Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021:
Driverless tech upstart partnering with Cummins
Autonomous truck technology company Locomation on Wednesday announced it would collaborate with Cummins on testing and integration of Cummins Powertrain Systems in trucks equipped with Locomation’s autonomous driving technology.Locomation is seeking to re-engineer the world’s supply chain for autonomy, beginning with a portfolio of autonomous truck technology, each equipped with the Cummins ADS Powertrain System. Locomation said its proprietary autonomy software, when integrated with the firmware running on the ADS Powertrain System, will enable optimized and more precise powertrain control that will result in increased fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions. Locomation estimates that through this relationship with Cummins, its autonomous truck design will reduce fuel consumption per truck by 10%.
Cummins General Manager Global Powertrain Integration J Michael Taylor said the collaboration will provide Locomation with access to the resources required to commercialize its autonomous products using Cummins’ proprietary systems and components and provide Cummins with valuable feedback for future product improvements.”
Locomation is aiming to deploy its first product line, Autonomous Relay Convoy in late 2022, starting with Wilson Logistics and following with PGT Trucking to fulfill the contracts for a total of 2,120 trucks between the first two commercial customers.
FleetPride adds new functions to its e-commerce site
FleetPride claims it has hundreds of thousands of parts in its portfolio and the company expects to have every part available for sale online within the next two years.
"Now customers can click, talk, chat or visit FleetPride to immediately access the expansive inventory of parts and vast network of stores, service centers and distribution centers to get the exact products and services needed to keep their trucks moving," said Darren Taylor, FleetPride senior vice president of marketing and digital.
The site features "My Fleet," where fleet customers can securely store information on their vehicles to easily find needed parts. Similarly, users can create favorite parts lists for the products they want to save. Customers can find alternative parts and are offered additional parts to help complete the job. Additionally, newly redesigned search and checkout pages highlight critical information like 'exact fit' and real-time availability.
In addition to launching the e-commerce site, FleetPride is offering direct shipping options from its five distribution centers as well as branches across the U.S. With the help of a comprehensive order management system and transportation management system, the site allows customers to accurately check the availability of real-time local inventory and select how they want to receive the product: through branch pickup, local delivery or direct shipping. Now, even the most obscure product will be easily accessible and delivered when and where the customer needs it. Additionally, all orders and invoices regardless of whether they're placed online or in stores can be managed through the site.
Driverless truck upstart Aurora intros subscription services
With a subscription to Aurora Horizon or Aurora Connect, customers will have access to Aurora Driver (the hardware, software, and data services needed to safely operate an Aurora-powered car or truck without a safety driver), Aurora Beacon (the mission control system that will integrate with a carrier or network’s system and app to communicate dispatching and routing, monitor vehicle health, and handle incident response) and Aurora Shield (the roadside assistance program and extended support to maximize uptime service and maintenance of the Aurora Driver.)
Aurora on Wednesday revealed details of its product offering, Aurora Horizon and Aurora Connect. When Aurora launches its trucking business in late 2023 and its ride-hailing business a year later, carriers, fleets and ride-hailing networks will operate Aurora-powered trucks with products through a Driver-as-a-Service subscription.
Aurora Horizon, the company said, will provide carriers and private fleets with a reliable and scalable driver supply powered by the Aurora Driver and a suite of tools designed to integrate these vehicles with existing operations and maximize their uptime. To ensure carriers have confidence in the safety and reliability of Aurora Horizon at launch, Aurora is working with its OEM partners and carrier customers to refine its product through a series of commercial pilots as part of its Aurora Driver Development Program.
Aurora Connect is being built to enable vehicles equipped with the Aurora Driver to integrate with ride-hailing networks and is being designed to provide ride-hailing networks with a predictable and reliable supply of Aurora-powered vehicles that can respond to fluctuating demand.
With a subscription to Aurora Horizon or Aurora Connect, customers will have access to Aurora Driver (the hardware, software, and data services needed to safely operate an Aurora-powered car or truck without a safety driver), Aurora Beacon (the mission control system that will integrate with a carrier or network’s system and app to communicate dispatching and routing, monitor vehicle health, and handle incident response) and Aurora Shield (the roadside assistance program and extended support to maximize uptime service and maintenance of the Aurora Driver.)
