Siemens VDO says such time-consuming nuisances as unexpected dead-end streets, forced U-turns and too-low bridges will soon be things of the past for truck drivers using the company’s true truck navigation system.
Due to go into series production in 2007 in Europe and later in North America, the system was shown to the world press this week at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2006 show in Hanover, Germany.
The operating software has been adapted so that recommended routes take into account not only vehicle-specific attributes such as height and weight, but also the driving characteristics of large trucks. What’s more, the company uses an expanded commercial vehicle map database and incorporates numerous points of interest for truck drivers.
To make sure that vehicles and their goods reach their destinations by the best routes, Siemens VDO has developed what it terms the first true truck navigation system based on its well-known in-car systems. The company incorporated commercial vehicle map data in addition to software that includes the truck’s specific characteristics, such as width and axle load. The vehicle-specific data is matched with clearance heights, bridge weight restrictions and other information contained in the map data. Furthermore, algorithms for the route calculation have been modified to take the driving characteristics of large trucks into account. To set a destination, the driver first enters data about his truck. On the basis of length, width, weight, axle load and hazardous-materials class, the navigation system selects only the routes that present no problems for the vehicle. This data needs to be entered just once and is checked each time the navigation system is restarted. The weight of the load or the hazardous-materials class can be changed quickly and easily after unloading for the return trip.
Once the vehicle data and destination address have been entered, the electronic route guidance starts automatically. Because Siemens VDO has integrated a so-called TMC (Traffic Message Channel) receiver as a standard feature of the truck navigation system, the system provides the driver with traffic information and – if the driver desires – suggestions as to an alternative route in case of traffic congestion. Here again, route restrictions for trucks are taken into account so the driver is not directed onto narrow streets or bridges.
Providers of digitalized map material have incorporated truck restrictions and points of interest, such as truckstops, special trucker restaurants and gas stations. Where bridge clearances or axle loads are not yet included, Siemens VDO guides truckers to their destination by using the conventional car navigation data that is available for those areas.
As one of the first integrated navigation systems, the Siemens VDO truck navigation uses a compact secure digital (SD) card, which covers the entire road network and special points of interest – in Europe next year and North America at a future time.
The device Siemens VDO will supply to vehicle manufacturers is equipped with interfaces that allow an ergonomically optimal integration of the truck navigation system into the cockpit. If the vehicle manufacturer wishes, navigation directions can be displayed directly onto the instrument panel, for instance. Manufacturer-specific control elements can also be incorporated. A large-format screen that is clearly readable in all light conditions is integrated into the cockpit for the map display, which can be designed to the customer’s requirements. Other telematics, information and entertainment functions can be added, and the vehicle manufacturer’s workshops and service stations can be integrated into the map display.
In a second development phase, integration of further-reaching vehicle-specific functions is conceivable. If other vehicle systems use data such as terrain profiles, ascents and descents supplied by the navigation system, the transmission system, for instance, would know to change gear before an incline and could make for substantial fuel savings.
