New Autonomous Startups Have Different Takes on Self-Driving Tech

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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Kenworth T880 and T680 Available With Spicer D-Series Axles

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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Class 8 Orders Still Look Strong in February

Class 8 truck orders are expected to be strong again in February, beating expectations for the second month in a row, according to preliminary numbers from ACT Research and FTR.

February Class 8 truck orders are projected to hit 22,900 units for the month, according to FTR, up 5% compared to January and 28% year-over-year. The strong activity for the month continues a trend that began in November, showing that the market has continued to gain steam.

“Orders rose 28% vs. year-ago February. That gain was only the third positive year-over-year comparison in the past two years,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT's president and senior analyst.

Current order volumes should allow production to meet or exceed expectations for the second quarter.

“Orders have increased for four straight months, indicating the market is making a solid recovery after the second-half slump in 2016,” said Don Ake, vice president of commercial vehicles at FTR. "This order cycle is much flatter and longer than usual, but this is a healthy order total for a February. March orders may not decline that much. This is what a turning point looks like.”

Medium-duty Class 5-7 truck orders are expected to be nearly identical to January's numbers at 22,700 units, according to ACT Research.

“While actual orders were in-line, seasonal adjustment provides a drag in February vs. boost in January,” said Vieth. “When seasonally adjusted, the net order volume drops to 21,450 units, down 11% compared to the seasonally adjusted January volume.”

Related: What Will the Class 8 Market Look Like in 2017?

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Vers-A-Deck Captive Decking System Offers Versatility

Ancra International has introduced the Vers-A-Deck designed to provide the benefits of traditional decking systems with improved versatility.

The low profile Vers-A-Deck Beam has a working load limit rating of 3,000 pounds. This allows a cargo weight rating of 750-pounds per beam so a decking position with four beams can support 3,000 pounds of cargo weight.

When not in use, the low profile beams are stored near the ceiling and provide added forklift clearance. The Vers-A-Deck Beams are also designed to be easy to maintain and repair to reduce downtime. The high-strength design of the beams helps prevent them from jamming in the track if accidentally hit by a forklift.

With the flexibility to use both Vers-A-Deck Beams or E Beams in the same track, deck heights can be adjusted to accommodate loads of different sizes with E beams inserted where needed. This can increase load average and reduce damage claims by avoiding double stacking of freight.

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Class 8 orders remain strong in February: FTR

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New Spicer AdvanTek 40 Axle Ratio Supports Downspeeding

Image: Dana

Dana has added a new axle ratio for the Spicer AdvanTek 40 tandem axle that helps support engine downspeeding for linehaul trucks.

The new axle ratio of 2.47:1 allows truck buyers to fine-tune their driveline specifications for an optimized balance of productivity and fuel efficiency, the compamny said.

Dana now offers seven different ratios to support engine downspeeding, ranging from 2.26:1 to 2.93:1.

The latest ratio is suited for direct-drive versions of the SmartAdvantage Powertrain from Eaton and Cummins. The configuration is recommended for regional-haul applications in a mix of driving environments.

The SmartAdvantage Powertrain features the Cummins X15 Efficiency Series engine paired with an Eaton Fuller Advantage 10-speed automated manual transmission. The engine and transmission share critical data, determining the torque required to deliver better drivability and an optimum power level.

By using engine downspeeding and leveraging the Cummins X15 engine's low-end torque, many vehicle operators will see a tangible improvement in fuel economy over traditional drivelines, according to Dana.

“Dana, Cummins, and Eaton share engineering data in order to fine-tune the powertrain and maximize the benefits of engine downspeeding," said Mark Wallace, executive vice president of Dana and president of Dana Commercial Driveline Technologies. "The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle, which is the fastest, lightest, and most efficient axle available, is fully optimized for the best-performing powertrain on the market, delivering a powerful system that manages dynamic challenges resulting from higher torque requirements."

Related: Dana to Acquire Assets from U.S. Manufacturing Corporation

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