TRANSPORT
Scania embeds analytics into their emergency braking systems that provide real-time crash avoidance to reduce accidents.
OEMs to the rescue
The Powerstar range of trucks falls under
the Everstar banner and Selesnick says
that they “come with all the mod-cons
you’d expect in a modern motor vehicle,
namely ergonomic seating, with air-
suspension; a suspended cab for an
easier ride as well as creature comforts
that include Climatronic air conditioning
and a decent sound system; as well as
Bluetooth for hands-free telephone use
and is MP3 and MP4 compatible.”
Selesnick reveals that the spacious
cabs are designed on the European
principle of airiness and roominess. As is
the sleeping arrangement, with a single
or double configuration. The latter is often
the case for cross-border trips where
two drivers are normally required, or an
on-board security person if the cargo is a
valuable commodity.
Interestingly, in a world of electronica
and automation, the OEM has decided
to place its trucks at the mid-range level,
adapted to the harsh South African
conditions and within an affordable
bracket, with enough technology to
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AUGUST 2018
ease operation, but not so much that it
becomes highly sensitive and requires
a computer to fix it. “Our ethos is
to offer ‘basic trucks for Africa’ and
our electronics are not related to the
performance of the truck but rather the
functionality.” The truck runs a Euro3
Cummins engine for the power and
adherence to carbon emissions.
UD Trucks emphasises that the goal of
‘safety that puts people first’ mandates
safe conditions for drivers as well as
those in the surrounding environment. Its
Quon trucks come with heat-dissipating,
fade-resistant disc brakes available on
all models.
While many present-day safety
features are so far-removed from
long-haul trucks of olds, for example,
long-lasting LED low-beam lamps that
improve night visibility for safe driving;
extra reinforced cabs if the truck rolls;
more spacious cabs with better visibility;
fully-kitted sleeping quarters (some even
with fridges and TVs), they often come
standard with many modern truck designs
— specifically in the US and Europe.
Selesnick adds that in the Powerstar
range, “Also, standard is central-locking,
cell phone charger points, and electric
mirrors and windows.”
But it gets even better. Trucks are
increasingly being outfitted with systems
that can predict a possible hazard and/or
collision. Trucks are becoming smarter.
Risk prediction for driver safety
While physical comfort is important
and aids in a more relaxed ride, OEMs
are developing methods to alert drivers
to unseen dangers. Designers tasked
with developing intelligent products and
services are implementing analytics to
process huge amounts of business and
engineering data to describe, predict, and
control system behaviour.
In general, analytics in embedded
systems can be performed in two ways:
in the cloud or directly within an
embedded system.
Volvo Trucks has developed a cloud-
to-cloud Connected Safety technology
that alerts drivers to unseen hazards, by
giving approaching drivers a 30-second