Road Safety, Rising Oil Prices and the Environment – How Driveline Control Systems Can Help to Master Major Challenges to Road Traffic
WABCO today is the one of the leading transmission automation (AMT) specialist for commercial vehicles. In addition to AMT, WABCO’s driveline controls portfolio includes highly innovative clutch controls, integrated pedal units and retarder control systems.
AMT offers various benefits as it reduces operating costs, fuel consumption and emissions and increases driver comfort. Most importantly, like all WABCO products AMT increases road safety. In a time where global road traffic is steadily increasing, the improvement of road safety is a major issue. Innovative technologies that assist drivers in all situations are crucial to reach this goal. Transmission automation releases the driver from gear shifting effort, thus increasing his comfort and enabling him to focus on the traffic and to stay in control of the vehicle in difficult traffic situations.
Fleet owners are facing significant increases in fuel costs that will continue to challenge their businesses. AMT offers up to 3% fuel savings because of the systems ability to change gears in optimum engine speed range. Further cost benefits for fleet owners are reduced wear and maintenance needs as shift and clutch errors are eliminated. AMT also helps manufacturers reduce costs, as clutch pedals, synchronization and linkages between cab and chassis are not necessary.
More than 20 years of experience in Driveline Controls
Transmission automation is an important industry trend and installations are rapidly increasing. Today, approximately one in two heavy duty trucks built per year is equipped with a transmission automation system. This percentage is expected to increase to 60% in the coming years. WABCO has more than 20 years of experience in driveline controls built up through close development cooperation with major truck and transmission manufacturers. The company built its first transmission automation system in 1985. The number of systems in the market has grown steadily as penetration increased each year. Recently, WABCO celebrated production of its one millionth transmission automation system.
WABCO transmission automation systems are suitable for all heavy and medium duty trucks and buses. The combination of WABCO’s broad knowledge of driveline controls and systems integration experience and the close cooperation with customers enables WABCO to offer complete transmission automation systems tailored to individual customer’s requirements. All systems can be integrated into existing or new vehicle electronic architectures. WABCO will continue to develop its driveline control systems in accordance with customer needs. For example, future trends like hybrid driveline for trucks will have a great impact on transmission automation.
