Technology Briefs - Nov. 1 - Nov. 7
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The Latest Headlines:
- WebTech Inks Deal With Motorola
- Maddocks, SkyBitz to Make Tracking System
- TNT Logistics to Develop RFID System
- Hy-Drive Says New System Reduces Fuel Consumption
- Sirius Radio, DaimlerChrysler Extend Deal
- Maddocks, SkyBitz to Make Tracking System
WebTech Inks Deal With Motorola
Telematics supplier WebTech Wireless said Monday it signed a distribution agreement with Motorola for Motorola to distribute WebTech’s fleet management products and services.WebTech said the agreement, in which Motorola will distribute WebTech’s Quadrant line of systems and services, “reaffirms its commitment to grow its core markets.”
Maddocks, SkyBitz to Make Tracking System
Software company Maddocks Systems said it established an agreement with SkyBitz, a provider of satellite-based tracking systems, to incorporate Skybitz’s Global Locating System technology to operate a new trailer tracking system.Maddocks said it will incorporate the trailer tracking system for a new version of Truckmate, a software package the companies developed together.
The change is designed so that a client can track a trailer even if it is stolen, said Neal Cranna, Maddocks’ marketing manager. The system would alert the user if a trailer were misrouted, thereby reducing out-of-route miles, he said.
While Cranna did not have an estimate of how many fleets will wind up using the new system, Roni Taylor, executive vice president for marketing at SkyBitz, said she expects smaller fleets, especially those with 100 or fewer trucks, to be an important target market.
Cranna said the new system will allow carriers to track trailers without having to rely on a truck’s power unit. Tarun Reddy
TNT Logistics to Develop RFID System
TNT Logistics, the North American division of the Dutch company TNT NV, said it is developing a new system based on radio frequency identification technology to help the automotive industry reduce inventory and improve parts tracking.The system uses a series of wireless sensors and RFID tags to link TNT’s materials sequencing center and a Ford Motor Co. truck assembly plant in Dearborn, Mich., said Terry McIntyre, TNT’s corporate technology services manager.
TNT Logistics North America ranks No. 7 on the transport topics 50 list of the largest logistics companies in the United States and Canada. Transport Topics
Hy-Drive Says New System Reduces Fuel Consumption
Energy technology company Hy-Drive Technologies, Mississauga, Ontario, said its prototype hydrogen generating system for truck engines reduced fuel consumption by 11% in a field test.The company has developed a system that injects small amounts of hydrogen from distilled water into an engine’s combustion chamber in a process that improves fuel efficiency, Hy-Drive said in an Oct. 20 statement. The company also said the system reduces emissions of greenhouse gases.
Hy-Drive said several trucking companies, including a U.S. carrier, were able to improve fuel economy by more than 0.7 mile per gallon.
Tom Brown, Hy-Drive’s chief executive officer, said the latest results included installing the technology in a Freightliner truck and observing fuel efficiency over 16 months. The truck averaged 6.47 mpg using the Hy-Drive system, or 10.6% higher than without the system installed.
The company also said it has sent its G-2 unit to an independent lab for testing to ensure it meets standards established by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The company did not say when the system will be available for sale. Transport Topics
Sirius Radio, DaimlerChrysler Extend Deal
Sirius Satellite Radio and DaimlerChrysler AG said last week they extended their relationship through Sept. 1, 2012.Under terms of the deal, Sirius will be a factory-installed option on all Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, as well as Freightliner Trucks.
Robert Schott, Chrysler Group vice president of worldwide procurement and supplier strategy, said, “Our relationship with Sirius has been a ‘win-win’ for both companies, as the popularity of satellite radio continues to grow.”
Sirius said it delivers more than 120 channels of commercial-free music, talk shows, news and other programming to listeners across the country. Transport Topics
