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Executive Viewpoints Industry leaders offer their insights on the state of the heavy-duty on- and off-highway industries in this annual series of opinion pieces. The executives share their views on the most pressing technologies and trends shaping their business and the industry moving forward. Alternative power and connectivity top of mind Using power dense flywheel hybrid technology to cut fuel consumption of OH equipment IoT connections transform manufacturing, vehicle validation Annual Product Guide Supplier Directory Complete listing of industry suppliers categorized by technology area.

Hyliion shifts focus from propulsion to power generation Prime power and EV charging are two areas that can benefit from the Karno linear generator beginning later this year. Intensifying pursuit of autonomous trucks Daimler Truck and Torc have established a clear roadmap that brings SAE level 4 trucks to the U.S. market by 2027. Commercial-truck EV fleets slow to grow Even for the largest players, the underdeveloped charging ecosystem is hampering commercial-truck fleets' electrification efforts.

Virtual powertrain development Simulation is critical for efficient product development, but proper tool selection and efficient data management are keys to success. Blue Arc amps up for EV production Shyft Group's EV subsidiary is lighting the path for the electrification of last-mile delivery vehicles as well as mobile charging solutions. Increasing connectivity in construction Jobsites look to overcome challenges posed by mixed fleets and proprietary telematics to achieve "one-dashboard" vision and increased machine utilization.

Hydrogen generates buzz in power generation Companies target stationary power applications to prove their hydrogen technology and to build scale until infrastructure expands for mobility. 'Mixed' approach to e-truck manufacturing Volvo Group CTO details the OEM's "mixed model assembly" strategy for battery and fuel-cell electric vehicles and provides insights on infrastructure and the transition to autonomous. Innovation at the intersection of disciplines Caterpillar alum Sri Srinath, Ph.D., focuses on more collaboration and mentoring in his new role as 2022 SAE International president.

Bigger processors, smaller engines Engine designers are using electronics, networks to downsize engines while upping performance, efficiency and NVH characteristics. A testing powerhouse Allison Transmission's new Vehicle Environmental Test center in Indianapolis is open for business for external and in-house customers alike. 'Revolutionizing' digital hydraulics Volvo CE teams with Norrhydro to commercialize an advanced electro-hydraulic system that promises fuel-efficiency gains of up to 50%.

ICE advances Engine developers employ revised electronic architectures, mechanical tweaks to boost fuel efficiency, performance of internal-combustion engines. Autonomous construction sites Equipment makers are testing the emerging technologies required to advance automation beyond individual machines. Modeling electric motors How to develop a traction drive using a multiphysics-based approach with 3D modeling and simulation. Solving the "telehandler problem" Two-stage overcenter valves create stability in machines with highly dynamic loads. Engineering the world's fastest tractor JCB worked with design and engineering specialists to build a spectacular speed record-breaker that topped 150 mph.

Over-the-air affair Remote updating of software and firmware on commercial trucks and off-highway machines is on the rise, not only for maintenance functions but also to add new features like operator-assist technology. Developments in engine-based gensets With demand for generator sets steady and regulatory change settling, suppliers can rationalize their offerings and push improvements in areas like noise abatement and economy. Testing, testing and even more testing The commercial-vehicle market is eager to adopt more ADAS and automated-driving innovations, but before those technologies get to the road they must first pass rigorous testing practices that prove their efficacy. Smart and connected powertrains FPT Tech Day reveals multi-power Cursor X concept, other "4.0 innovations" for hydrogen fuel cell, electric and natural gas propulsion.

Electrification not a one-size-fits-all solution Efforts in the off-highway industry have been under way for decades, but the technology still faces implementation challenges. SuperTruck redux A year plus into phase two of the promising DOE program to dramatically improve freight efficiency, project leads from three of the participating truck OEMs share their progress thus far and technology paths moving forward. From research to reality Danfoss works closely with off-highway OEMs throughout the development process, testing and demonstrating machines packed with new technology features. Big Data a focus for 2018 SAE President Mircea Gradu Velodyne CQO sees use of Big Data as a way to capitalize on multiple industry trends including vehicle electrification and automated vehicles.

