Heavy Duty Trucking, November 2018

superior to conventional mirrors because it eliminates blind spots is self cleaning and features an automatic defrosting system that can clear a frosted camera lens in seconds It also enhances night time driving safety by offering drivers excellent picture quality to better make out objects and vehicles around a truck in the dark Stoneridge engineers noted that conventional rear view mirrors have been a consistent hurdle in making Class 8 trucks as aerodynamically efficient as possible and said MirrorEye will significantly improve vehicle aerodynamics offering increased fuel economy In the U S regulations currently requiring mirrors will need to be changed before truck makers can take full advantage of such a system StoneRidge also showed off its version of future truck driver information systems The FCD4 featured a full display cluster two rear view displays and an Android tablet working as a central information display Volvo autonomous drayage tractor concept The autonomous age came closer to reality with Volvos introduction of its Vera autonomous concept tractor at IAA Vera incorporates many emerging technologies into a contained closed system that could deliver immediate efficiency and productivity gains for ports warehouses airports and similar logistics facilities Vera is an electric powered completely cabless tractor designed to be wirelessly tethered to a central control center on a logistics site Sasko Cuklev Volvo Trucks director of autonomous solutions said Vera was designed for operations with dedicated routes over relatively short distances low travel speeds and high volumes of goods such as moving trailers from logistics hub to another or port drayage operations Vera has a top speed of around 25 mph and is outfitted with a full suite of safety and sensor systems including cameras lidar and radar to track and monitor its environment during operations Volvo Trucks President Claes Nilsson said Vera is consistent with global trends the company is tracking and working to provide solutions for With rapid advances in electromobility automation and connectivity the boundaries of what can be achieved are shifting continuously Nilsson told reporters at IAA ZFs van of the future At a packed frenetic press conference ZF introduced a host of new vehicle innovations including an intelligent Innovation Van designed to expedite last mile delivery operations The Innovation Van is an electric autonomous urban courier delivery van that uses a cloud based algorithm to calculate the ideal route for both the van and customers in real time Our Innovation Van is an extensive solution tailored to the requirements of the delivery sector explained Gerhard Gumpoltsberger head of innovation management In order to meet the wide range of challenges of inner city deliveries we called upon our entire range of competencies from autonomous driving and electromobility right up to networking with a smart support system The ZF Innovation Van is equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving functions allowing it to independently maneuver through urban delivery settings ZF said the van can stay on course even if roads do not have lane markings It can also recognize traffic lights and road signs and react to sudden hazardous situations as well as double parked vehicles The Innovation Van also features a tablet based remote control system that allows the van to follow the driver down the street if a delivery has to be made on foot In order to find the most efficient delivery route at any given time the Innovation Van accesses a cloud based data support system that contains information on every package onboard the vehicle including destination and preferred time of delivery Other pertinent information such as shelf life for perishable items is included as well The algorithm in the vans computing system takes this information and adds variables such as traffic conditions energy consumption and battery charge status to calculate the most efficient delivery route in real time Basically the parcel itself finds the best way to get to the customer and the vehicle follows explained Georg Mihatsch Innovation Van project manager for ZF HDT NOVEMBER 2018 84 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM Meritor introduced its Blue Horizon line of advanced electrification vehicle components and systems at IAA Volvos Vera concept could offer driverless operation for operations such as yard tractors or intermodal facilities ZFs new Innovation Van is an electric zero emissions autonomous delivery van that calculates optimal delivery routes using a cloud based information system in real time MirrorEye camera systems are designed to reduce blind spots improve nighttime visibility while increasing Class 8 truck aerodynamics Stoneridge also showed off advanced heads up displays and more on its technology truck IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SHOW PHOTO DEBORAH LOCKRIDGE PHOTO VOLVO PHOTO ZF PHOTO JACK ROBERTS