Phillips Industries and Velvac are collaborating on the TrailerLink connected vehicle solution, which is designed to support trailer-to-tractor video and data communications and connectivity.

The two companies developed TrailerLink, which augments the traditional tractor-trailer 7-pin electrical connection with an additional ISO 15-pin cable connection. The 15-pin connection, when combined with Phillips’ trailer-mounted dual-nose box and additional tractor-mounted tail box, provides a real-time video and data connection between the tractor and trailer.

The system is immune to noise, interference and latency concerns associated with wireless or PLC data transmission approaches. TrailerLink can support intelligent devices mounted on trailers such as multiple video cameras and CAN communications.

Phillips worked with Velvac subsidiary company Road-iQ, which offers video based telematics and safety technologies for commercial vehicles.

“We saw that there was a growing need for simple, reliable, high-speed data connectivity between tractors and trailers that was not being met by various wireless or PLC solutions on the market” said Jeff Porter, CEO of Velvac. "There is an explosion of video and CAN data being generated on commercial vehicles today, and the inability to cleanly move that data off the trailer to the tractor is a growing problem that TrailerLink is designed to address”.

The initial release of TrailerLink will support the connection of up to four exterior or interior trailer-mounted cameras to displays and recording devices in the tractor. Future TrailerLink releases will additionally support a J1939 gateway between the tractor and the trailer.

The TrailerLink open systems architecture is designed to support all industry standard data and video signals, so it will support the vast majority of mobile cameras, standard displays, and recording devices, on the market today, according to Phillips. It can also be integrated into Road iQ’s VideoData Server system for surround vision viewing, recording, and connected vehicle applications.

Phillips also recently announced the launch of its newest division, Phillips Connect Technologies. The Phillips Connect Technologies division is developing several different packages of products that will offer “plug and play connectivity”. 

Its open platform is designed to work seamlessly with many sensor-driven components supplied by various component manufacturers.  Sensor data can be transmitted to the driver, to the fleet’s operations team, or even the trailer OEM utilizing various telematics options.

To learn more about Phillips Connect Technologies, visit www.phillips-connect.com.