Wabco announces trailer connectivity and diagnostics system

Internet connectivity is taking over all aspects of industry and daily life; creating a network of devices, appliances and tools that all talk to one another. Trucks have been no exception to this data-driven trend over the past few years – and now Wabco is ensuring trailers are included as well.

Known as a global supplier of braking control systems and other technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, Wabco has announced it will launch its new trailer monitoring and remote diagnostics solution, TX-Trailerpulse, in June 2019.

This trailer-focused internet connectivity solution combines real-time track-and-trace functionality with additional remote trailer health and diagnostic information.

The solution is said to be a first of its kind, “combining both trailer tracking and advanced remote diagnostic in one solution at a price level that allows fleet-wide deployment across all trailer types”. The system can be installed from factory or as a retrofit option for fleets.

“An incredible 70 percent of today’s operational trailers in Europe are not equipped with any form of connectivity solution,” says Philippe Colpron, Wabco vice president and fleet solutions global business leader.

“TX-Trailerpulse offers a cost-effective way to optimally track and manage trailers and is agnostic to the trailer type, enabling fleets with mixed cargo to apply the technology.

“We are able to achieve this by building on the strength and power of internet and cloud connectivity, enabling our customers to better optimise vehicle maintenance schedules and increase operational productivity of fleets,” adds Colpron.

The system connects directly to the trailer electronic braking system (TEBS and captures and processes TEBS and trailer diagnostics data via the web-based TX-Trailerfit portal.

Here, the technical health of the trailer is assessed and the portal can provide, for example, root cause indication and repair hints. In addition, users can monitor the TEBS use over a trailer’s lifetime and check critical TEBS events. Health and diagnostic insights can be shared easily and securely with workshops and service partners.

Wabco says this builds a digitally connected repair and maintenance chain, creating a direct positive impact on the total uptime of fleet vehicles.

Vehicles already equipped with Wabco’s TX-Sky fleet-management solution can easily integrate TX-Trailerpulse into their existing back-office platform.

“As the industry evolves, we are working to support our customers to transition to and be successful in an ever-evolving transportation world. TX-Trailerpulse is a direct response to the current market demand for such advanced, cost-efficient, digital fleet-management systems,” Colpron says.

According to Enoch Silcock, area leader southern Africa at Wabco South Africa, the local launch date for this product is still to be advised. “The product still needs to go through Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) approval and certification. This could still take some time to be concluded,” he says.