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Enhancing truck-sensor modularity Kodiak Robotics' fifth-generation sensor stack and new SensorPods boost sensor and GPU performance and improve power efficiency. Bosch high on hydrogen The supplier is committed to all facets of the H2 economy as volume production of its power module kicks off for Nikola's Class 8 fuel-cell truck. Constructing bus structures with stainless steel Outokumpu and collaborators show a possible weight reduction of up to 35% by using high-strength stainless steel in place of carbon steel. Volta Zero is U.S. bound The startup plans to apply lessons learned in Europe to the U.S. market, bringing a "small fleet" of electric trucks for potential customers by the end of the year.

Meeting truck autonomy hurdles head-on Combining sensors, inter-vehicle communications and controllers poses major challenges in the effort to bring greater levels of automation to commercial trucking. Simulation key to additive manufacturing analysis Advanced simulation tools help to optimize 3D printing processes before physical build. Making the case for battery-electric fleet power Battery systems edge closer to a tipping point as commercial and heavy-duty fleets broaden their application. Electrified forklifts go big Hoist Liftruck brings full electrification to some of the biggest forklift trucks, motivated only in part by regulatory pressures.

Heavy-duty engine design What are the most significant factors influencing the way engine developers approach near-term design and development cycles? Two experts provide their insights from recent programs. Reducing winter range loss for electric trucks Researchers at the Austrian Institute of Technology have developed an air exchange system that's capable of reducing heat load by 37% in real-world tests. Narrower focus, bigger payoff Design teams are targeting focused markets for their commercial electric-vehicle programs to combat challenges like range and infrastructure. Removing complexity for autonomous trucks Narrowing the operating domains for driverless commercial vehicles reduces the requirements of autonomous technology and speeds time to market. Plastics innovations 2019 The 49th annual SPE Automotive Awards highlight the ongoing benefits of lightweight polymers and composites.

Battery of issues surrounds large-vehicle electrification Converting heavy-duty vehicles to battery power will require advances in weight reduction and thermal management. Autonomy kicks up some dust Machines that move, haul and plow earth can capitalize on autonomous systems today via increased safety and productivity in the field and significant cost savings. Digitalizing to deliver actionable data Mobile hydraulics expert details key trends in controls and IoT connectivity to improve machine design and end-user operations.

Steel sector aids sustainability Volvo Group partners with SSAB on 'green steel' for off-highway machines and with Ovako for access to fossil-free hydrogen. CV autonomy: Picking the 'low-hanging fruit' Increasingly automated commercial vehicles offer challenges and opportunities in simulation, data management and standardization. Developing EV-specific lubes As electric-vehicle technology accelerates, dedicated e-fluids are necessary to maintain proper levels of drivetrain performance. Editorial Real-world emphasis on electric Mahle, Liebherr develop active pre-chamber for hydrogen ICE ABS ramps up commercial-vehicle battery-pack assembly Navistar updates A26 engine, improves FE by 4% Bosch debuts new CV-specific electric motor and inverter Western Star adds 'weight sensitive' 47X to vocational lineup Hyundai CE launches next-gen electric forklift Q&A Mahle's Laurent Art discusses thermal-management challenges, solutions for battery and fuel-cell electric commercial vehicles.

Navistar’s ‘ground up’ approach to all-new diesel engine The S13 Integrated Powertrain will be Navistar’s final clean-sheet design of a diesel ICE powertrain. Human-machine collaboration in effect at FPT’s ePowertrain plant The company’s first carbon-neutral plant employs Industry 4.0 technologies to produce electric axles, central drives and battery packs for commercial vehicles like the Nikola Tre BEV. Autonomous jobsites edge closer to reality Heavy-equipment manufacturers and tech suppliers are solving the challenges to creating construction sites with fewer humans on the ground. Hydraulic fluids evolve to meet equipment design trends Standards fragmentation and new performance requirements for modern equipment pose challenges and opportunities for fluid developers.

