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.
FMCSA Proposes Changes to Scoring System For Motor Carriers, Seeks Public Feedback
Federal trucking regulators are previewing proposals that would modify a program that measures the safety performance of motor carriers on the nation’s highways.
Panel Says Platooning Is Near, Driverless Trucks Far Away
LAS VEGAS — Advancements in trucking technology are paving the way for the industry to experience two-vehicle platoons soon, but the driverless heavy-duty trucks idea remains a distant vision, according to executives from leading firms in both industries.
Panelists Say Driverless Trucks Decades Away; Platooning Pairs Coming in 2017
LAS VEGAS — While driverless, heavy-duty trucks are being considered by accomplished people in technology development, that vision is decades away from reality. But what is coming soon are two-truck platoons, panelists here said.
ELD Mandate Soars to No. 1 on ATRI's Top 10 List of Critical Issues
LAS VEGAS — The American Transportation Research Institute released its annual top 10 list of critical issues affecting the trucking industry on Oct. 3 at the Management Conference & Exhibition. It also announced a new app with the National Association of Truck Stop Owners to address one of those issues: parking.
Continental to Acquire Majority Stake in Zonar
Continental announced Oct. 4 that it has reached a deal to acquire a majority stake in technology provider Zonar.
October 4, 2016Google Tests Drone Delivery With Burritos for Undergrads
In a closely guarded experiment involving the future of transportation, Project Wing — a division of X, founded by Google and now a child of Alphabet Inc. — is air-dropping fast food onto the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Robots Could Replace 1.7 Million American Truckers in the Next Decade
LOS ANGELES — Trucking paid for Scott Spindola to take a road trip down the coast of Spain, climb halfway up Machu Picchu and sample a Costa Rican beach for two weeks.
Spireon Introduces Solar-Power Trailer Tracking Unit
Spireon Inc. said it’s introducing a solar-powered trailer telematics unit to expand options for customers using its asset tracking products.
October 3, 2016Trimble Aims to Harness Data, Eyes Role in Automated Driving
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The top executives at Trimble Navigation Ltd., which owns several of trucking’s largest technology suppliers, said they see opportunities to harness an explosion of data from electronic logging devices and connected vehicles in the years ahead and also are eyeing a potential role in the movement toward automated driving.
UPS Drone Test Fosters Optimism
Drone technology is evolving so rapidly that companies such as UPS Inc., FedEx Corp. and Amazon.com could be using them within five years, according to industry watchers.