Love it or hate it – technology is here to stay. While we may not be flying hovercrafts like in the Jetsons cartoon of the 90s, motorized vehicles have certainly come a long way in the recent years. Cars now can brake on their own, have back-ups cameras, and you can connect your phone and listen to the latest Serial podcast episode with simple voice commands. Commercial trunks have also seen their fair share of technological advances in the recent years as well.
As owner-operators it is important that you keep your books in the black. With an onslaught of new technology every year it can be hard to know which technologies to invest in and which to skip. Recently technology companies presented their new products at the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week in Las Vegas. Out of all the new technologies presented at the conference, here are the seven that you should pay attention to in the coming years.
Telematics
Autonomous trucks are the future. We’re not quite there at the moment, but telematics is getting us closer. Telematics is the enabler of other technologies. It includes technologies like vehicle-to-vehicle communications that allows platooning and over-the-air software that updates vehicle software remotely.
Safety Technology
Safety is essential. Over the decades new technologies have definitely increased the safety of the trucking industry. Investment in safety technologies like antilock braking systems, stability control and external cameras have the ability to reduce accidents and save lives. Serious accidents can cost drivers anywhere from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. A $700 lane departure warning system has a return on investment of $1.37 to $6.55 for every dollar spent.
Platooning
Technology experts predict that platooning technology will be operational in the next two years. Platooning has the ability to save fleet owners up to 10% or a combined gain of about $1,750 in saving per truck per year. You should definitely stay tuned about this technology in the coming years.
Augmented Reality
This technology sounds like it belongs in a sci-fi movie, as it’s still a bit out there. Experts envision glasses that would allow drivers to “see through” exteriors and provide mechanics and fleet technicians with guided repair procedures.
Fuel Efficiency
Everyone wants to increase fuel efficiency to save more money and increase his or her profits. Aerodynamic improvements to both your tractor and trailer can save you money in the long run. Experts estimate that 25% reduction in drag could lead to between 5% and 15% reduction in fuel consumption. That means more money in your pockets and a better environment.
Watch:
Driving for Fuel Efficiency Webinar
Powertrain
There are major things happening in the powertrain industry at the moment. The big trends include downsized or downspend engines, alternative fuels and electrification, automated manual transmissions and the increased use of 6x2 axles. Experts expect to see the growth of natural gas powered vehicles and subsystem electrification in the future years. The high costs of batteries have kept the development of hybrid electric vehicles limited, but with new reduced costs, expect the technology to grow quickly.
Embedded Software
Experts predict that embedded software will change the way the trucking industry sells parts and services vehicles. How great would it be if components of our trucks constantly updated itself like our cellphone apps do? Embedded software has the ability to change how and when we maintain our trucks in the future.
Technology is rapidly changing right in front of our eyes. It is only time that much of the technology we see on TV and in movies become reality and is accessible at our fingertips. We recommend keeping an eye on the above seven technologies as we believe that they will change the future of the trucking industry in the coming years.