Technology

About Technology News...

Commercial freight transportation businesses rely on data, intelligence, and novel solutions for operational efficiency. Transport Topics technology coverage investigates available technologies, real-world applications of business solutions, and the strategies necessary for advancement. News topics focus on the latest applied science, and issues range from autonomous vehicle and robotics innovations to management software, tracking and transparency, data analytics, blockchain, and the internet of things.

Business, Technology

Mercedes-Benz Unveils New Sprinter Van

The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van makes its first public appearance Feb. 6, 2018, at the vehicle's world premier in Duisburg, Germany. (Seth Clevenger/Transport Topics)

February 6, 2018
Business, Technology

Mercedes-Benz Debuts New Sprinter Van

DUISBURG, Germany — Mercedes-Benz has revealed its new Sprinter, a digitally connected, highly versatile vehicle that can be customized to fit a diverse range of applications, from last-mile delivery to construction work to passenger transport. (See video of unveiling)

Seth Clevenger | Managing Editor, Features and Multimedia
February 6, 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
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous, TCA

Waymo, Uber Trade Barbs in Court Over Trade-Secret Theft Suit

Waymo and Uber lawyers squared off in a federal court on Feb. 5 on the first day of a bombshell trade-secret theft case.

Carolyn Said | San Francisco Chronicle
February 6, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous

Embark Self-Driving Truck Completes Coast-to-Coast Test Run

A self-driving truck operated by tech startup Embark recently completed a test run from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, Fla., which the company hailed as the first coast-to-coast journey by an automated truck.

Seth Clevenger | Managing Editor, Features and Multimedia
February 6, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel, Logistics, Autonomous

Survey: US Manufacturers Say Autonomous Trucks Could Cut Costs

Manufacturers could save nearly 30% of their total transportation costs through 2040 if autonomous, longhaul trucking is aggressively adopted, according to an analysis of a new survey of U.S. manufacturers by PwC and the Manufacturing Institute.

February 6, 2018
Business, Technology, Logistics

BNSF Joins Group Aiming to Use Blockchain in Freight

BNSF Railway, which is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., said Feb. 5 that it has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance, a group of more than 200 freight and logistics companies that are exploring how to use the digital-ledger technology in their industry.

February 5, 2018
Business, Technology, TCA

Florida Software Firm Optym’s Algorithms are Quietly Transforming Logistics

Optym, founded by President and CEO Ravi Ahuja, considers real life transportation problems, formulates them as mathematical models with large number of variables (often in millions), solves them through sophisticated proprietary algorithms, and then packages the algorithms into commercial-grade software solutions.

Daniel Smithson | The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun
February 5, 2018
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Capitol Agenda for the Week of Feb. 5: Country Club Builder

Building hotels, resorts and country clubs isn't the same as building roads and bridges, according to one transportation policy expert. A look at the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
February 5, 2018