Momentum Fuel Technologies recently noted that its line of compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system solutions for Class 6 through Class 8 trucks are compliant with the software upgrades expected as part of the OBD [onboard diagnostics] 2018 requirements, with its fuel system fully able to integrate with Cummins ISL-G and ISX12G natural gas engines.
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...Read the rest of this storyImage via Teletrac Navman
">Image via Teletrac Navman
">Teletrac Navman has guaranteed federally mandated electronic logging device hours of service compliance for the company's Director product platform.
Director HOS customers will receive free firmware and software updates to comply with the ELD mandate requirements throughout the ELD timeline and beyond, according to Teletrac. The current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 395.15 Hours of Service regulations gives the current solution compliance through December 2019.
The FMCSA's ELD Final Rule mandates the use of compliant ELD devices, however certain aspects of the technical specifications required to stay compliant have not yet been published.
As a result, Teletrac Navman will continue to upgrade existing Director HOS customers with the relevant compliance specifications when they are set. This will ensure that Director HOS customers will remain protected after the Dec. 18, 2017 and Dec. 16, 2019 compliance deadlines.
The Director fleet management platform tracks assets and collects data for business insights. In addition to reducing the paperwork necessary for tracking HOS, it provides real-time information to help carriers reduce operational expenses, identify trends, improve business processes and build a more efficient, safe, and connected fleet.
Related: California Carrier Builds Own ELD
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...Read the rest of this storyScreenshot via Starksy Robotics YouTube Video
">Screenshot via Starksy Robotics YouTube Video
">Startup companies Starsky Robotics and Drive.ai are the two latest additions to the burgeoning autonomous vehicle market.
Hot on the heels of last week's introduction of the autonomous vehicle startup Embark, Starsky and Drive.ai each offer a slightly different take on self-driving technology.
Starsky is aiming to bring an autonomous truck to market as soon as possible, but it is also testing a method in which a driver would remotely control a vehicle once it is done driving on the highway. That would tie a single driver to several trucks, when needed. The company said that it has already used a truck with its autonomous technology to make a 140-mile delivery in the real world, according to a TechCrunch report.
Drive.ai is trying to reimagine autonomous technology by creating a system that is able to learn from its surroundings and adapt to different situations, the company detailed in a blog post. While its technology makes use of cameras and sensors, Drive.ai said that the best way to create a safe self-driving vehicle is to use software that can learn experience in the same way that voice assistants from Google and Apple learn from listening to humans.
Refelcting how the field of players in autonomous vehicles technology is growing, these two companies have received millions of dollars in investments so far.
Starsky received $3.75 million in funding and Drive.ai received $12 million in a round of funding last year.
Related: Waymo Sues Uber, Otto, Alleging Stolen Autonomous Technology
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...Read the rest of this storyPhoto: Dana Spicer
">Photo: Dana Spicer
">Kenworth's T880 and T680 models are now available with Dana Spicer D-Series lightweight steer axles for use with air disc brakes.
The D-Series axles feature a lightweight beam with an axle-to-brake attachment to help improve performance. A steer arm design reduces weight and delivers strong performance within a smaller package.
The axles also feature an integrated air disc brake knuckle. The knuckle's one-piece, forged design incorporates the tie-rod arm, disc brake mounting feature and spindle, and eliminates the need for a separate torque plate and associated fasteners. The axle weighs around 35 pounds less than the previous lightweight beam axle and torque plate assembly, according to Kenworth.
Kenworth offers the Spicer D-Series steer axles for applications with gross axle weight ratings from 10,000 to 13,200 pounds.
“Air disc brakes deliver superior performance over traditional drum brakes, improving stopping distance and brake life,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “The integrated air disc brake knuckle on Dana Spicer D-Series axles is a durable solution that reduces tire wear and maintenance intervals, helping to maximize uptime.”
Related: New Spicer AdvanTek 40 Axle Ratio Supports Downspeeding
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