Traxen Calls iQ-Cruise ‘Bridge to Autonomy’
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CLEVELAND — For trucking technology company Traxen Inc., the combination of artificial intelligence and adaptive cruise control is “the bridge to autonomy.”
The Plymouth, Mich.-based company presented its iQ-Cruise, an AI-driven adaptive cruise control solution kit, at American Trucking Associations’ 2021 Technology & Maintenance Council Fall Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition on Sept. 12.
Along with AI, the hardware — consisting of radar devices, electronic control unit and user interface — uses algorithms and sensors to power the system. Mike Hauer, vice president of business development, noted that iQ-Cruise can reduce fuel consumption by an average of 10% while improving safety, drivability and profit margins.
iQ-Cruise (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
“What we’re looking at right now is that there is a lot of benefits in the technology that is available in artificial intelligence,” he said. “That is our goal.”
Hauer explained that “the bridge to autonomy” is derived from Traxen’s Level 2 autonomy that is positioned below more AI-entrenched Level 5 competitors and above Level 1 autonomy players.
However, he said despite the level designation, iQ-Cruise offers the blend of human driving and adaptability.
“The product is actually set up to be able to move as [the vehicle] goes forward,” he said.
Hauer explained that with full-resolution maps of the United States and its sensor technology, the driver sets the path and destination and the system takes control. Based on the traffic and terrain, iQ-Cruise not only dictates the speed but informs the driver of the reason why.
Maleki
“All you have to do is steer and look for the warning signs,” Hauer said. “If the speed limit is 65 and you are going 60 mph, the system will say that, ‘A mile ahead, the traffic has stopped. So, there is no reason to go 65 mph. You will not lose any time or space by slowing down.’ ”
CEO Ali Maleki said that Traxen completed a pilot program with vehicle and heavy-haul transportation services provider United Road with positive feedback.
In addition to savings on equipment and maintenance, insurance and training costs also can be reduced, Maleki said. He added that fleets can realize an average yearly savings of $5,000 per truck using iQ-Cruise with a payback period of less than one year for the technology.
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