Werner (WERN) Stock Closed Up on Q2 Earnings Beat

2016 Fleet Safety Conference

The Fleet Safety Conference was an event for fleet, risk, safety, sales, human resources and EHS professionals that offered insights and practical education for improving fleet safety. Photos by Mark Campbell Photography and Chris Wolski.

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Commentary: Autonomous by Retrofit

Rolf Lockwood

Automation won't go away, and now we have a San Francisco startup called Otto that's only a few months old, yet has already retrofitted three Volvo tractors with automated-driving technology. That means the sensors and other bits that allow a tractor-trailer to drive itself — though only on Interstate highways where lane markings are especially well defined. Hence, the system's name: Interstate Autopilot.

The company got its quick start because its founders have been working on vehicle automation for years. Led by former technical lead of Google's autonomous car division Anthony Levandowski and former product lead of Google Maps Lior Ron, the company is sufficiently confident to say, “We're a team of the sharpest minds in self-driving technology and robotics.” And it clearly is.

Another former Google employee, Don Burnette, and a robotics specialist, Claire Delaunay, are also part of Otto's leadership. Because some of them made pretty big money at Google, Otto is completely self-funded.

“Long-haul transit is vital for nearly 70% of the things we buy, yet hundreds of thousands of preventable trucking accidents happen each year on American highways. We believe it's our responsibility to bring safer, self-driving technology to the road,” says a statement on the company website.

Otto hardware and software is tuned for the consistent patterns and easy-to-predict road conditions of highway driving. Sensors are installed high atop the truck, which offers an unobstructed view of the road ahead. With highways making up only 5% of U.S. roads, Otto says this allows a tight testing focus on a specific set of trucking routes critical for the American economy.

The company says its self-driving kit was designed to “empower truck drivers to drive more safely and efficiently.”

The broad design imperative was to develop a “suite” of sensors, software, and truck enhancements that could be quickly fitted on existing trucks. Testing is actively underway with the Otto research fleet.

“We intend to enhance the capabilities of the Otto truck, collect safety data to demonstrate its benefits, and bring this technology to every corner of the U.S. highway system,” says Levandowski.

“This is a critical effort, with wide-reaching implications for all of us, that requires co-operation between government agencies, the private sector, truck fleets, drivers, manufacturers and the brightest engineers.”

It's early days, with no ready-for-market date set, but I've read suggestions that the price tag will be in the $30,000 range.

I'll be following this one closely – not so much the technology itself but the reaction by governments and the public to what's possible. There are some who will embrace it readily, some who'll fear it, and some will call it the devil's work. For my part I'm mightily intrigued, not to mention astonished by how quickly all this is moving.

When I saw the autonomous Mercedes-Benz Actros demonstrated on a German highway in 2014, it was a very bright moment even though it didn't surprise me. All the requisite technology had been there or almost there for quite a few years, after all. I'd seen much of it in action a decade earlier, also in Germany, via Wabco and ZF as well as Daimler, so the reality of an autonomous truck was almost an anti-climax. Cool as hell, definitely, yet evolutionary.

But a $30,000 self-driving kit nearly available as an aftermarket retrofit for existing trucks? That strikes me as something pretty remarkable.

Related: Autonomous Truck Development Marches On

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How Did Canadian National’s Intermodal Traffic Compare to CP’s?

Westport Fuel Systems Names New CEO

Nancy S. Gougarty Photo: Westport Fuel Systems

Westport Fuel Systems named Nancy S. Gougarty the company's chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Gougarty will be replacing David R. Demers who is retiring from the company but will remain available to the leadership team in an advisory role during the transition. Demers has been CEO and a member of the board since the company was formed in 1995.

Gougarty has been in the transportation equipment industry for nearly 30 years, serving in senior automotive executive roles with several large automakers and auto parts companies. Gougarty has been president and chief operating officer of Westport since July 2013 and was also a member of the board.

"As the founding CEO of Westport, his entrepreneurial spirit and unmatched passion have been instrumental in making Westport a technology leader in natural gas transportation," said Warren J. Baker, chairman of the Westport board.

“Nancy has proven her ability to work through complex development projects with major global original equipment manufacturers OEMs with a clear sense of what drives profits," said Baker. "Her most recent collaborative efforts leading the integration teams following the merger with Fuel Systems Solutions Inc., highlighted her skill in managing diverse groups across Europe, Asia and North America while stewarding key relationships with suppliers and joint venture partners.”

Westport Fuel Systems engineers, manufactures and supplies alternative fuel systems and components for transportation and industrial applications.

Related: Westport to Advance Natural Gas Tech With Grant

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Reyco Granning DM400e is Lighter Than Predecessor

Reyco Granning has released the DM400e Slider for trailers, an enhanced version of their DM400 slider suspension with improved durability and capacity.

The new design is more durable than a conventional design, according to Reyco Granning, while lightening the weight by 67 lbs. from the original DM400. The DM400e also allows the fleet to increase their payload capacity.

Standard features include Reyco Granning's Rey-Align alignment system, plumbing guide improvements, TensionRight washers for the pivot bolt and a standard Air Pin Release system. A variety of optional features are also available, including galvanized subframe, disc brakes, load block, auto front axle lift, manual or auto dump and tire inflation system prep.

The DM400e is also covered by a full seven-year parts and labor warranty.

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