long-haul trucking Archives

As automotive technology trends continue to create new and exciting opportunities within the industry, tech-savvy companies are building and launching innovations that are changing the auto sector’s landscape. Businesses looking to follow suit and capitalize on the latest trends have a lot to discover, with autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI) applications, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, tech-driven vehicle insurance and voice-operated features taking center stage as some of the most important emerging technologies.

To keep pace with disruptive tech companies that are active in the automotive sector, and convert digital threats into opportunities in 2022, automakers and aftermarket players need to grasp how these developments are impacting their vertical, and see which companies are leading the way.

Vehicle-to-Everything Technology

V2X technology is a cover-all term for the connected communication inside a vehicle. The idea is that, via V2X, a vehicle can use its onboard communication tools to deliver numerous benefits to both the driver and vehicle. This technology provides businesses and individuals with:

-Easy vehicle data tracking for insurance

-Increased driver safety

-Improved traffic management

-Predictive maintenance

V2X will help improve driver safety by using big data that can adjust vehicle settings based on current road conditions and identify warnings and road signs. Vehicles should also gain more longevity through the use of cloud-stored vehicle data that can predict potential maintenance issues. Mechanics can use predictive data analytics to offer maintenance suggestions directly through the vehicle or a connected user device.

V2X functionality is also key to an autonomous vehicle’s ability to create a picture of its surrounding environment. Within a specified range, this technology can communicate with nearby vehicles, instantaneously helping to assess the risk of crashes and take evasive actions. This makes it an essential supportive technology for autonomous vehicles as they become a more regular part of the automotive industry in the coming years.

Experts estimated that the global automotive V2X market grew from $517.31 million in 2020 to $619.42 million in 2021, and they expect the market to reach $2.25 billion in 2025. Based on these numbers, V2X seems likely to continue experiencing exponential investment and growth.

Human-Machine Interface

Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is AI that features easy-to-use high-tech functionality to better operate vehicles. It allows drivers and passengers to interact with their vehicles more easily through touch screens, swipe and gesture functions, as well as speech recognition.

HMI safety features, such as gesture functions and speech recognition, allow the driver to focus on the road without additional dashboard displays or buttons, and increases overall driving safety and enjoyability.

Car makers are already implementing multi-information displays in vehicles. HMI solutions are enabling drivers to operate their vehicles more efficiently, using technology that, for instance, aids parking, recognizes objects around the vehicle and alerts drivers when they are being distracted. All the while, passengers can enjoy online streaming entertainment or get work done on their own displays.

Investment and advancement in HMI features should continue to grow as these interfaces become a regular part of every modern vehicle. There will be an increased need for customizable technology for these interfaces, opening up an entirely new sector of business within auto tech in what experts believe will become a $4.5 billion industry by 2026.

AI-based Vehicle Insurance

While it may not grab the attention of autonomous vehicles or augmented reality interfaces, vehicle insurance is also going through tech-powered changes that are nothing short of revolutionary.

Experts predict that in the next decade vehicular AI will be able to suggest routes that are safer and trigger instant reductions in monthly insurance premiums; it will do so in real-time. When an accident occurs the car will be able to instantly determine the extent of the damage, after which the driver can send photos to the insurance company and, within minutes, receive claim approval via their car’s dashboard.

While implementation of this slick end-to-end process is still on the horizon, the technology is now available and ready for implementation. With $300 billion available annually in the automotive insurance market, the companies arriving earliest to this high-tech party will be able to reap the benefits from the start.

Autonomous Long-Haul Trucking

The era of fully autonomous vehicles dominating roads is drawing near. While much of the public’s attention is on the thrilling prospect of a car share service like Uber scooting commuters around town sans human driver, driverless commercial trucks are closer to becoming mainstream.

Two companies leading the way in developing driverless commercial transport vehicles, Aurora and Kodiak, expect their trucks will be on American roads by 2023. This is a full year ahead of the estimated release of driverless passenger vehicles.

Manufacturers have shifted their focus to driverless long-haul trucking over driverless taxis for two key reasons: the rise of e-commerce, and more technologically feasible development and implementation.

This strategy of focusing on driverless trucks makes sense, considering autonomous vehicle development took on an estimated $120 billion in investment from car companies between 2017 and 2019. Manufacturers are now ready to get their technology out into the world. The potential financial gains of getting into the commercial trucking sector are huge, raking in a whopping $791.7 billion per year, giving automotive companies plenty of motivation to get vehicles on the road.

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Jan Beránek is chief executive officer and founder for U+, a leading global digital product development company, specializing in corporate research and development, the launch of corporate and startup innovations, and the transformation of Fortune 1000 companies’ digital ideas into real products. During the past 12 years, U+ has successfully turned more than 90 ideas into reality with total valuation exceeding $1B in the fintech, energy, telco, e-health and automotive industries. U+ is a digital innovation provider for Bridgestone, Volkswagen Group and other companies within the automotive sector. For more information, please visit https://u.plus/.

