Technology
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.
Electrification Finds Its Ground Zero in California
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Expanding options for battery-electric technology and hybrid-electric and natural-gas engines are converging alongside efforts to protect forthcoming clear-air regulations, and longtime industry players must be ready to react to this evolving landscape, panelists said here at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, held April 30-May 3.
Self-Driving Car Pioneers Are Slowing Down After Crashes
A series of high-profile accidents involving self-driving cars is slowing the mad rush into the autonomous-vehicle business, according to a report issued May 2.
Nikola Sues Tesla for $2 Billion Over Electric Truck Design
Nikola Corp. has sued rival Tesla Inc. for $2 billion, claiming Tesla infringed on U.S. patents Nikola received on cab design, including wrap windshield, midentry door, fuselage, fender, side cladding, and the overall design of a semi.
Autonomous Cars’ Shortcomings Revealed in California DMV Reports
A demand from the California DMV of eight companies testing self-driving cars has highlighted a number of areas where the technology falls short of being safe to operate with no human backup.
Kenworth Displays T680 Hybrid-Electric Tractor
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Kenworth Truck Co. unveiled for the first time a prototype T680 tractor equipped with a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system that is part of California’s Hybrid Electric Cargo Transport demonstration project.
Driverless Tech Companies Face Scrutiny Over Safety Transparency
On March 18, a robot-driven Volvo operated by Uber hit and killed a pedestrian in Arizona. Advocates for automation maintained that the tragedy shouldn’t detract from the likelihood that driverless technology is eliminating human error and making driving safer.
April 30, 2018Fleets Implementing Tracking Technology to Fairly Reward Fuel-Efficient Drivers
Advances in tracking technology are enabling fleets to better assess driver performance and fairly reward them for fuel-efficient driving.
Anthony Levandowski to Defend Himself Against Google’s Breach-of-Contract Claims
Uber Technologies Inc.’s settlement of Waymo’s trade-secrets lawsuit in February left a key piece unresolved: the role played by Anthony Levandowski, the engineer at the center of the alleged theft of critical self-driving technology.
Teradyne Expands in Warehouse Robotics
Danish autonomous robot manufacturer Mobile Industrial Robots was acquired by Teradyne Inc. for $148 million in cash, with an additional $124 million paid if several performance milestones are met through 2020.
April 30, 2018Mumbai Cargo Company Allcargo Logistics Wants to Build an Uber for Shipping
Allcargo Logistics Ltd. is emulating Uber Technologies Inc. to boost its business of sharing marine containers.