Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/140569
technology in focus: Tire pressure monitoring systems All pumped up Integration with OEMs, telematics vendors drive TPMS sales by aaron huff B eing cautious about investing in new technology is wise – especially if the technology has not been tested and validated by peers. One sign that the validation has taken place is when an established technology company chooses to integrate the new technology into its own products. The integration most likely was driven by requests from users of the technology in question. They have bought it, know how it works and trust that the information is reliable enough to pay more money to a separate vendor – such as a telematics provider – for the integration. Tire pressure monitoring systems are a good example of this demanddriven integration. TPMS technology has been designed to function independently of other hardware or software systems on a vehicle. Many providers use a self-contained device that gathers tire pressure and temperature readings from wireless sensors mounted on valve stems or wheel rims. Drivers are notified of abnormal readings on a dash display. As TPMS have grown in popularity, fleets now are able to spec the technology on vehicles directly from the factory and use integrated telematics platforms. Sensor readings from PressurePro's TPMS are displayed on its monitor and are integrated with PeopleNet, Omnitracs and other major telematics platforms. 38 commercial carrier journal CCJ_0713_TechDept.indd 38 | Vehicle integration In 2009, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems acquired the SmarTire TPMS platform and since has made it availDoran Manufacturing's TPMS is integrated with PeopleNet able as a factoryBlu, and the company is working to finalize integration with installed option. other telematics providers. Tire pressure and week all around the world." The prodtemperature alerts now can be displayed by tire location in Volvo's dash uct now is integrated with PeopleNet, cluster, and Paccar soon also will offer Omnitracs and other major telematSmarTire as a factory-installed option, ics platforms. says TJ Thomas, director of marketing Doran Manufacturing's TPMS is inand customer solutions for Bendix's tegrated with RandMcNally's TruckPC Controls group. platform, PeopleNet Blu and SafetyBendix plans to integrate TPMS Trax AVL, and the company is working with a vehicle's other active safety systo finalize integration with other tems so that driver alerts from TPMS, telematics providers, says Jim Samocki, rollover stability control, radar-based general manager. collision warning and other systems Automatic tire inflation systems will be prioritized, Thomas says. installed on the trailer also can be integrated with in-cab telematics. The Mobile communications Meritor system by PSI is designed to Besides notifying drivers of tire prespass information to the tractor's CAN sure problems, fleet managers also bus through the electrical connector can monitor the situation from afar. and also to be integrated directly with TPMS can transmit sensor readings to the vehicle's electronic network, the J1939 CAN bus. From there, it can be picked up by telematics systems and sent to fleet managers through a Web interface or by text messages and e-mails. About three years ago, a number of telematics companies began to contact PressurePro about integrating sensor readings from its TPMS. "Now, it's a full-tilt run," says Phil Bendix plans to integrate its SmarTire Zaroor, president of PressurePro. "We TPMS platform with a vehicle's other acare getting contacted by at least one a tive vehicle safety systems. july 2013 6/21/13 8:20 AM