The next phase Meeting Phase 2 fuel efficiency and GHG emissions for heavy trucks will require multiple technology pathways-some of which are still on the horizon. Active vibration damping for construction machines An innovative concept for an active system to reduce machine oscillations based on frequency identification. Consumer electronics come on board Smartphones and tablets are likely to play a large role in HMIs for heavy vehicles-if productivity and safety are not compromised. Patton's new campaign As new SAE International President for 2017, Doug Patton will advocate STEM, "cultivation" of prospective young engineers. PACCAR's Sproull primed for SAE Commercial Vehicle post As SAE International's new 2017-2020 Commercial Vehicle Sector VP, Landon Sproull intends to bolster the society's involvement in evolving industry regulations and to better cultivate cross-sector alliances.

Perkins bets big on smaller engine The new 2600 Series 13-liter engine for off-highway machines will do more with less thanks to variable geometry turbocharging. BorgWarner targets more- sustainable e-motors System optimization and lifecycle analysis are key to taking heavy rare earths out of next-gen motors for commercial EVs. Enhancing digital platforms with CT data analysis TE Connectivity gains critical insights using Volume Graphics software throughout design, simulation and manufacturing.

Steel sector aids sustainability Volvo Group partners with SSAB on 'green steel' for off-highway machines and with Ovako for access to fossil-free hydrogen. CV autonomy: Picking the 'low-hanging fruit' Increasingly automated commercial vehicles offer challenges and opportunities in simulation, data management and standardization. Developing EV-specific lubes As electric-vehicle technology accelerates, dedicated e-fluids are necessary to maintain proper levels of drivetrain performance. Editorial Real-world emphasis on electric Mahle, Liebherr develop active pre-chamber for hydrogen ICE ABS ramps up commercial-vehicle battery-pack assembly Navistar updates A26 engine, improves FE by 4% Bosch debuts new CV-specific electric motor and inverter Western Star adds 'weight sensitive' 47X to vocational lineup Hyundai CE launches next-gen electric forklift Q&A Mahle's Laurent Art discusses thermal-management challenges, solutions for battery and fuel-cell electric commercial vehicles.

Battery of issues surrounds large-vehicle electrification Converting heavy-duty vehicles to battery power will require advances in weight reduction and thermal management. Autonomy kicks up some dust Machines that move, haul and plow earth can capitalize on autonomous systems today via increased safety and productivity in the field and significant cost savings. Digitalizing to deliver actionable data Mobile hydraulics expert details key trends in controls and IoT connectivity to improve machine design and end-user operations.

Heavy-duty engine design What are the most significant factors influencing the way engine developers approach near-term design and development cycles? Two experts provide their insights from recent programs. Reducing winter range loss for electric trucks Researchers at the Austrian Institute of Technology have developed an air exchange system that's capable of reducing heat load by 37% in real-world tests. Narrower focus, bigger payoff Design teams are targeting focused markets for their commercial electric-vehicle programs to combat challenges like range and infrastructure. Removing complexity for autonomous trucks Narrowing the operating domains for driverless commercial vehicles reduces the requirements of autonomous technology and speeds time to market. Plastics innovations 2019 The 49th annual SPE Automotive Awards highlight the ongoing benefits of lightweight polymers and composites.

Meeting truck autonomy hurdles head-on Combining sensors, inter-vehicle communications and controllers poses major challenges in the effort to bring greater levels of automation to commercial trucking. Simulation key to additive manufacturing analysis Advanced simulation tools help to optimize 3D printing processes before physical build. Making the case for battery-electric fleet power Battery systems edge closer to a tipping point as commercial and heavy-duty fleets broaden their application. Electrified forklifts go big Hoist Liftruck brings full electrification to some of the biggest forklift trucks, motivated only in part by regulatory pressures.

