The 2019 TMC Annual Meeting & Expo drew more than 4,200 attendees.
The 2019 TMC Annual Meeting & Expo drew more than 4,200 attendees.
The 2019 TMC Annual Meeting & Expo drew more than 4,200 attendees.
The 2019 TMC Annual Meeting & Expo drew more than 4,200 attendees.
The 2019 TMC Annual Meeting & Expo drew more than 4,200 attendees.

Product and technology takeaways from TMC 2019

March 27, 2019
This year’s show ticked all the boxes for latest trends in trucking with a focus on connectivity, electrification, integration, data collection and more.

Electrification, vehicle connectivity, autonomous systems, sensors, smart trailers, IoT, the cloud, data management …

So it seems, these buzz words aren’t going away anytime soon. But, as with any trends we’ve seen in the industry, it takes time to implement as we take incremental steps toward these different technologies.

Every year, the Technology & Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting & Expo gets larger, with more attendees, more exhibitors and more announcements. While there were too many product launches and new initiatives to mention here, below are some of the highlights.   

Electrification

Whether it’s figuring out how to prepare for multi-voltage systems, ranging from the traditional 12V garden variety, to the 48V powerhouse, and anything in between, the “mild hybrid” will pose new challenges when it comes to managing and maintaining electrical systems on a vehicle. The S.1 Electrical Study Group Session covering this topic focused on preparing for these systems. As higher power requirements become a reality, while still maintaining existing systems – particularly for trailers where 12V may never likely go away – fleets will do well by preparing now for what’s to come. Parts inventories will change with the different voltage rates, according to Bruce Purkey. These changes also mean training technicians on knowing how to identify, test and service different voltage systems.

These voltage systems will be necessary to power the myriad electric systems being developed for different parts of the commercial vehicle. Case in point, Dana and Eaton both announced continued advancements with electric drivetrains technology.

Eaton is serious about the electric powertrain, and discussed numerous products launching to help with improving diesel engine efficiency, as well as provide a launchpad into vehicle electrification. The company formed its Eaton eMobility division back in March of 2018 to solidify its “expertise in powertrains with key technologies and scale of the electrical power management in our electrical sector,” according to Dr. Mihai Dorobantu, director, technology planning and government affairs, Eaton.

Dana, with its recent acquisitions of TM4 and CO, showcased its electrification technologies in action with an all-electric medium duty beverage delivery vehicle on-hand at the show.

Dana has also been working with Class 8 hybrid-electric truck company Hyliion to provide electric axles, and will be the primary component supplier for Lion Electric, a company that launched the Lion8 all-electric Class 8 tractor designed for urban use at the show.

Speaking of electrification, TMC and PIT Group have partnered on a research project to test out a new braking technology for commercial trucks. Announced at a press conference, the project will focus on testing electromagnetic braking technology as a future replacement to the traditional air brakes on tractor-trailers.

Parts delivery and tracking

Continuing the trend in ecommerce and parts ordering, Rush Truck Centers launched its RushCare Parts Connect, an online all-makes and all-models parts store. Customers can order online and have the part delivered, or pick up in-store. The system provides real-time inventory availability for the nearest Rush location, and includes full-color photos, proper VMRS coding and detailed specs for each part.

Navistar’s new parts distribution center in Memphis – with close proximity to FedEx – and updates to its dealer parts inventory management system, DIA, are both designed to improve parts delivery and inventory. Overnight parts orders can now be placed as late at 11 PM EST for next-day delivery. Designed to reduce unplanned parts orders, updates to DIA look to optimize the variety of parts inventoried at International dealerships, so a part can be on-hand when needed.

Speaking of having the right products, Ryan Allen at Mobil gave me a preview of the soon-to-be-launched Mobil EZ Order app, which automates the order replenishment process for repeat purchases. This web-based app can be used on smartphones, tablets or a shop PC, and provides an overview of bulk tank monitoring for fluids like engine oil, DEF, washer solvents, etc. The app sends push notifications to reorder when the tanks get low. Users can easily access previous orders and review other products available. The system is in beta testing currently.  

