WABCO India enhances trailer safety; launches Intelligent Trailer Programme
WABCO India Limited, a leading supplier of technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, recently demonstrated its pioneering Intelligent Trailer Programme at WABCO India’s test track in Chennai.
WABCO’s award-winning Intelligent Trailer Programme, an industry-first initiative now being launched in India, brings advanced technology to India’s important growth market. It leverages the capabilities of WABCO’s trailer anti-lock or electronic braking control systems to provide a platform for up to 40 innovative trailer operating functions.
Designed to enhance trailer safety, security and efficiency, the Intelligent Trailer Programme offers significant added value for the trailer manufacturers, fleet operators and cargo owners. Enabling customers to select the functions most relevant to their specific needs, the program offers a powerful range of customizable solutions to enhance operating safety, as well as reduce transportation and fuel costs. The Intelligent Trailer Programme also paves the way for India’s trailer industry to upgrade from basic braking systems to the next level of advanced braking and suspension technologies required for higher levels of vehicle automation.
“We are proud to demonstrate WABCO’s award-winning Intelligent Trailer Programme for the first time in India’s important and dynamic growth market. As a leading global technology innovator, WABCO is unique in its capability to integrate truck and trailer control systems expertise. The launch of our pioneering Intelligent Trailer Programme in India demonstrates WABCO’s commitment to deliver sustained value to the trailer market through enhanced operational efficiency, safety and security,” Jacques Esculier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, WABCO, said.
WABCO has demonstrated 6 key functionalities tied to the Intelligent Trailer Programme, including the Trailer Anti-Lock Braking function, Roll Stability support, TailGURAD, OptiTire, OptiLevel and OptiLink. WABCO supports the Indian Government’s Automotive Indian Standard (AIS). Based on Trailer Code AIS 113, it mandates the fitment of Trailer Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) on all trailers manufactured and registered in India from April 2018.
Trailer ABS optimises vehicle control during emergency braking. It controls vehicle wheel slip, maintaining its ability to steer and providing added stability while braking. Maximising the effectiveness of braking on all types of roads and in all weather conditions, Trailer ABS also helps to extend the tyre life of trailers.
“Aimed at reducing the number of road accidents and delivering enhanced operational efficiency to the trailer market, we are excited to bring WABCO’s innovative Intelligent Trailer Programme in India. WABCO is ready with globally proven technologies to fully support the Government of
India’s mandate for enhanced braking functionality once it is enacted. Underlining WABCO’s technology leadership, the Intelligent Trailer Programme offers solutions that will greatly advance safety and efficiency to support trailer manufacturers and fleet operators in India,” P Kaniappan, Managing Director, WABCO India, said.
WABCO’s advanced Trailer Electronic Braking System (T-EBS) is required to leverage the full scope of the Intelligent Trailer Program. T-EBS optimises stopping distances and controls trailer brake and suspension functions. The system also enables the trailer to connect drivers, fleets and cargo owners to rich sources of onboard systems and operational information. Both ABS and EBS can be retrofitted to a broad range of trailers.
WABCO in India, with the Intelligent Trailer Programme, is keen to offer significant value addition to the trailer manufacturers and fleet operators. Enabling customers to select the functions most relevant to their specific needs, the programme offers a powerful range of customisable solutions to elevate operating safety, and to reduce transportation and fuel costs. Paving the way for the trailer industry in India to upgrade from basic braking systems to the next level of advanced braking and suspension systems, thereby bringing more automation, WABCO is confident of reducing accidents due to failure of systems in trailers.
The intelligent trailer programme could be estimated to add significantly to the revenues of the Indian subsidiary with large fleets looking at enhancing safety and cutting costs. Enhancing the value of stand-alone technologies like trailer ABS that WABCO has been offering, the Intelligent Trailer Programme takes the concept of safety related to trailers to a new level altogether. Given the shift to higher tonnage commercial vehicles in a post-GST scenario, and with the development of infrastructure, market requirements have been changing. The entry of international fleet is also driving a change.
The need to cut costs, assuming a different dimension in the wake of rising fuel prices and seemingly stubborn freight rates, the Intelligent Trailer Programme should add to the company’s bottom line in India. With functions like creating an environment where the driver and the fleet manager to access 18 trailer-control and monitoring functions, the widest range accessible through a single mobile device, the effect on safety will be highly positive.
The availability of real-time information allowing fleet to further improve vehicle safety and efficiency from the protection of the cab or a nearby position, functions like OptiLink, in a BS-IV and BS-VI scenario, would enhance operational effectiveness and provide the fleet operator with fast and easy access to key trailer data. Another important function, OptitTire, detects early leakage of air from the tyre, help maintain optimum tyre pressure and achieve the best efficiency, elevates safety by measuring the air temperature of the tyre, and supports telematics connectivity.
Operating 5 manufacturing facilities across India, an advanced technology development centre, a vehicle testing facility and a nation-wide aftermarket distribution and services network, WABCO in India, has been driving rigorous development in the area of software and hardware. Said to be a production hub for actuators, and the second pillar of global source of value for WABCO, the Indian operations, in FY 2016-17 reported sales of Rs 2103 crore.
Originating from the Westinghouse Air Brake Company founded nearly 150 years ago, WABCO continues to pioneer breakthrough innovations to enable autonomous driving in the commercial vehicle industry. Today, leading truck, bus and trailer brands worldwide rely on WABCO’s differentiating technologies, including advanced driver assistance, braking, steering and stability control systems. WABCO is also at the forefront of advanced fleet management systems. In 2017, WABCO reported sales of $3.3 billion and has nearly 15,000 employees in 40 countries.