise and recalls of Tesla’s partially automated driving systems, what do you see as the future of autonomous vehicles? A: When you talk about autonomous vehicles, what immediately comes in mind is Waymo, Cruise, robotaxis. But the story is much more nuanced. It really opens up how the future of the car industry is going to look. It’s not just robotaxis. I would frame it as three stories. The first one is about safety. Today you have a front-facing camera, sometimes the front-facing radar. There are functions that enable accident-avoidance. You can take safety to a much higher degree by having multiple cameras around the car and provide a much higher level of safety. An accident would be very rare. The second story is to add more redundant sensors like a front-facing lidar (laser), like imaging radars and start enabling an eyes-off (the road) system so it’s hands-free, eyes-off (the road). You are allowed legally not to pay attention and not to be responsible for driving on certain roads. It could start from highways and then add secondary roads. This is a value proposition of productivity, of buying back time. If you are driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles, 90% of the time you are on interstate highways. You kind of relax and legally do something else, like work on your smartphone. Then comes this third story. This is the robotaxi where there’s no driver, and we are utilizing the car to a much higher level and enable moving people like Uber and Lyft at a much more efficient, economical state because you don’t have a driver. Q: When do you see a lot of fully autonomous vehicles on the roads? A: Mobileye’s SuperVision, which is now on about 200,000 vehicles in China and will start to expand to Europe and the U.S. this year, has 11 cameras around the car, provides a hands-free but eyes-on system. The second story of an eyes-off system on highways is already in the works. Mobileye announced that we have a global Western OEM (original equipment manufacturer). We call the system Chauffeur. Add a front-facing lidar and imaging radars and nine car models to be launched in 2026. The third story: if you look at the success of Waymo, its challenge is not technological. It’s more about how to scale and build a business. Deployment of these kinds of robotaxis is slower than originally expected five years ago. But it is something that is really, really happening. Mobileye is working with Volkswagen on the ID. Buzz (van) to start deploying thousands of such vehicles in 2026. Q: Will Mobileye be responsible legally for the eyes-off system, or is the automaker? A: If a driver works on a smartphone and there is an accident, you cannot come to the driver and say, “You are responsible, because I allowed you to do something else.” So this means that the bar in terms of performance of the system, we call this mean time between failure, that should be very high, much higher than human statistics. It’s a system of liabilities which is handled between the supplier and the automaker. Q: What do you think of Tesla’s Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” now, and what impact are those systems having on public perception of automated driving? A: Tesla’s technical capabilities are very high. The question of whether this kind of system powered by only cameras can eventually be an eyes-off. This is where we part ways. We believe that we need additional sensors for redundancy. It’s not just a matter of improving the algorithms, adding more compute. You need to create redundancies, from a sensor point of view and from the compute point of view.

ROANOKE VALLEY, Va. — Mack Trucks is investing $14.5 million to expand its Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) manufacturing facility in Virginia to prepare for what it anticipates will be “higher demand” for Mack MD Series and Mack MD electric vehicles. “Mack is committed to making the industrial and product investments we need to be a North American market leader,” said Stephen Roy, global president of Mack Trucks. “The expansion of the RVO plant will help us grow in a strategic market segment and support our sustainability goals.” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the $14.5 million investment during an event with state and local officials at RVO. Youngkin approved a $255,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund for the project, according to a news release. The project will result in 51 jobs. Roanoke County offered a package of incentives totaling $842,420. “Mack Trucks’ expansion further strengthens Virginia’s manufacturing industry ecosystem, which is a core focus of the Commonwealth’s economic development strategy,” Youngkin said. “We are proud that Mack Trucks’ initial investment in a new Roanoke County operation four years ago has yielded a second major investment. This is truly another voice of confidence in Virginia by a global industry leader.” Mack’s investment will go toward equipment, tooling and a 72,000 square-foot building expansion, making the facility 352,000 square feet. Construction will begin April 2024, and the expansion project is expected to be completed in Q4 2025, according to the news release. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Roanoke County Economic Development and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project. The Virginia Jobs Investment Program will support employee training activities, and Mack is eligible to receive state benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for new full-time jobs created as a result of the project. All Mack medium-duty models are produced at RVO. Mack launched the diesel-powered Mack MD Series in 2020 and launched the Mack MD Electric in March 2023. Adding the new model to the product lineup increased the need for more space at the facility. “Customer demand for the Mack MD and MD Electric continues to grow beyond our expectations,” Roy said. “This investment and expansion will well-position Mack Trucks for the future.” The diesel-powered Mack MD and MD Electric are available in Class 6 and Class 7 ratings. The Class 6 model has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds, and the Class 7 model has a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Both models are exempt from the 12 percent Federal Excise Tax.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Electric yard truck manufacturer Orange EV recently celebrated the grand opening of its new 440,000-square-foot headquarters and production facility in Kansas City, Kansas. According to the latest CALSTART report “Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Trucks,” the yard truck vehicle segment is making the fastest transition to electric, and Orange EV has deployed more heavy-duty trucks than all other manufacturers. “From the beginning, Orange EV has designed and built our own trucks, chargers and battery packs, and we have direct-to-customer sales and service teams,” a news release states. “When a customer has an issue, our mobile service teams go straight to the customer’s site to solve it directly and solve it fast.” Founded in 2012, Orange EV began producing its first pure-electric yard trucks in a 2,000-square-foot facility. Since its start, the company has not only commercially deployed its first pure-electric heavy-duty, or HD, yard truck (in 2015), but it has also grown to have over 1,000 HD electric trucks now deployed in 36 states across the nation. Deliveries of trucks and chargers typically happen within 90 days from the day the order was submitted. In the new production facility, Orange EV has the capacity to produce more than 200 trucks per month in a single shift. “Orange EV’s investment of more than $37 million will create 185 new jobs right here in Kansas City benefiting families throughout Wyandotte County,” said Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. “Between Panasonic and now Orange EV, we are home to a growing EV and battery sector that will uplift our state and power the future of transportation.” Orange EV credits its exponential growth to staying close to its core mission and values. “From the beginning, we set out to build a truck that was better in every way than the diesel. To do that, our engineering teams work closely with service, sales, and customers in an evaluative and iterative process of continual improvement. As a result, our trucks average more than 98% uptime compared to 75% for comparable diesels,” said Kurt Neutgens, Orange EV co-founder, president and chief technical officer. “We also are committed to building trucks that are better for the environment. Our zero-emission trucks are a win-win: the right thing for the planet and the right thing for the business bottom line. Customers can come out ahead by more than $500,000 per truck after 10 years of operation, without incentives.” The Orange EV coordinated, turnkey solution includes trucks, chargers, training and service. “Unlike other companies where fleets have to navigate through dealers and third-party suppliers, at Orange EV we know that time is precious and have developed an efficient, customer-centric ecosystem,” said Wayne Mathisen, Orange EV co-founder and CEO. “From the beginning, Orange EV has designed and built our own trucks, chargers, and battery packs, and we have direct-to-customer sales and service teams. When a customer has an issue, our mobile service teams go straight to the customer’s site to solve it directly and solve it fast.”