At the IAA Commercial Vehicles show, Knorr-Bremse and TIP Trailer Services were presented with the Trailer Innovation Award 2015 in the Smart Trailer category.
The jury was impressed by the iTAP system with FleetRemote functionality. iTAP is a remote control system for trailer functions. It enables these functions to be controlled with a smartphone or tablet in much the same way as with a remote control device. In addition, in combination with FleetRemote technology, it can also handle specific telematics functions.
In the past, data communication between tractor and trailer has only been possible to a limited extent. Certain data and functions are only accessible via displays and switches permanently installed on the vehicle. And in many cases these are not easy to access. Now the driver can use the iTAP app and WiFi interface to contact the iTAP system on the trailer which in turn transmits the commands to the brake control and chassis management systems. This way the driver can check the tire pressure and temperature at each individual wheel, for example. Or he can control the lift axle and use the intelligent air suspension to raise or lower the trailer or select a pre-programmed ramp height.
“In 2014, more than 80 innovations from the trailer sector were entered for the Trailer Innovation Award. We are very proud that the jury of trailer experts has shown such appreciation and recognition for iTAP which offers fleet operators and truck drivers in particular greater safety, comfort and efficiency in and around their vehicles,” said a delighted Hinrich J. Woebcken, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG who stepped up to receive the award.
The next step in the development process is to equip iTAP with FleetRemote functionality – a joint project involving Knorr-Bremse and TIP Trailer Services. All of the data recorded by the brake control and chassis management systems, such as tire pressure, odometer reading, braking processes and error messages are transmitted to the FleetRemote server via public WiFi access points. The FleetRemote platform uses the processed data to moni-tor and analyze the condition of the trailer. This way, potential faults can be spotted in good time and condition-based maintenance becomes feasible.
“Our close collaboration in this area with TIP Trailer Services, Europe’s leading equipment services company, has meant that from the outset our development work has been focused on the needs of fleet operators, the end users of our products. As a result, FleetRemote will be tailored to the specific market requirements in the trailer sector,” comments Ansgar Fries, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH.
Peter Sijs, Services and Sourcing Operations Leader for TIP Trailer Services adds: “We are really delighted with this achievement. It is a huge step forward in connectivity and trailer health diagnostics and receiving the trailer innovation award, jointly with Knorr-Bremse, is certainly an honor.”