Important Innovations

  2023 Maverick Tremor                                                  Source:  Ford Taking On the Road Less Travelled  Ford is expanding its highly successful Maverick compact pickup truck lineup to include the Maverick Tremor.  It's a highly upgraded off-road package that will be available on the XLT and Lariat models starting this fall to make them much more serviceable off-road.  The price of the Maverick starts at $22,470.  The Tremor package adds $2,995 for a number of new technologies.  The additions include a new, all-wheel-drive system, special front and rear springs and dampers, a one-inch lift and Trail Control. Tech Specs T he XLT and Lariat models have turbocharged 2.0-liter inline, four-cylinder engines.  The Tremor package provides 5 driving modes depending on the type of terrain or if the driver is towing. The Tremor can haul a 1200-pound payload or pull 2000 pounds.  The new, all-wheel-drive system with a twin-clutch rear-drive locking differential sends nearly al

2023 Maverick Tremor                                                  Source:  Ford Taking On the Road Less Travelled  Ford is expanding its highly successful Maverick compact pickup truck lineup to include the Maverick Tremor edition.  It's a highly upgraded off-road package that will be available on the XLT and Lariat models starting this fall to make them much more serviceable off-road.  The price of the Maverick starts at $22,470.  The Tremor package adds $2,995 for a number of new technologies.  The additions include a new, all-wheel-drive system, special front and rear springs and dampers, a one-inch lift to bring it higher off the road and Trail Control. Tech Specs T he XLT and Lariat models have turbocharged 2.0-liter inline, four-cylinder engines.  The Tremor package provides 5 driving modes depending on the type of terrain or if the driver is towing. The Tremor can haul a 1200-pound payload or pull 2000 pounds.  The new, all-wheel-drive system with a twin-clutch rear-driv

Daimler and Volvo's New Fuel Cell Joint Venture Source:  Daimler Toyota's Hydrogen Powered Smart City Volvo and Mercedes' parent company Daimler have announced a joint venture to develop and make hydrogen fuel cell systems for big, heavy duty trucks - the biggest polluters on global highways. Daimler's truck division is spearheading the effort.  Volvo is pouring in $652 million for a 50% stake in the venture.  This new JV is an important look at the future of greener highways. Hydrogen's Advantages Electric vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells have significant advantages.  They provide much longer range, quick refueling times and emit water, not noxious carbon dioxide pollution.  In Japan, both Toyota and Honda are selling fuel cell Electric Vehicles.  In fact, Toyota, in particular, is betting the future will be driven by hydrogen fuel cells.  At the base of Mount Fuji, Toyota is building a sm

AI Controls Trucks Source:  Pelotin Pelotin System: One Driver Driving Two Trucks Simultaneously with AI This is a L4 Automated Following System from Pelotin Technology that lets a driver control multiple trucks at the same time. The company says it is more energy efficient and safer.  This may be the future of tractor trailers on the road thanks to a lot of hi-tech. The concept is that big rigs are safer together with a lot of artificial intelligence behind them. Leading Edge Tech This truck technology is leading edge and relies on a  lot of communications, technologies and algorithms. For example, radar based active brakes, vehicle communications, and specialized vehicle controlled algorithms. A human is driving the front truck, that controls with the enabled technology the truck behind. This is new tech on the cutting edge.

Daimler's Semi that's Semi-Autonomous Source:  Daimler's Cascadia Big Semi-Autonomous Semi Truck Daimler has introduced another notable piece of automotive engineering innovation.  A semi-truck that can haul 80,000 pounds that is semi-autonomous  It's great innovation that can make our roads safer.  For an important news blog on it, go to Important Innovations Collection: Semi-Autonomous Semi-Truck : Daimler's Breakthrough:  New Cascadia Source:  Daimler's Cascadia Semi that's Semi-Autonomous Daimler's Freightliner...  It's by my journalist colleague Ed Kane, who is also the author of six books on innovation across industries   amazon.com/author/ekane

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks Coming to a Highway Near You Hyundai's Prototype Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Zero Emissions and Sustainable Hyundai and Toyota are launching hydrogen fuel cell trucks.  The trucks are green, no greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable and quiet. Hyundai Plan The South Korean automaker plans on deploying 1000 hydrogen fuel cell trucks in Switzerland between 2019 and 2020.  Hyundai says the commercial trucks have an estimated range of 248 miles fueled by 8 onboard hydrogen storage tanks. Refueling takes 7 minutes. Toyota Trucks on the Road Toyota just deployed a big freight truck powered by hydrogen fuel cells.  The truck has a range of 300 miles. Toyota has 3 partners in the project:  the Port of Los Angeles, Shell and Kenworth. They're developing 10 zero emissions trucks.  Toyota is providing fuel cell stacks and tanks, batteries and electric motors that will be put into Kenworth's Class 8 trucks.  Toyota is also providing powertrains and o