Future look In celebration of SAE’s Centennial in 2005, industry executives discuss the future of mobility technology. The future of trucking and technology

s technology integration becomes Roads will also become smarter. Real- ingrained in all facets of the com- time information on road conditions, Amercial vehicle industry, the delays, and closures will be transmitted of the future will be smarter, more to the operator, automatically turn- adaptable, and more reliable. ing the driver’s radio on to warn of an is implementing technology accident ahead. This notifi cation will offer into every element of the company: re- the driver a chance to switch routes to search, design, testing, sales, production, avoid the traffi c jam. fi nance, and aftermarket support. With an When nearing the outskirts of a major investment of $1 billion over the past 10 city, the driver could receive special infor- years in product research and develop- mation in a similar wireless manner. ment, this commitment will help produce Messages might highlight areas where the future product generations being trucks are not permitted except during by Tom Plimpton, President of driven by changing technology, regula- certain hours, helping the trucker to avoid PACCAR Inc. tion, and customer needs. possible delays and to effi ciently deliver his or her goods. Technology Aftermarket customer support will Today’s typical heavy-duty truck has 10 also be advanced through technology. or more computers, and additional sys- PACCAR’s Electronic Dealerships are tems are coming. Multiplexing technol- focused on improving dealer and cus- ogy will connect to wireless networks, tomer productivity and the entire cus- including Bluetooth, to present informa- tomer experience. Tablet PCs enable the tion in a meaningful way using XML service writer to prepare electronic write- technology. All systems will “talk” to each ups and allow the service technician to other while minimizing interference gen- order parts directly through the dealer PACCAR’s lineup: erated by the close proximity of multiple business system. New software will make , DAF, and components. it possible to receive bar code data and Wireless technology will push benefi - perform parts cycle counting on a wireless cial information about truck stops, diesel Pocket PC. A Web-enabled kiosk will al- fuel prices, and restaurants to the driver low customers to fi nd parts on an elec- before he arrives in the area. For example, tronic parts catalog, schedule service, a driver approaching his maximum ser- and quickly examine new and used vice hours may receive e-mail messages— truck inventory. converted to audio in the cab—that the PACCAR’s technology efforts of the nearest truck stop has 20 parking spots future will focus on providing customers open, current diesel fuel prices, and infor- with solutions to increase truck asset mation about the steak dinner special. productivity, lower operating cost,

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411paccarrg(98-99).indd 98 10/22/04 4:02:45 PM increase fuel economy, regulate engine ing the logistics chain. Geofencing will Sophisticated engineering software emissions, and operate safely. improve route effi ciency and also pro- vide wireless notification to the fleet Regulation dispatcher when trucks cross into their In the future, anti-idling devices will be destination city. standard, helping to save billions of Prognostics technology will notify the gallons in fuel as well as provide in- technician of potential service problems creased driver comfort. Advances in en- via e-mail. This notice will enable the gine aftertreatment technologies will service issue to be addressed before it assist engine manufacturers meet 2007 develops into a major problem. Via a and 2010 emissions standards, further telematics link, the parts and service reducing air pollution. technician will be ready when the truck Automatic payload monitoring tech- arrives at the dealer’s service bay. nology will accurately record tractor and PACCAR, like SAE, will celebrate its trailer weight, which could then be trans- 100th anniversary in 2005. It’s an exciting mitted to the weigh station as the truck time for engineers to be in this fi eld as passes by on the . Rollover stabil- they explore ways to solve problems us- ity technology, airbags, night vision, lane- ing state-of-the-art technology. At 3-D projection of full-sized truck on 16- by departure warnings, drowsy-driver Kenworth’s new Research & Development 20-ft viewing screen monitors, and other safety-related tech- Center in Renton, WA, engineers are using nologies are also likely to be part of rapid prototyping, 3-D projection room the truck of the future. Long-lasting graphics, and a fi ve-axis router to help LED headlamps and other lighting will speed the design process, enabling prod- be standard. uct enhancements 12-24 months faster Enhancements in some of these areas than 10 years ago. are already being implemented into many In the future, PACCAR and its truck commercial vehicles. brands (Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF) will enhance their leadership through the Customer needs use of new technologies—both on its In the future, telematics will play a major trucks and at dealerships—to provide role in helping make the customer’s key benefi ts that positively impact our cus- asset—the truck—more productive. Using tomers’ bottom line by increasing produc- telematics and GPS technology, fl eets will tivity, performance, and reliability. receive increased data on each truck’s We look forward to working with current location and loading dock times, customers, dealers, and suppliers to enabling them to better schedule pickup tackle the technology opportunities of Artist drawings of future models and delivery of loads, and further enhanc- the future. aei

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