Posts

Daimler’s Future Truck 2025 is Up and Running

/in /by

In an amazing feat of trucking technology, Daimler has released its Future Truck 2025, a truck that can drive itself while allowing its driver can be much more productive and safer behind the wheel.

The truck is designed to constantly communicate with surrounding vehicles and objects to allow multiple vehicles to travel closely together. The truck is even smart enough to anticipate necessary maintenance and repairs.

The world premiere of the self-driving truck was recently made on a new section of the Autobahn near Magdeburg, Germany. The tractor trailer combination was put through a series of real-world driving situations including interspersed traffic and multiple speed tests and test including getting out of the way of emergency vehicles. The vehicle passed the tests, responding smoothly to the tests without requiring any driver interaction.

The truck features many significant advances in trucking technology, including the artificial intelligence-like Highway Pilot assistance system, which operates very much like an auto-pilot system in airplanes. In addition to this technology, the truck also features an innovative computer and sensor system including advanced onboard data processing and communication tools and advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and blind spot monitoring.

Especially interesting for our Progressive Truck School graduates might be the improved driver’s experience including the ability to relax and switch to autonomous mode, accessible through a button on the armrest. The actual driver’s seat moves backwards and pivots up to 45 degrees for an optimal seating position, which allows enough room to stretch out like you’re sitting in a recliner.

The driver will always be in total control of the cab, as any manual steering, braking, or accelerating will override the auto-drive technology to give control back to the driver.

Now is a great time to join the trucking industry as a driver!  Apply here.

Weigh My Truck App Now Available for iPhone, iPad

/in /by

New technology in trucking is often put towards improving equipment and process. Now, a new iPhone app is looking to put new technology into the hands, or should we say iPhones, of drivers.

Cat Scale Co. has announced that its popular Weigh My Truck app is now available on iPhone and iPad. The app allows drivers to weigh their truck, have weights displayed on their smartphone, and pay for the transaction within the app via PayPal, all without ever having to leave their vehicle.

Using the app is simple: drivers create an account that stores their basic information and email preferences, along with a record of past weigh transactions.

The app also includes the ability to email a PDF copy scale ticket or weight information as a text file to up to 5 email addresses that the driver specifies. In the event that a driver still needs a hard copy scale ticket, they can opt to pick up a printed CAT scale ticket at the fuel desk after weighing in with the Weigh My Truck app.

As of this posting, Weight My Truck is now available on the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store.

To learn more about joining the fast-moving trucking industry, contact a Progressive Admissions Adviser: 773.736.5522

Password Protected Trucks Now Part of Peterbilt Line

/in /by

In an attempt to decrease theft of Peterbilt trucks, Peterbilt Motors Co. is now offering a new system that requires drivers to enter a password to start the truck.

At Progressive Truck School, we’re excited to see that new technology is helping to decrease theft in our industry.

Truckers enter the password into a 5-inch screen on the instrument panel, within the driver information center. After the code is entered, the engine must be started within six minutes, or the code will need to be re-entered.

To ensure that drivers won’t be locked out of their system, passwords can be changed and the Peterbilt service department can activate or deactivate the system.

The system is available on Models 579 and 567 equipped with Paccar MX-13 Engines.  The anti-theft system is now available for order.

To learn more about CDL certification, contact a Progressive Truck School admissions adviser at: 773.736.5522