Volvo Trucks: Using Technology To Overhaul The Industry

One of the major goals of Volvo trucks is to not just keep its place as a leader in the transportation industry – they want to change the face of trucking. Speaking in Washington, D.C. at the lend of last month, Lars Stenqvist, the CTO for Volvo, stated Volvo trucks want to change the trucking industry through automation, electromobility, and connectivity.

Connectivity At All Levels

The trucking industry relies on transparency and communication at every step of the supply chain. Through the use of sensors, cloud-based software, RFID, and blockchain technology, Volvo trucks are planning to keep people informed about shipments at all stages of the process. From monitoring individual items in a shipment to reduce the need for expensive recalls on damaged or defective products, to sensors to manage the wear and tear on the trucks themselves, Volvo believes that there is no such thing as too much information. By implementing connectivity throughout the supply chain, customers, distributors, fleet owners, drivers, and everyone else in between can stay informed and reduce costs across the board.

Volvo Trucks And Alternative Energy Sources

Lars Stenqvist dismissed the idea that traditional combustion engines are nearing obsolescence. However, he put forward that hybrid and fully electric engines could reduce fuel consumption and increase productivity, while reducing costs for the trucking industry. With various states in the U.S. pushing legislation for cleaner running commercial vehicles, and the recent increase in the cost of petroleum products, making the switch may be a more cost-effective move in the long run. Stenqvist noted that electric engines are becoming more powerful, and experience much less strain than conventional petrol-powered engines.

Volvo Trucks And Self-Driving Vehicles

Not a day goes by when we aren’t hit with the latest news about self-driving trucks. Automated commercial vehicles seem like they are simultaneously right around the corner and decades away from becoming a reality. Volvo trucks are currently testing self-driving commercial vehicles in an underground mine, with a driver walking ahead of the truck itself. The technology is there to make long hauls, but Volvo trucks are being tested on a smaller scale, to ensure safety with more immediate hazards and pedestrian traffic. Volvo has always been committed to safety with all of their vehicles, and while the larger picture is in place, being able to have Volvo trucks automatically, successfully, and safely navigate city traffic is currently the focus of the company.