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

  • December 4, 2015
    Europe’s heavy trucks ‘no more fuel-efficient than ten years ago’
    A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) claims that trucks in the European Union are no more fuel-efficient than they were a decade ago. The study, which analyses data from the European commercial trucking market, looking at key member states, manufacturers and fuel consumption trend, found that heavy-duty vehicles represent only four per cent of the on-road fleet in the European Union, but are responsible for 30 per cent of on-road CO2 emissions. In contrast, the study cla
    Read More
  • November 25, 2014
    ATRI seeks input on truck platooning
    Working in collaboration with two FHWA-sponsored project teams, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is conducting research to explore trucking industry perspectives on the use of automated truck platooning, also known as Driver Assistive Truck Platooning. This concept is based on a system that controls inter-vehicle spacing based on information from forward-looking radars and direct vehicle-to-vehicle communications. Braking and other operational data is constantly exchanged between th
    Read More
  • February 15, 2013
    Success of London’s congestion charge scheme
    Said to be the biggest congestion charge scheme to launch in any city, the London scheme got off to a smooth start ten years ago on 17 February 2003, much to the surprise of London's then mayor Ken Livingstone, who ten years later says “it turned out better than I expected.” None of the anticipated pre-7am congestion as drivers attempted to avoid the charge happened, and by the end of the first day 57,000 drivers had paid it. The main problem seemed to be that buses were all running ahead of time and had t
    Read More
  • January 15, 2014
    Continental and Here team up on vehicle connectivity
    Automotive supplier Continental and Nokia’s Here have expanded their collaboration on connected car technologies, focusing on electronic horizon, future automated driving functionalities and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Work will begin with the development of precise map technology for Continental’s electronic horizon platform that will include a range of road information, including lane markings and connectivity, speed limit changes, no passing signs and more. This information will enable a
    Read More

Highlighted Content