Telematics and vehicle connectivity

Telematics is sometimes viewed as a catch-all term. Essentially, think of it as any type of communication between a vehicle’s systems, or a vehicle with other entities, like the fleet or a service provider. This category keeps evolving and weaving itself into multiple areas of vehicle maintenance and management. Trends this year continued to focus on optimizing service, trailer management and on integrated systems.

Asset tracking is the name of the game when it comes to utilization. Truck-Lite made updates to its Road Ready trailer tracking product, with solar-powered or wired options to use with a variety of trailer options. BlackBerry Limited launched a new asset-monitoring device. Phillips Connected Technologies (PCT) launched a number of asset tracking management devices as well, for the trailer, chassis and cargo. Additionally PCT continues to focus on being an agnostic platform to work with numerous sensor and telematics providers, and a user interface to access that information. “We are providing a single connection to go back to a single point to make it easy for that fleet to digest that information and take action on it,” Gerry Mead, executive director of innovations for PCT, explains.

As tracking functionality bridges into vehicle system monitoring, fleets will continue the path toward being better prepared to handle a repair or service when a vehicle enters the shop. For instance, Donaldson introduced its Filter Minder product to monitor air filters remotely, allowing fleets to monitor filter condition and service based on need versus scheduled PM.

When it comes to service and connecting vehicles, Trimble’s new TMT ServiceConnect module, available through the company’s maintenance software, is designed to connect to thousands of service locations across the country. This is made possible through its recent partnership with Decisiv to assist in tracking service at and communicating with outsourced service providers across multiple locations on one platform.  

As we’ve seen with OEs in particular, sometimes that truck won’t even need to be in the shop to service. Remote diagnostics and vehicle updates are happening now, as truck manufacturers continue to provide faster and more advanced capabilities.

Volvo announced updates to its over-the-air (OTA) remote programming functionality with additional parameter options. Fleets can now select from additional parameter options – for instance, idle shutdown or a gentle shifting option for tanker operation. According to Ash Makki, product marketing manager for Volvo, OTA updates are now available on some 17,500 Volvo trucks operating today, based on sales from 2017 and newer trucks now on the road. He confirmed Volvo also plans to provide automatic download alerts pushed to the driver through the dashboard, set for later this year.

Safety and efficiency

In technology that made me immediately react with “Why didn’t anyone come up with this sooner?” both Cooper Tires and Michelin launched tires with built-in tread depth measurements. After conducting pre-trips on semis for 10 weeks straight and measuring the tread for every steer, drive and trailer tire, I can tell you a visual to accurately and quickly show the driver, and the technician, the tread left on a tire will be a time-saver, and a great safety addition.

Separate tire management systems from Aperia and from P.S.I. also focus on a more tailored approach to help fleets better monitor tire pressure and temperature status.

Updates to safety systems continue as well, evidenced by Bendix’s continued testing of the IntelliPark technology, which automatically engages the vehicle’s parking brakes if a driver leaves the cab. Bendix also launched a retrofit upgrade program for a number of driver assistance systems.

A technical session on implementing and maintaining active safety systems also highlighted current challenges fleets are facing with these technologies, including false activations, alignment issues with radar and cameras, debris on sensors and driver tampering. A lively conversation and Q&A focused around implementing these systems into the fleet, and the necessity of having full buy-in from the company – including management, maintenance, safety and drivers – in order to fully benefit from these systems.

Whether focused on efficiency and uptime, or on safety (or, sometimes, both), the latest trends from this year’s show are paving the way for what’s to come in our industry. I am so excited to see what’s next as we move forward.

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Media Relations Manager | Navistar

Erica Schueller is the Media Relations Manager for Navistar.

Before joining Navistar, Schueller served as Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC),  the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).  

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.