Perkins bets big on smaller engine The new 2600 Series 13-liter engine for off-highway machines will do more with less thanks to variable geometry turbocharging. BorgWarner targets more- sustainable e-motors System optimization and lifecycle analysis are key to taking heavy rare earths out of next-gen motors for commercial EVs. Enhancing digital platforms with CT data analysis TE Connectivity gains critical insights using Volume Graphics software throughout design, simulation and manufacturing.

The next phase Meeting Phase 2 fuel efficiency and GHG emissions for heavy trucks will require multiple technology pathways-some of which are still on the horizon. Active vibration damping for construction machines An innovative concept for an active system to reduce machine oscillations based on frequency identification. Consumer electronics come on board Smartphones and tablets are likely to play a large role in HMIs for heavy vehicles-if productivity and safety are not compromised. Patton's new campaign As new SAE International President for 2017, Doug Patton will advocate STEM, "cultivation" of prospective young engineers. PACCAR's Sproull primed for SAE Commercial Vehicle post As SAE International's new 2017-2020 Commercial Vehicle Sector VP, Landon Sproull intends to bolster the society's involvement in evolving industry regulations and to better cultivate cross-sector alliances.

Electrification not a one-size-fits-all solution Efforts in the off-highway industry have been under way for decades, but the technology still faces implementation challenges. SuperTruck redux A year plus into phase two of the promising DOE program to dramatically improve freight efficiency, project leads from three of the participating truck OEMs share their progress thus far and technology paths moving forward. From research to reality Danfoss works closely with off-highway OEMs throughout the development process, testing and demonstrating machines packed with new technology features. Big Data a focus for 2018 SAE President Mircea Gradu Velodyne CQO sees use of Big Data as a way to capitalize on multiple industry trends including vehicle electrification and automated vehicles.

Over-the-air affair Remote updating of software and firmware on commercial trucks and off-highway machines is on the rise, not only for maintenance functions but also to add new features like operator-assist technology. Developments in engine-based gensets With demand for generator sets steady and regulatory change settling, suppliers can rationalize their offerings and push improvements in areas like noise abatement and economy. Testing, testing and even more testing The commercial-vehicle market is eager to adopt more ADAS and automated-driving innovations, but before those technologies get to the road they must first pass rigorous testing practices that prove their efficacy. Smart and connected powertrains FPT Tech Day reveals multi-power Cursor X concept, other "4.0 innovations" for hydrogen fuel cell, electric and natural gas propulsion.

ICE advances Engine developers employ revised electronic architectures, mechanical tweaks to boost fuel efficiency, performance of internal-combustion engines. Autonomous construction sites Equipment makers are testing the emerging technologies required to advance automation beyond individual machines. Modeling electric motors How to develop a traction drive using a multiphysics-based approach with 3D modeling and simulation. Solving the "telehandler problem" Two-stage overcenter valves create stability in machines with highly dynamic loads. Engineering the world's fastest tractor JCB worked with design and engineering specialists to build a spectacular speed record-breaker that topped 150 mph.

Bigger processors, smaller engines Engine designers are using electronics, networks to downsize engines while upping performance, efficiency and NVH characteristics. A testing powerhouse Allison Transmission's new Vehicle Environmental Test center in Indianapolis is open for business for external and in-house customers alike. 'Revolutionizing' digital hydraulics Volvo CE teams with Norrhydro to commercialize an advanced electro-hydraulic system that promises fuel-efficiency gains of up to 50%.

Hydrogen generates buzz in power generation Companies target stationary power applications to prove their hydrogen technology and to build scale until infrastructure expands for mobility. 'Mixed' approach to e-truck manufacturing Volvo Group CTO details the OEM's "mixed model assembly" strategy for battery and fuel-cell electric vehicles and provides insights on infrastructure and the transition to autonomous. Innovation at the intersection of disciplines Caterpillar alum Sri Srinath, Ph.D., focuses on more collaboration and mentoring in his new role as 2022 SAE International president.

Virtual powertrain development Simulation is critical for efficient product development, but proper tool selection and efficient data management are keys to success. Blue Arc amps up for EV production Shyft Group's EV subsidiary is lighting the path for the electrification of last-mile delivery vehicles as well as mobile charging solutions. Increasing connectivity in construction Jobsites look to overcome challenges posed by mixed fleets and proprietary telematics to achieve "one-dashboard" vision and increased machine utilization.

