Equipment

About Equipment News...

Commercial freight transportation is a machine-based business. Highly technical equipment and advanced engineering are at the center of supply chain and require constant innovation. Transport Topics equipment coverage focuses on the machines and other physical assets that make delivery possible. It looks closely at available truck, trailer, and chassis models, developments in the engineering space, and maintenance innovations and best practices. 

Business, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous

Google Emails Show Internal Concern Over Losing Driverless Lead

Three years ago, the head of Google’s self-driving car project emailed co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to sound an alarm.

February 8, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous

Autonomous Coast-to-Coast Tesla Trip Past Deadline, Still Coming

Tesla Inc. hasn’t thrown its plan to demonstrate an autonomous cross-country drive out the window — it’s just tapped the brakes.

Dana Hull | Bloomberg News
February 8, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous, TCA

Wintry Weather Illustrates One Challenge Facing Vehicle Automation

Snow-covered blacktop can be a big problem for autonomous vehicles, which to this point largely use cameras that zero in on lane markings to guide the car down the highway.

Tyrel Linkhorn | The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)
February 8, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous, TCA

Uber’s Kalanick: We Didn’t Hire Waymo Engineer to Steal Self-Driving Secrets

Travis Kalanick got some vindication in court on Feb. 7. Under friendly cross-examination by a lawyer for Uber — the ride-hailing company he co-founded and led until it ousted him last June — Kalanick got a chance to present himself as an earnest guy who loved his work, cared about the future and didn’t take illicit shortcuts as he competed aggressively in the race for self-driving cars.

Carolyn Said | San Francisco Chronicle
February 8, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous, TCA

Fiat Chrysler CEO: Even With Autonomous Vehicles, Brand Identity Will Be Key

The term generic might imply a reasonable, cost-effective choice at the grocery store, but Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne says it’s no way to think about cars.

Eric D. Lawrence | Detroit Free Press
February 7, 2018
Government, Equipment, TCA

Illinois County to Make Truckers Pay More

Will County, Ill., plans to more than double its permit costs for overweight trucks, offer an online application process for them and update its designated truck routes.

February 7, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous, TCA

Uber’s Kalanick Stays Calm on the Stand During Waymo Trade-Secrets Trial

Subdued. Calm. Compliant. Agreeable. Those adjectives aren’t typically associated with Travis Kalanick, Uber’s combative co-founder. But during 50 minutes on the witness stand in the Waymo vs. Uber trial on Feb. 6, a suit-and-tie-clad Kalanick kept his cool, meekly agreeing with most questions posed to him by Charles Verhoeven, Waymo’s lead attorney.

Carolyn Said | San Francisco Chronicle
February 7, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment

DTNA Unveils DD8 Engine for Medium-Duty Lineup

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Daimler Trucks North America announced the addition of the Detroit DD8 diesel engine to its medium-duty lineup.

Joe Howard | Executive Editor
February 6, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, TCA

Self-Driving Car Firm Aurora Partners With Chinese Company to Hit the Road

A Silicon Valley startup created by some of the most notable names in self-driving cars is turning to a new Chinese automaker to put its technology on the road.

David R. Baker | Bloomberg News
February 6, 2018
Government, Equipment, Safety

Audit: Excessive Detention Time Contributes to Higher Crash Rate, Reduced Income

An audit of FMCSA safety data shows that truck driver detention time increases the number of fatal, injury and tow-away crashes, and costs drivers and motor carriers a significant loss of income.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
February 6, 2018