Since the introduction of vehicles, cab interiors and sleeper berths have evolved alongside the passenger car segment. But in the early days, driver comfort either was an afterthought or ignored outright.
By the 1970s, serious design efforts were being made to offer comfortable, stylish cab interiors, and that effort continues today, with new entertainment technology, computing devices, social media, the Internet and anti-idling regulations – along with the aforementioned driver concerns – leading a mini-revolution.
And the evolution appears likely to continue: OEMs say the cabs they are designing today soon will offer drivers unprecedented levels of connectivity with both their fleet and family, be more energy-efficient and allow drivers to work smarter and relax better once the workday is through.
“Understanding how drivers use the interiors equipped with the latest technology and meeting the latest regulations is key to developing future driving and living environments,” says Jason Spence, Volvo Trucks’ long-haul product marketing manager. Spence says Volvo will continue to focus on its core objectives of safety, uptime, fuel efficiency and driver productivity when designing new interiors.
“We continually review our truck interiors in order to meet the needs of all drivers,” he says. Volvo’s ergonomic considerations today also consider female operators when designing things such as the steering wheel adjustment mechanism and the location of truck controls close to the steering wheel for easy reach, Spence says.
More choices for drivers
