Power management company Eaton has developed an autonomous driving system for commercial vehicles that will initially allow for self-docking of a commercial truck. The announcement was made here today at the 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles Show.
The Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) Dock Assist feature uses software upgrades to communicate with the control modules in Eaton’s automated manual and dual-clutch automatic transmissions. By controlling the vehicle speed and electronic brake (if a vehicle is equipped with one), the Dock Assist ADAS feature can eliminate damage to a trailer, loading dock and vehicle driveline.
No additional sensors or hardware are required to activate the system. At IAA, Eaton is showcasing two forms of ADAS – Dock Assist which is on a demonstration vehicle equipped with Eaton’s Procision™ medium-duty, dual-clutch transmission, and Autonomous Auto-Docking which is being shown as a concept.
Dock Assist
The system works with the driver of the vehicle positioning the truck with or without a trailer to park at a loading dock. As the vehicle begins moving toward the loading dock, the driver applies the service brake, comes to a stop, and with the flip of a dashboard switch activates the ADAS Dock Assist function. Once activated, the Dock Assist engages the transmission controls to moderate vehicle range and speed. When the transmission “detects” the dock based on the torque being applied while pushing against the dock, the system controls the speed of the truck to ease it into position and allows it to self-park. Dock Assist is an ADAS Level 2 system and cannot operate without a person in the driver’s seat.
“Dock Assist is a practical solution to an industry issue,” said Gerard Devito, chief technology officer, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. “In conversations we have had with a large fleet customer, they estimate an expenditure of $10,000 a month for repairs from damages that occur during the coupling of a tractor or trailer in the loading dock environment. That is money they would not have to spend using Eaton’s ADAS Dock Assist system.”
Autonomous Auto-Docking
This form of Eaton’s ADAS technology involves a tractor or tractor/trailer combination being self-parked in a parking lot or loading dock environment, using GPS technology that allows the vehicle to find its destination without driver intervention. It is particularly useful in distribution center environments because it uses GPS technology to allow a driver to pull a truck and trailer anywhere into the lot and leave it. The lot manager would then be able to command the truck and trailer to autonomously park at a specified dock.
“Autonomous auto-docking is the next level of Eaton’s ADAS with numerous benefits to customers,” Devito said. “From improved productivity due to reduced time to park and drivers dropping trailers to pick up new loads, to eliminating damage to trailers and warehouse docks and reduce labor required in warehouse yards to spot trailers, autonomous auto-docking has the potential to truly change how business is conducted.”
Beyond the self-docking applications, ADAS when integrated with Eaton’s advanced transmission technologies – such as synchronized shifting, advanced gear selection and intelligent speed adaption – could also be used to support vehicle platooning functionality and stop-and-go traffic assistance applications. Eaton is continuing to develop ADAS features to meet the future needs of customers in the growing area of autonomous driving systems.
Eaton is a power management company with 2015 sales of $20.9 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 96,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
