A California tech company has developed new software that allows two or more semi-trailer trucks to drive practically grill-to-trailer-doors in order to significantly cut drag and conserve fuel.
“Platooning” allows cloud-based software developed by Peloton Tech to control the speed and braking of both trucks while still giving their driver autonomous steering.
Follow the Leader
The lead truck sets the pace at standard highway speeds. One or more trucks connected to the system via vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) cellular and wireless networks with radar-based collision avoidance systems can then follow in the lead truck’s wake, leaving a distance of between 30 and 50 feet between vehicles depending on how good the brakes on each truck is.
The Peloton system uses a type of adaptive cruise control in which the trucks in the wireless system communicate with each other every 30 milliseconds via radio signals, allowing following trucks to brake automatically within 0.1 seconds of the lead driver stepping on the brake.
As the lead driver speeds up or slows down, the software controls the trailing trucks to follow suit. Drivers remain in all of the trucks, but the trailing drivers only have to worry about steering.
Significant Fuel Savings
Peloton officials estimate that the lead truck saves 4.5% on fuel while each truck following it can save up to 10% thanks to drafting in the lead truck’s air wake. Plus, there are benefits to the environment thanks to significantly less emissions being released into the atmosphere.
The software limits platooning to certain roads and safe driving conditions.
Peloton’s software can be retrofitted to existing trucks. A laptop-sized box installed in the cab, along with a camera mounted on the dash that lets operator know when there’s another truck in the area they can platoon with. The camera also shows drivers in following trucks the road ahead in real time.
On the Road This Year
The tech company already has struck a deal with the truck fleet management company Omnitracs and will be rolled out on its vehicles later this year. For now, the company’s drivers will only be able to platoon with the company’s other trucks. Eventually, however, Peloton officials hope trucks from unrelated companies will be able to hook up on the highways.
Initially, the system will only be used for two trucks to platoon together because of concerns about long chains of trucks traveling as one blocking highway entrances for other vehicles. But the software includes programming that allows trucks to broaden the gap when a driver cuts in between them.
Eventually, truck platooning could be used on driverless trucks.