Photos, video: Truck platooning system with autonomous cruising, braking unveiled in Detroit

Meritor Wabco, Peloton and Denso unveiled Sept. 10 a system that can allow multiple trucks to platoon. The system is based on adaptive cruise control systems and autonomous braking.

The system was showcased at the World Congress for Intelligent Transportation Systems, taking place this week in Detroit. The system is touted as one that can save fuel economy and increase fleet efficiency.

The Peloton system uses DSRC radio technology from Denso and Meritor Wabco’s collision mitigation and safety control systems.

Radio transmissions control all factors of the platooning software, said Peleton’s Chuck Price, the company’s VP of cloud services.

For example, when two trucks are traveling on an open highway and want to platoon, Price says Peloton’s system will identify the location of the trucks, which truck should be routed in front and behind, and the distance that will be kept between the two units.

Then, when the trucks reach a reasonable distance from each other, the two drivers engage switches in the cab that start the program, and the trucks are pulled together to the pre-decided distance.