As a long-haul trucker, you know the level of dedication and hard work needed to get the job done properly. You know what it means to spend most of your time on the road and travel long distances, often all through the night. Thus, you also know how important preparation and safety are.

Long-haul trucking trips won’t allow you to bring the comforts of your home with you, but at least you can make your trip easier and more convenient by preparing for it. If you prepare a day or two – or more – before your trip, you’ll feel safer staying on the road for hours without having to worry about the nearest emergency road assistance available.

Spending more time on the road than off it may also test your patience, self-sufficiency, and confidence. There will always be the possibility of road hazards and other obstacles, and if you are not prepared for such situations, you can put yourself in grave danger.

While patience, self-sufficiency, and confidence result from good training and years of experience in long-haul trucking, having a checklist that you can tap into to prepare for any trip is still vital.

What follows is a list of what you need to do or have before jumping into the driver’s seat for your next long-haul trucking adventure.

Checklist for Your Next Long-Haul Trucking Trip

1. Do you have your itinerary ready?

If you work for a company, they will probably provide you with your trip details. Nevertheless, having a list that you can check from time to time will help you map out your trip to avoid road hazards, know when and where to make a pit stop, and avoid stressful situations.

Using Google Maps is okay, but it’s always better (and safer) if you know the specifics of your trip (and route) before going out on the road. Planning is always a good option.

It will also help if you know how to use your truck’s GPS device.

2. Prepare your truck.

It is standard procedure to check your vehicle before any trip, and it’s even more important to do so when traveling long distances. Here is a list of what you need to do to prepare your long-haul truck for your next trip:

Ensure that there are no liquid leaks anywhere, specifically oil leaks, which can lead to serious problems if left unattended.

Make sure that your headlights are working perfectly well, as low visibility night drives can be dangerous for both and approaching vehicles.

Your brakes should be in 100% working condition; check it several times to ensure that it is not underperforming.

Check your truck’s tires, specifically the traction and treads. You wouldn’t want to drive a truck that’s difficult to navigate and control, right? If you’re driving in the wintertime, be sure to use the right tires.

Ensure that your truck’s driver’s seat is well-adjusted to your preferences. You must be able to conveniently reach the controls and pedals, among others. Comfort is essential in long-haul truck driving.

Your truck’s windshields and mirrors should be clean to ensure 100% visibility. Driving long distances with poor visibility will put you and oncoming vehicles in danger.

Lastly, make sure that you have a complete truck toolkit on board.

3. Prepare your basic needs.

Aside from preparing and protecting your truck, you should also prepare yourself. Here’s a list of the items that you will need:

-Comfortable clothes – include a jacket or anything to keep you warm in the cold months

-Warm gloves

-Wool cap for the winter season

-Blanket – an electric blanket if the weather is freezing

-Work gloves

-Sunglasses (polarized, if possible, to help prevent or limit headaches and eyestrain)

-Personal first aid kit (keep it updated and replace)

-Change of clothes

-Bathroom essentials, including toothpaste, toothbrush, soap and shampoo, mouthwash, deodorant, and shaving cream & razor

-Comfortable, sensible, and sturdy footwear and socks – be sure to bring several pairs

-Emergency items such as heavy-duty or rechargeable flashlights, extra batteries, map, compass, and road atlas

-Truck essentials such as extra motor oil, windshield washer, and emergency triangles

-Medication or regular prescriptions (if it applies)

-A small or personal refrigerator where you can keep bottles of water and soda and food (such as leftovers)

-Easy to prepare and easy to eat food

You should be able to rest and sleep inside your truck as comfortably and safely as possible. Having enough sleep is essential if you want to stay active and alert throughout your trip – and stay away from accidents and similar problems.

4. Bring some entertainment.

If you have a portable TV, get it into your truck. If you like watching YouTube videos while relaxing, ensure that your mobile phone or tablet has an internet connection. Bring playing cards, books, magazines, or a camera if you consider them your sources of entertainment.

5. Familiarize and understand road signs

Since you will be traveling for hours and driving to different destinations, it is important to know and understand road signs. Knowing what the different road signs you encounter means is your key to staying safe throughout your trip. Make it a habit to check road signs, especially in unfamiliar territory.

Check out online sources if you want to verify your road signs knowledge.

Follow the suggestions and tips above if you want to ensure that your next long-haul trucking trip is safe, comfortable, productive, and memorable.

Vehicle-to-Everything Technology and Autonomous Long-Haul Trucking Are Among Winning Emerging Automotive Technologies