Peloton Technology Inc. announced it is expanding its vision for truck platooning and driver productivity.

2018 could bring commercial applications of truck platooning after successful demonstrations of the driver-assisted technology last month in Florida and Michigan by platooning developer Peloton Technology.

Peloton Technology recently demonstrated its driver-assist truck platooning system on Interstate 96 in Michigan with two Volvo VNL 670 trucks, featuring one following about 60 feet behind the lead truck.

Peloton Technology, a startup backed by Intel Corp., is raising more cash to fund its bid to improve highway safety and generate huge savings for the $700 billion trucking industry.

Peloton Technology will participate in a three-year federal program designed to use next-generation truck platooning technology with cloud-connected powertrains to achieve 20% fuel savings for tractor-trailers in a two-truck platoon. That would nearly triple the current fuel savings documented with platooning.

Panelists discuss liability in an accident during the "Autonomous Trucking: How Soon? How Disruptive?" panel at ATA's Management Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas Oct. 4, 2016.

Josh Switkes of Peloton explains the platooning concept in this excerpt from the "Autonomous Trucking: How Soon? How Disruptive?" panel at ATA's 2016 Management Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas Oct. 4, 2016.

Peloton Technology, based in Mountain View, California, said it had reached an investment agreement with Lockheed Martin to accelerate Peloton’s development and deployment of truck-platooning technology for the U.S. and international trucking industries.

Peloton Technology’s platooning system will be introduced into a trucking fleet’s operations for on-highway testing early next year.