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Inside the cell walls The high cost of lithium-ion batteries is a prison that has largely kept electric vehicles off the street; the keys to their release are more effective—but not more expensive—cell chemistries.

Biofuel opportunities and pitfalls Annual growth in biofuels has been strong but is expected to slow in the near future. User interfaces going mainstream Off-highway HMIs use consumer technologies to add functions, simplify tasks. Reducing the environmental impact of hydraulic systems OEMS and their suppliers are creating new hydraulic systems and components, using new fluids and remanufacturing to save energy and reduce the environmental impact of off-highway equipment. Multiple controllers add to EV complexity Model-based design has revolutionized the way products are developed, with design shifting from parts to the whole.

Tackling biodiesel's technical challenges Caterpillar researchers are working to mitigate biodiesel's negative effects on engine components and aftertreatment systems. More for less Telematic systems are offering more features and functions for lower prices. Improving actuation speed and controllability With high-speed hydraulic proportional valves, the performance of existing cam phasing systems can be improved or the actuation mechanisms can be applied directly to engine valve actuation.

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.

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.

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.

Editorial Making Safety Standard The Navigator Sensor Monoculture is a Terrible Idea 3D-printed Radar Rises Toward Production Lunewave's unique Luneburg-lens technology aims to simplify vehicle radar arrays - and deliver better ADAS and AV performance. Accelerating Automotive Radar NXP's new, fifth-generation chipsets unleash 16-nm FinFet technology to the ADAS and AV markets. Autonomy's Computing Backbone Cloud-computing networks are speeding AV development and preparing to manage tomorrow's data-reliant AV fleets. Get in Line Evolving truck-platooning techniques are paving unique paths to high-level commercial vehicle autonomy. Ford in 'No-hands' Land BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist is available later this year for the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 pickup. ADAS-equipped Trucks Save Bucks Bosch research finds one specific driver-assistance feature may reduce costs associated with property damage by up to 35% for Class 7 and 8 trucks.

Connectivity continues its advance More OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are focusing on embedded telematic systems, hoping to displace aftermarket hardware. Tailoring fuel injection to control NOx The next big step to help heavy-duty diesel engines meet stricter emissions regulations involves adapting the fuel-injection system to the combustion needs. Active on safety Crash-avoidance technologies are vital "building blocks" to automate commercial vehicles, implement truck platooning and ultimately achieve zero accidents. Engineering with simulation and data Companies are discovering new simulation techniques, especially optimization; the next step is to combine simulation with sensor data and predictive analytics to create even more robust off-highway equipment.

Next-generation power Additional benefits for commercial customers may drive hybrid technology adoption. Shake and bake: a recipe for testing Vehicles, components endure much in-lab abuse before they enter the commercial-vehicle market. Fuel for thought The performance and emissions of a stationary single-cylinder diesel engine is evaluated using an ethanol blend with diesel and jet fuels.

The diesel engine diet Researchers correlate engine performance and durability with the properties of alternative fuels that consist of vegetable oils and animal fats. Looking at a safer future Software, other sensors will augment cameras as safety's role in the off-highway industry takes an upward spiral. Plastics expand their range From high-speed train exterior panels to powertrain components, plastics and composite materials are finding their way into more off-highway applications.

What we have here is a desire to communicate Telematic service and equipment providers are racing to gain market share in what's expected to become a solid long-term market. Sizing up accumulators No other feature of a hydraulic hybrid has more effect on the end performance of the powertrain than the accumulator. modeling helps to provide specific guidance with regard to establishing pre-charge pressure. Beating a path to biodiesel Multiple pathways are being pursued to increase biodiesel use, reduce dependence on petroleum, and improve the environment, but the best route is not yet known.

Making sense of engines Heavy-duty equipment is known for its ruggedness in harsh environments, but vehicles are not neglecting their sensitive side. The world's fastest digger gets closer JCB's Dieselmax goes 350 mph and teaches engineers much about engine capability, extreme testing, and program management. The whole system, and nothing but the system Properly implemented, an electrohydraulic system can add a great deal of automatic control, advanced performance, advanced diagnostics, and remote monitoring to a mobile application. Regenerative hydraulics The use of multiple hydraulic pumps can satisfy the needs of various circuits in off-highway equipment. The gas is greener Biofuels promise to help reduce petroleum cinsumption and CO2 emissions, but much of the potential depends on production and infrastructure investments. Material returns Effective use of materials information is important to engineers in development of parts and components.

