Continental focuses on automated truck convoys

Technology company Continental is developing components and systems for the series launch of the electronic towbar, or platooning, using on an interoperable internet platform, which trucks from different manufacturers and fleet operators can use to form an electronic convoy on the freeway. Braking and sensor data are transmitted wirelessly from the lead vehicle to the following vehicles.
September 5, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

Technology company 260 Continental is developing components and systems for the series launch of the electronic towbar, or platooning, using on an interoperable internet platform, which trucks from different manufacturers and fleet operators can use to form an electronic convoy on the freeway. Braking and sensor data are transmitted wirelessly from the lead vehicle to the following vehicles.
 
Continental forecasts that it will be possible to initially reduce the distance between vehicles from 50 to15 metres at a speed of 80 km/h. Its development experts even predict that, in the long term, it will be technically possible to safely reduce this distance to only 10 metres.
 
Drivers in the convoy are supported by automated driving systems. As a first step, Continental is working on the technology for highly automated convoys comprising a lead truck being followed by one or two additional trucks using the electronic towbar.
 
According to Dr Michael Ruf, head of continental’s Commercial Vehicles and Aftermarket, platooning means that the truck, which is electronically coupled to the lead vehicle, consumes up to 15 per cent less fuel thanks to safe slipstreaming. Even the lead vehicle drives up to three percent more efficiently on account of the reduction in air turbulence, he says.
 
Continental believes that if only 50 per cent of the annual mileage of a truck, totalling 150,000 km, was driven in convoy, every coupled truck would be able to save 4,000 litres of diesel per year. One of these convoys would reduce annual fuel costs by over US$10,000 (€9,000) per year and enable the fleet operator to reduce its CO2 emissions by 24 kg per hour with a convoy of three trucks.

Location Based Systems

Related Content

  • February 11, 2015
    Scania tests truck platooning
    Dutch Infrastructure and Environment Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen, along with representatives of the European Commission, recently took part in test drive of truck platooning on the A28 in the Netherlands. The convoy consisted of three Scania R500 Streamline trucks; the steering was done by truck drivers, but speed and braking were controlled by the front truck using wi-fi technology. The plan is to have fully self driving trucks in the future. This method of coupled drive, based on adaptive cr
    Read More
  • August 1, 2023
    Transportation’s electrifying future
    Climbing out of our silos will be vital to create the frameworks and networks needed to decarbonise transport, if we are serious about mitigating climate change, says Colin Sowman
    Read More
  • December 1, 2015
    VW scandal prompts emissions testing debate
    In the wake of the VW scandal John Kendall looks at emissions testing on both sides of the Atlantic. Since the VW emissions story broke in September, emissions testing has come under greater scrutiny, and none more so than in Europe, where critics have long been highlighting the weaknesses of the testing system. Ironically, changes to the emissions testing process were already under review but the story has pushed it up the agenda.
    Read More
  • December 8, 2014
    Sensor solutions cuts maintenance and emissions
    The new raft of sensor technology can provide cost savings as well as additional functionality, as David Crawford discovers. Austria’s third-largest city, Linz, with a population of around 200,000, is recording substantial savings in its urban tram network within 18 months of introducing a new, high-technology approach to its public transport management. Tram, bus and trolleybus operator Linz Linien forms part of city utilities management company Linz AG, which has been carrying out a wide-ranging Smart Cit
    Read More

Highlighted Content