Enhancing truck-sensor modularity Kodiak Robotics' fifth-generation sensor stack and new SensorPods boost sensor and GPU performance and improve power efficiency. Bosch high on hydrogen The supplier is committed to all facets of the H2 economy as volume production of its power module kicks off for Nikola's Class 8 fuel-cell truck. Constructing bus structures with stainless steel Outokumpu and collaborators show a possible weight reduction of up to 35% by using high-strength stainless steel in place of carbon steel. Volta Zero is U.S. bound The startup plans to apply lessons learned in Europe to the U.S. market, bringing a "small fleet" of electric trucks for potential customers by the end of the year.

Deere advances in-field autonomy While stereo cameras and computer vision guide Deere's "limited- release" 8R autonomous tractor, Bear Flag's lidar tech will augment future machines. Positioning to centimeter-level improves agriculture Precision-navigation approaches that emphasize backward compatibility help farms reap more value from autonomous operations. Funding, mandates fuel commercial-vehicle electrification Legislators provide the impetus to electrify trucks and buses, leading to several engineering challenges.

Accelerating truck autonomy Platform-agnostic interfaces, field data analytics and smart diagnostics will help the commercial-vehicle industry reach SAE Level 4 and 5 operations sooner. Upswing in outsourced EV testing As testing for electric commercial-vehicle propulsion systems surges, Drive System Design is rushing to expand its testing capabilities in the U.S. to keep up with the demand. Global emissions regs demand differing engine strategies The best choice in emissions-reducing technology varies for the U.S. versus Europe and elsewhere, a Jacobs expert details. Precision ag aids sustainability Deere expert Deanna Kovar, a 2021 SAE COMVEC keynoter, provides her thoughts on the future of autonomy, computer vision and machine learning, data management and more.

Big future for e-axles, advanced motors Top transmission engineers claim driveline electrification will transform everything from all-wheel drive to Class 8 tractor-trailers. Big data's benefits keep a-comin' Gigabytes of data are being collected and increasingly mined to improve field operations, maintenance and even vehicle design. Transformative times Despite a challenging climate, technology development progresses - as does the sharing of innovative ideas - virtually. Editorial Zeroing in on zero emissions Softing envisions secure, reliable predictive maintenance Reconstructing accidents in the ADAS age Paving the way to improved truck fuel efficiency Nikola looks to accelerate production, hydrogen infrastructure Mecalac designs unique-pivoting swing loader Q&A' Horiba's Joshua Israel discusses complex regulatory landscape's impact on commercial-vehicle development and shift to electrification.

Electric machines find their niche Smaller machines working in cities are particularly ripe for electrification, but most off-highway applications will retain the internal-combustion engine. Big data, big benefits Data mining helps users and equipment developers use data from on-vehicle sensors to work more efficiently. Data connectivity in harsh environments Ensuring high-speed data transmission requires OEM designers to think more about components, placement and the impact of environmental conditions early in design. Trucks with intuition Perceptive Automata partners with Volvo Trucks to demonstrate AI technology that can determine when pedestrians will cross the road. Change is afoot Cummins and its CTO help focus the 2019 SAE COMVEC on the fast-shifting technology landscape that faces both on- and off-highway sectors. Editorial AI, ADAS & AVs-oh my!

Heavy-duty engine design Increasing regulations and market demands call for cleaner, more durable and fuel-efficient engines. Developers rely on CAE simulation, enhanced test methods and 3D printing to keep up. Switching to comfort mode Switches, knobs and touch panels evolve to reduce operator fatigue. Big on prognostics Smart data-analyzing procedures that support predictive maintenance will help to significantly increase the uptime of heavy-duty vehicles. The "Evolution of Big Data" symposium at SAE COMVEC 2018 addresses such critical topics. Starship road trip Optimized aerodynamics and production-ready technologies propel Shell's Class 8 concept to a 248% freight-ton-efficiency improvement.