Autonomous Truck Technology; Stepping Stones and Stumbling Blocks

Companies such as Daimler are testing autonomous technologies. But how soon will they truly be commercially viable? Photo: Daimler Trucks

There's no doubt that research and development work on the building blocks of autonomous and automated truck techologies is proceeding apace. It was one of the key themes at the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta recently. But it may yet be quite a while before people truly trust these technologies -- or before large numbers of fleets find them to be a worthwhile investment.

In Atlanta, up-and-coming technology was a key theme, including the building blocks and stepping stones of autonomous capabilties. But speaker after speaker emphasized their belief that autonomous and automated technologies will not replace drivers, but will make their jobs safer and easier.

Volvo, for instance, showed a video to reporters of an Even so, a lot of people will still feel more comfortable with a human behind the wheel. In a recent Pew study, when asked for their views on how long it will be before most vehicles on the road are autonomous, a majority of Americans (56%) anticipate that this will happen in the next 10 to 49 years. Roughly one in 10 (9%) expect that most vehicles will be autonomous in fewer than 10 years, but a comparable share (8%) expects that this outcome will never happen.

More Americans express worry than enthusiasm about the development of driverless vehicles: 40% are at least somewhat enthusiastic about this development, while 54% express some level of worry.

Just over half (56%) of Americans say they would not want to ride in a driverless vehicle if given the opportunity, while 44% say they would do so if they had the chance. Some 42% of those who would not want to ride in an autonomous vehicle express ...Read the rest of this story

GM to Show Hydrogen-Powered Truck Chassis to Military Buyers

Photo of SURUS courtesy of GM.

General Motors has developed a medium-duty chassis cab truck powered by a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain for commercial buyers that the company is also pitching to the U.S. military, the company announced.

GM will show the truck, which is known as the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure (SURUS), at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) from Oct. 9 to 11.

The truck uses GM's Hydrotec fuel cell system and offers autonomous capability, according to GM. It has been developed to handle large payloads over longer distances. The vehicle is a hydrogen-electric hybrid using GM's second-generation fuel cell system, two electric drive units, and lithium-ion battery pack that enables more than 400 miles of range.

Commerical applications include use as a utility truck, mobile and emergency backup power generation, flexible cargo delivery systems, commercial freight, and medium-duty uses.

The vehicle also uses four-wheel steering, advanced propulsion power electronics, GM truck chassis components, and an advanced suspension.

The SURUS commercial platform was developed with the help of research from GM's joint testing project with the U.S. Army of its hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Colorado ZH2.

GM will continue testing the SURUS truck through the spring of 2018.

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Allison Expands Fuel-Efficient Medium-Duty Transmission Tech

Photo of 1000/2000 Series transmission courtesy of Allison.

Allison Transmission has begun offering its xFE fuel-saving technology on two more of its medium-duty transmissions, including the 1000 Series and 2000 Series, the company has announced.

The xFE technology, which stands for extra fuel economy, can improve fuel efficiency by 7% when compared to baseline models. The technology was previously available on select 3000 Series models.

The 1000 Series and 2000 Series transmissions are usually paired with smaller medium-duty trucks and buses. They offer the same ratings as current models and incorporate a redesigned torque converter damper coupled with the FuelSense 2.0 Max package. The damper enables first range lock up and delivers significantly more lock up operation, according to the company. They operate at lower engine speeds in higher ranges to further improve fuel economy. The xFE transmissions are compatible with alternative fuel engines.

Allison debuted its xFE transmissions in 2015 for 3000 Series buses. FuelSense 2.0 with DynActive shifting debuted in March. Allison employs a series of software enhancements to provide a variable combination of shift points and learning algorithm that searches for the ideal balance of fuel economy and performance.

Allison transmissions also use Continuous Power Technology to smoothly multiple engine torque and deliver more power to the wheels.

Related: Allison's FuelSense 2.0 Allows Fleets to Improve Fuel Economy

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Eaton Endurant available for Peterbilt 579, 567 models

Peterbilt announced the availability of the new 12-speed Eaton Endurant transmission in Models 579 and 567.

Available with the Cummins X15 Efficiency series engine in ratings up to 510-hp and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque, the Endurant will service vehicles in regional and line-haul applications up to 110,000 lbs. GVW.

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Auburn University, TARDEC conduct live truck platooning demo

Auburn University recently joined the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, or TARDEC, to conduct a live demonstration of autonomous vehicle technology traveling across the border between the U.S. and Canada. The capabilities of truck platoons were showcased traveling down Interstate 69, going east across the Blue Water Bridge connecting Port Huron with Ontario before returning to the U.S. The demonstration was conducted in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

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Famous Rhodes joins Work Truck Solutions board

Famous Rhodes joined the Work Truck Solutions board of directors, the company announced this week. His automotive and digital marketing experience will be used as Work Truck Solutions expands its services in the work truck industry.

"Famous Rhodes' impact on the industry is unquestioned," said Kathy Schifferle, founder and CEO of Work Truck Solutions. "We're very fortunate to count him on our team; with his guidance, Work Truck Solutions will better navigate our rapid growth."

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Old Ttrucks At Old Car City City USA

HDT Senior Editor recently took an International LoneStar for a test drive out of Atlanta and stopped in at Old Car City, USA. The site has been an automotive graveyard since 1931 and is the final resting place for a wide array of old cars, trucks and vans from the Golden Age of the Automobile. Here are just a few of the old working trucks and vans slowly melting away in the woods near White, Georgia.

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