Mack Trucks has added its proprietary Command Steer steering assistance system to its Granite line of axle-back vocational trucks.
Bendix is buying commercial steering supplier R.H. Sheppard from Wabco, a move that adds to its position as a maker of integrated steering and braking systems, which are the basis for highly automated driving and advanced driver assistance systems.
Volvo's Dynamic Steering adds a lot of flexibility to a truck and the ability to control steering inputs more precisely, taking a lot of the load off of the driver.
Volvo Trucks is introducing Volvo Dynamic Steering to North America following five years of production in Europe. It’s billed now as a driver assist feature, but it will likely be a pathway to some active steering technology.
ReAx from ZF was originally designed as something that would make it easier to steer a truck at lower speeds, but it has become a key component in automated driver assist features and may someday enable fully autonomous driving.
The American Council of Frame and Alignment Specialists will offer a technician training clinic on alignment in August.
Medium-duty truck builders will soon have a groundbreaking transmission to add to their data books, and heavy-truck makers will have more steering assist options thanks to recently demonstrated technologies from German supplier ZF.
CVSA is planning to pay close attention to suspensions and steering systems in this year's 72-hour Roadcheck inspection blitz. Will your maintenance procedures keep your trucks off the sidelines this year?
In our January issue, HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park explored how advances in steering are soon going to make driving easier, and will be an important part of the move toward more automation in trucks. Here's a more extended interview on the topic with Jon Morrison, president of the Americas at Wabco.
Active steering will be the next addition to advanced driver assistance systems. Trucks can now steer themselves, but they are not ready to take over just yet.