Freightliner Shows Truck Productivity Computer
Combining a robust vehicle computer with AM/FM stereo, and weatherband receiver global positioning system (GPS) and a compact disc player, Freightliner's new Truck Productivity Computer is designed to meet the information, communications, and entertainment needs of 21st Century truck operators. The Truck Productivity Computer fits into the standard radio slot in a truck dashboard.
It will be available for Freightliner, Sterling, American LaFrance, and Thomas Built Buses. Production begins in the second half of 2000. Freightliner also plans to sell the device on the aftermarket for all truck makes.
The on-board computer is designed specifically for vehicle applications. The Hitachi SH4 166 MHz processor is capable of performing 300 million instructions per second (MIPS), equivalent in power to many desktop computers. To plug in peripheral devices, the Truck Productivity Computer has two Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections for magnetic card readers, bar code scanners, printers, flatbed scanners, cellular telephones, digital cameras, and game controllers. A keyboard can be plugged into the USB slot, as well as a second full VGA monitor for enhanced display and alphanumeric input. For drivers who want to download information from compatible multi-function devices, such as hand-held or palmtop computers, the unit has an infrared serial port (IrDA).
Wireless Communications The Truck Productivity Computer can provide the driver interface for wireless communications systems, such as those that transmit messages and data via satellite, specialized mobile radio, or cellular networks. It will display incoming messages, which the driver can acknowledge by manipulating the unit's controls. An RS-232 serial port connects to satellite systems, cellular modems, and other existing wireless equipment.
"Truck Productivity Computer can serve as the platform for a multitude of mobile computing applications," said Paul Menig, director of electrical/electronic engineering for Freightliner Corporation. He said that combined with the appropriate hardware and operating software, it can display pick-up and delivery information, display turn-by-turn directions to the delivery location, send confirmation messages to dispatch, or transmit location information to dispatch. It can download vehicle information using magnetic cards, send information on vehicle and component performance, or transmit imaged documents like bills of lading. It can download and transmit information from barcode scanners or hand-held computers, print driver paperwork, send and receive e-mail, access the Internet, and allow the driver to play computer games.
Information Display Truck Productivity Computer is connected to the truck data link (SAE J1587) and can provide key information on vehicle status, fuel usage, engine operation, and diagnostics. The device will let the driver check miles driven for a whole trip or current leg, monitor fuel economy while driving, and record current oil pressure, water pressure, and other vital signs.
"Similar to the way Freightliner's Driver Message Center displays information on the truck's operation, Truck Productivity Computer will communicate vehicle status," Menig said. The Driver Message Center is Freightliner's in-dash display unit, which is standard on the Century Class S/T heavy-duty truck.
Global Positioning The computer has an integrated global positioning system (GPS) for determining the precise location of the truck. GPS data can be fed into vehicle tracking software to communicate truck location information to dispatch. A separate GPS antenna is required.
The computer incorporates the truck's AM/FM stereo/receiver and a compact disc player. The CD player also functions as a CD-ROM drive for loading data, programs, or games into the computer.
Menig said the computer will offer only a limited amount of functionality while the truck is moving. Freightliner plans to offer voice-recognition capability for the device, letting the driver talk to the computer. The unit has the capability to convert text messages to speech, essentially reading the message so drivers never have to take their eyes off the road.
Truck Productivity Computer runs on Microsoft Windows CE, a 32-bit operating system that is designed for a broad range of communications, entertainment, and mobile computing devices. Windows CE makes possible new categories of non-PC business and consumer devices that can communicate with each other, share information with Windows-based personal computers, and connect to the Internet.
Freightliner is working with trucking software and communications providers to create applications for Truck Productivity Computer. One of the first third-party programs will be a navigation package from ALK Associates, Princeton, New Jersey. ALK manufactures the PC*Miler software package.
Proprietary Software Freightliner also plans to create its own proprietary software. Two programs under development include a Driver Performance Monitor that will track information related to fuel economy, trip miles, segment miles, and other performance criteria and a Logistics Manager program that will coordinate tracking and dispatch, as well as remote diagnostics. With the proper software, Truck Productivity Computer also could record driver hours-of-service, Menig concludes.