ALK Technologies (www.alk.com) announced the launch of CoPilot Truck 11, a GPS navigation and trip planning solution that runs on Windows-based laptop computers. The software is completely redesigned with step-by-step address entry and 2-D and 3-D map views, the Princeton, N.J.-based company says.
The application uses truck-specific, spoken dock-to-dock directions and routing options from PC Miler for the United States and Canada. As an added premium service, fleets can take advantage of a seamless connection to CoPilot Live FleetCenter, which provides multivehicle tracking, two-way messaging plus fleet management, mobile dispatch and historical reports.
DriverTech already has integrated ALK’s CoPilot Truck navigation into its tri-mode mobile communications and onboard computing system. “We’re very pleased to offer the many benefits of CoPilot Truck to our fleet customers,” says Mark Haslam, chief executive officer of DriverTech. “CoPilot truck makes the most efficient use of those capabilities that make the DriverTech Truck-PC the industry leader — quality sound, a full-color display and the computing power to meet virtually any trucking challenge.”
With the DriverTech integration, the CoPilot Truck software and database resides on the DriverTech device. While other systems transmit locations and driving directions over communications channels, there is no data transmission cost associated with a driver’s use of CoPilot Truck with DriverTech, the companies say; wireless connectivity is not required, improving realiability and performance.
CoPilot Truck and DriverTech say they have worked together closely for more than two years, and that CoPilot Truck is deployed on more than 5,000 vehicles’ DriverTech Truck PC units operating throughout North America. “CoPilot Truck and DriverTech are a great fit, bringing the benefits of smart technology into the truck cab to benefit the drivers,” says Paul White, ALK’s integration partner manager. “Fleets are pleased with the seamless dispatch software integration, including the ability to send fuel-optimized loads directly to the onboard computer.”