Hyliion shifts focus from propulsion to power generation Prime power and EV charging are two areas that can benefit from the Karno linear generator beginning later this year. Intensifying pursuit of autonomous trucks Daimler Truck and Torc have established a clear roadmap that brings SAE level 4 trucks to the U.S. market by 2027. Commercial-truck EV fleets slow to grow Even for the largest players, the underdeveloped charging ecosystem is hampering commercial-truck fleets' electrification efforts.

Executive Viewpoints Industry leaders offer their insights on the state of the heavy-duty on- and off-highway industries in this annual series of opinion pieces. The executives share their views on the most pressing technologies and trends shaping their business and the industry moving forward. Alternative power and connectivity top of mind Using power dense flywheel hybrid technology to cut fuel consumption of OH equipment IoT connections transform manufacturing, vehicle validation Annual Product Guide Supplier Directory Complete listing of industry suppliers categorized by technology area.

Need: E/E architecture upgrade Bosch VP of Commercial Vehicle and Off-Road believes the business cases for electrification and automation, especially in trucking, are extremely promising. Diesel isn't dead Cofounder of Convergent Science defends the internal-combustion engine, fully expecting already-sophisticated designs to run even cleaner and more efficiently in the future. Fueling up fuel cells The new VP of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies at Nikola shares his vision for the alt-fuel technology in trucking, along with the standards necessary for implementation. From gaming to engineering Theorem sees augmented, mixed and virtual reality transforming the way heavy vehicles are engineered and manufactured. Adding digital intelligence, connectivity to actuators Thomson believes truck and off-highway vehicles will increasingly integrate 'smart' actuators to enhance communication, control and performance.

Bullish on biomethane The CEO of CNH Industrial says biomethane is cleaner path than electric, as Case demos the alt fuel in cool wheel-loader concept. Unique hybrids required Power systems expert at Perkins stresses that on-highway electric solutions cannot be directly applied to the more-rugged and varied applications in off-highway. Getting driverless trucks onto roadways Autonomous developers at TuSimple address many technical issues, but they also must consider regulations and operating modes. Stronger, quieter cabs Worthington expert sees AHSS and active noise cancellation making off-highway cabs safer and less-stressful places to work. Hydrogen boom! Nikola reveals Two and Tre fuel-cell trucks and its H2 fueling roadmap, as well as battery-electric military and powersports vehicles. Rearview cameras come into sight Momentum is building behind replacing mirrors with camera monitor systems as the technology edges closer to regulatory approval.

Embedded systems help drive autonomy forward Kontron provides high-end knowledge for image processing, analysis with fewer control modules. Open approach to propulsion Deutz CEO sees combination of sustainable-fuel combustion engines and electric drive systems powering the off-highway market. Increasing connectivity, leveraging intelligence Parker Hannifin expert discusses IoT for mobile equipment and moving beyond standard telematics by integrating systems controllers and smart components. Cummins, Tula test 'dynamic' cylinder deactivation Tula's Dynamic Skip Fire technology already used in light-duty gasoline engines shows potential in heavy-duty diesels to significantly reduce NOx emissions. Supplier Directory Complete listing of industry suppliers categorized by technology area.

No shortage of challenges Supply chain struggles join perennial challenges for Cummins' off-highway business, namely meeting shifting global emissions standards and satisfying emerging technology trends. Batteries not the only route to EV efficiency Allison CTO stresses efficiency and safety of propulsion units also are critical to reducing cost, improving performance and ultimately winning over customers. Batteries go underground A Saft expert evaluates various Li-ion chemistries and strategies - battery swapping vs. fast charging - for electric mining vehicles. Platooning: an evolving pathway to full autonomy Human-guided convoys can provide real-world benefits sooner than individual driverless trucks, but safety and operational issues still need to be resolved to optimize platoon configurations. Supplier Directory Complete listing of industry suppliers categorized by technology area.