Lightpipe design According to Breault Research Organization, any off-highway instrument or control that needs illumination is a candidate for a lightpipe to take light from where it is generated to where it is needed. The biodiesel choice Experts from the Natural Biodiesel Board believe it is time to consider alternatives to the current fuel structure. One solution to rising fuel prices is the pursuit of biodiesel fuels. Understanding machining difficulties in gray iron Bosch Braking Systems' engineers look more closely than usual at iron brake rotor samples to give new insights into critical characteristics of the material. Caterpillar mining for customers With commodity prices low, Caterpillar wants to make mining as productive an enterprise as possible for customers.

Materials mature The growth of air travel has always been dependent on the development of materials technology for structures and engines. Keeping track of production Aircraft manufacturers are making greater use of RFID and bar code technology, while also using new software that helps them keep production lines running smoothly. Breaking records via fuel management Onboard sensors reported lower-than-expectedfuel-tank readings not far into the around-the-world flight of the GlobalFlyer, jeopardizing the entire mission.

F-35 manufacturing ergonomics addressed Human-factors simulation from Delmia is playing a key role as Northrop Grumman tools up for work on the Joint Strike Fighter. Keeping it together: design, development, and maintenance It is only in relatively recent years that the full meaning of integrating manufacturing and maintenance as part of the design and development processes has been grasped by the aerospace industry. Exploring the boundaries of our solar system SAE 100 Future look: In addition to helping enable NASA's new vision of taking humans back to the moon and paving the way to Mars and beyond, two robotics space science missions are preparing to explore the outermost and innermost edges of our solar system. What's on the horizon for space SAE 100 Future look: Dramatic changes in the Earth's climate are certain to drive humanity's search for alternative fuel sources.

High hopes or just dreaming? A look at how Asia's aircraft manufacturers are trying to break into new markets to challenge the status quo. Camelina-based biofuel shows advantages in turboprop Researchers within the government of Canada see the need to improve the emissions performance of the Rolls-Royce T56 engine, which despite its age remains a workhorse for its military aircraft fleet.

Tech Highlights: 2002 Mondial de L'Automobile European editor Stuart Birch gives a run down of some of the significant vehicle and technology debuts at the Paris Motor Show, beginning with the French automakers. Supply-chain trends With increased responsibility for modules and warranties, automotive suppliers are finding innovative ways to manage their supply chains. Sports car racing technology Le Mans series race car engineering reach a high-water mark in 2002, but will likely recede in 2003. Innovation at DaimlerChrysler Chairman and CEO Jurgen Schrempp believes that in the next 15 years, car technology and design will move ahead more rapidly than at any time in the past half century--and that almost everything except the basic four-wheel layout could change. Escape Hybrid is a showstopper Ford in 2003 will launch the world's first production hybrid-electric SUV, which will be the subject of much discussion at this month's 2002 SAE International Truck & Bus Meeting & Exhibition.

Like a rolling home Suppliers are helping automakers engineer vehicles that allow passengers to bring along the comforts of home. Focusing on distraction An explosion of new features, functions poses challenges for safety. Performance goes green With record-high fuel prices and CO2 concerns providing the impetus, automakers are developing more fun-to-drive cars with an eye towards efficiency. GM re-engineers pickips More refined ride, higher-quality interiors, and greater efficiency are some of the highlights of the 2007 models. Jeep takes on tough terrain For 2007, the brand's iconic Wrangler is engineered to be more rugged off-road and more refined on it. Audi updates TT theme The second-generation rendition is bigger, more powerful, and uses a subtle metals mix and match. Vantage: as Aston to the core A common platform strategy is a vital element of the company's design and manufacturing flexibility.

Avoiding crashes through engineering Sensor fusion and FlexRay adoption pose big challenges for active-safety systems developers. Sounds of silence NVH analysis comes into the spotlight as traditional targets are addressed and new trouble spots are uncovered. Fuel cells power up As the alternative-propulsion technology moves from lab to limited production, car makers are looking for new design solutions and materials to reduce costs.

Systems drive safety Engineers are using a holistic approach to design safer vehicles by adding function and integrating multiple subsystems. The gas in greener Biodiesels promise to help reduce petroleum consumption and CO2 emissions, but much of the potential depends on production and infrastructure investment. Good vibrations Instead of excising all noise, vibration, and harshness, engineers are focusing more on making specific sounds and feedback "fit" a vehicle. SAE Commercial Vehicle Congress Preview International Truck and Engine executives head the charge for "positive industry change" at SAE's third Congress for the on- and off-highway communities.