Brakes are the final frontier for telematics on Class 8 trucks.

But Hendrickson Vehicle Systems is close to a breakthrough that may change the game when it comes to getting real-time brake system information back to fleets.

HDT talked to Jeff Morris, director, axle, brake and wheel-end systems at Hendrickson, to find out more about how this new telematics technology will work.

Key takeaways:

• Brakes are a harsh environment for electronics, which is why they have been a “last frontier” for heavy-duty telematics.
• The bigger brake telematic opportunity for fleets may be with trailers, not tractors.
• Disc brakes already have a head start on sensing, including basic wear sensors and more advanced continuous wear monitoring.
• The real challenge is bringing meaningful sensing to drum brakes, because drum brakes still dominate U.S. trailers.
• Getting the data to the right person fast is as important as sensing it.