A bit farther out
Volvo Trucks of North America’s Chief designer, Jeff Cotner, recently talked about the truck maker’s future products, which included a look at a possible “semi-autonomous” design. Cotner said the company is currently exploring designs that may use platooning-type technology whereby a series of two or more trailers would be wirelessly tethered to a tractor and have the ability to slip in and out of service (disconnect and reconnect) along the route making deliveries at designated warehouse points (infrastructure for this type of service is yet to be designed). The trailers would be wired and programmed to reach their loading and unloading areas to deliver or pick up cargo before rejoining the platoon. Confusing? Think about current warehousing practices where unattended conveyances travel the aisles and pick boxes and/or stock shelves. They are pre-programmed and often follow magnetic strips embedded in the floors to their destinations. The on road platooning would need to be developed on a much broader scale for on-highway applications and would require many more advancements in vehicle technology to come to fruition.
Self-powering units
When solar power was first introduce it is doubtful anyone considered it as an alternative power source for big rigs. However, recently a company called eNow has developed and is marketing a solar power solution for the transportation industry. According to the company, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are mounted on top of a vehicle’s roof to capture sunlight and convert it to direct current (DC) electricity. The DC electricity goes to a solar charge controller, which maximizes the power output of the PV panels and then sends the power to an auxiliary load (HVAC, lift gate, safety lighting, refrigeration) or battery system. When the auxiliary battery is fully charged and the vehicle is not at rest, the system will direct any excess power from the PV panels to power truck accessory loads (radio, lights, fuel pump), thereby improving over-the-road fuel economy.
My take-away from all of these advancements is that it takes expansive dreaming and some scrupulous testing for new technologies like these to emerge.
