Clarience Technologies announced two solutions to one of the challenges of smart trailers – digitally integrating the tractor and trailer.

Clarience’s Road Ready advanced telematics and smart fleet technology provider introduced a cloud-based application program interface (API) and a virtual tether. These solutions, respectively, provide visibility and data feeds that the company said are unlike anything in the commercial transportation industry today.

Prompted by the digital transformation of the transportation industry, fleets have been seeking a better way for integrating fleet data from both truck and trailer assets, Road Ready noted in a news release. Yet, they all desire this integration for different reasons. With Road Ready, fleets have the flexibility to choose the truck/trailer connectivity option that best fits their needs.

Cloud-Based API for Single View of Fleet Health

The most basic integration of both truck and trailer assets, Road Ready's cloud-based solution empowers fleets to be able to see data from both asset types in a synthesized single view.

Enabled by Clarience Technologies' acquisition of Fleetilla earlier this year, Road Ready is using the Fleetilla Connect open architecture Internet of Things platform, which uses APIs to integrate a broad set of data feeds through providers such as electronic logging devices and in-cab cameras and brings them into one interface.

Coupled with Road Ready’s FleetViz dashboard, which showcases data from the LogIQ smart partner network, this “single pane of glass” approach eliminates the need to portal hop — allowing fleets to save time, understand and potentially act upon asset insights.

“We hear the same thing, time and time again from our customers. How can you make the data easier to digest and act upon?” said Nada Jiddou, EVP of Connected Technologies at Clarience Technologies. “This integration is in response to their feedback and is a key first step in enabling a smart fleet solution that can be flexible and expanded to the needs of any fleet, at any stage in their connected technologies journey.”

In addition to enabling an easier way to visualize data, this truck and trailer connection also enhances the overall richness of fleet data, according to the company. The connection, along with data from 11 LogIQ smart partners, results in a broad view of fleet asset data. This not only helps fleets identify broader trends to act upon, but also is a starting point for future applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Virtual Tether for Remote Monitoring of Tethered Status

Fleets also want to know the tether status of specific equipment to help avoid mistakes of drivers taking the wrong trailer. And drivers want information on real-time trailer conditions if something happens that needs their attention.

To relay this information, Road Ready uses a virtual tether approach. This allows the driver to integrate the truck and the trailer by plugging in to the J-560 connection — just as they're used to doing.

“Road Ready’s virtual tether was designed to eliminate the human factor in truck and trailer integration,” said Paul Sniegocki, Clarience chief technology officer. “The virtual tether enables a smooth transition to smart fleets because it empowers drivers to access safety critical information in real-time, without extensive training or changing operations.”

The virtual tether also offers real-time data benefits. Clarience officials said data collected and connected through telematics in the cloud has challenges when it comes to real-time safety-critical information. In the case of an emergency event, instantaneous information is crucial for driver safety. Edge-computing allows the virtual tether to offer real-time data that is relayed to the driver.

The virtual tether is CAN bus- and future-proofed, as it is compatible with any industry-recommended connection, effectively eliminating the need for upfitting investments, according to the company.