Have you ever seen a trolley bus
Now picture those same overhead arms mounted on a semi-truck. Siemens and Continental have created a system called eHighway
a pantograph for trucks that hooks onto power lines stretched above the road
With the push of a button, the pantograph rises, locks into the wires and the truck switches to electric power, charging its batteries while it moves
Germany plans to install these lines over 4,000 kilometers of autobahns by 2030
The very route to where long-haul trucks burn two-thirds of the country's diesel
Three test sections are already running, and trucks there use 75% less fuel per hour
Over its lifetime, one tractor saves 38,000 litres of diesel. The German Transport Ministry recommends electrifying the busiest highway stretches
and the system works with any engine, whether it's diesel, hybrid or fully electric
Remember those movie scenes where truck drivers wrestle with a mess of hoses and cables
The AutoConnect system solves that headache in just seven seconds. It's an automatic coupler that hooks up the brake lines, electrical system, CAN bus, and even Ethernet on its own
The driver stays in the cab, presses a button, and everything is ready
It works with all US Class 8 tractor trailers and even autonomous rigs
A built-in computer immediately checks the brakes and electrics, flagging any issues on the display
On large distribution yards, drivers may switch trailers dozens of times per shift
and AutoConnect saves hours of work. It can be installed on any existing truck without modifications
The system handles critical safety data and delivers it to the driver through a dedicated interface
The technology is ready for fully autonomous yard operations in the near future
trucks are starting to sport solar panels and it's quickly becoming a trend
apollo power makes flexible panels designed for semi-trailers with a complete kit weighing under
15 kilograms buyers can choose between 155 310 or 620 watts of power each set comes with a
Victron controller that manages the charging. Drivers save between 3% and 8% on fuel, which
equals around 3 tons of CO2 per year. The system pays for itself in 12 to 18 months
Installation takes less than two hours and doesn't require any modifications to the truck
The panels withstand hail, snow, and constant vibration. They're TUV certified in Germany
Unilever tested the system, saw a 3% reduction in fuel use, and outfitted 50 trucks with it
Polish company Alioth reported 5% savings in real-world conditions. Apollo has already installed more than 1,000 systems worldwide
AEB, or Automatic Emergency Braking, is a system designed to prevent crashes
Radars, cameras and LIDARs scan 150 meters ahead. If the computer detects an obstacle, it warns the driver with the sound and visuals on the dashboard
No reaction, the truck breaks automatically. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that AEB cuts rear-end collisions in half
The system works everywhere, from city traffic jams to highways, and it doesn't just spot vehicles, but also pedestrians and cyclists
It integrates smoothly with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. Insurers offer lower premiums for trucks equipped with it
Rain and fog aren't an issue, though performance does drop in poor weather
Depending on speed and conditions, the system applies partial or full braking
Give this one a like so more drivers learn about it. Do you know why airplanes fly
It's because of the wing shape that creates lift. Rocketail takes that principle and applies it to trailers with aerodynamic wings mounted on the back
They cut drag by 3.36%, a result confirmed by both Smartway and California's CARB Commission
The wings open automatically when the trailer doors close and fold back when they're opened
so there's no risk of smashing them against a warehouse wall. The profile is borrowed directly from aviation, and the material is a special polymer infused with gas that bends without breaking
Each wing weighs less than 11 kilograms. Installing them takes 35 minutes on a standard trailer, or an hour and 15 on a refrigerated one with no drilling required
Paired with side skirts, the setup pushes a trailer into the top bin 4 category of aerodynamic efficiency
The wings are UV protected and need virtually no maintenance. If Rockertail's big wings handle airflow at the rear, Ecofins take care of the front and sides
These are small vortex generators that smooth out the airflow around the cab
Each fin is only 13 by 9 centimeters but when used in numbers the effect is significant The recommendation is one fin every 10 centimeters or three for every 30 centimeters of surface area Installation can be easier Peel off the backing stick them on
and drive. They come in five colors, including a glow-in-the-dark version. Drivers report up to
5% fuel savings and greater stability at highway speeds. The best spots are along the cab's sides
and roof. Wind tunnel tests and real road trials confirm the results. The fins work like miniature
wings, creating vortices that push the main airflow closer to the truck's body
reducing turbulence and cutting down on trailer sway in crosswinds. Some manufacturers stick to making just one type of trailer and call it a day
The Dutch brand Pacton takes a different approach. They build shape-shifting trailers
for any job. The Binnenlader is a loader trailer with a hydraulic front section designed to carry
concrete panels. It's two and a half meters wide with a platform length of 9.5 meters and six cargo
securing points. The StepDeck SX-D is a lowboy with an extendable platform adaptable from one to
four axles. The TX-K tipper uses telescopic cylinders to lift loads of up to 47 tons
The pellet trailer is built for biomass pellets, with a moving floor that unloads without tipping the body
Every trailer can be tailored to the customer. Add lift axles, tweak the hydraulics, or install container locks
In short, if you need a trailer that can practically do backflips, call Pacton and they'll find a way to make it happen
Think about how containers usually get unloaded from platforms
Most of the time, it takes massive, clumsy cranes. The Hamar 110 changes that
It's a side loader weighing just 8.4 tons, far lighter than its competitors
yet able to lift 40-ton containers as if they were empty. Its stabilizer legs have a stepping mode
extending 3.2 meters to stride right over a neighboring chassis. Loading takes only 2-4 minutes
and the chassis stretches from 6-14 meters, fitting any container. It can even stack two on top of each other
and the ground stays firm under its weight even after rain. There's also a sled mode, where the legs stay folded
and extend just 2 meters for faster work. The loader can be mounted directly on a truck chassis for maximum maneuverability
On a construction site, a crane accident means losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in a matter of seconds
PalFinger offers a clever solution with the VR1, a virtual reality training kit packed into a suitcase
Inside is a real Palcom P7 control unit and VR goggles, so beginners can learn the basics while experienced operators practice advanced maneuvers in extreme conditions
The simulator recreates construction sites, city streets and factories with centimeter-level accuracy, without burning fuel, wearing out equipment or risking accidents
Updates are delivered online, adding new cranes and environments. One suitcase takes the place of an entire training fleet and a team of instructors
Operators can even train under simulated fatigue and distractions. The kit includes models like the PK-TEC7 and the PK-370-TEC for different tasks
And here's something to think about. Should truck drivers be moving to VR training too
Every long-haul driver knows the frustration of losing cell signal when you're going down the highway
The WeBoost Drive Sleek OTR is a cell signal booster built specifically for big trucks
It takes a weak signal and amplifies it to the maximum level allowed by the FCC
The system works with every US carrier, 5G included, and there are no subscription fees
The cradle adjusts to fit any phone between 5 and 7.5 inches, while a USB port keeps the device charged
Installation takes only a few minutes, with step-by-step videos available in the app
The booster doesn't just improve call quality, but also speeds up data for navigation and streaming
It's FCC-certified and approved by all major US carriers. One thing to note, it works with only one device at a time in the cradle, but it delivers the strongest possible signal
Drivers say it's a lifesaver in the mountains and on remote stretches of road
Imagine a convoy of trucks driving bumper to bumper, controlled entirely by computers
That's platooning, a technology that lets rigs follow one another automatically. Short-range radio links the trucks together
with the lead truck setting the speed and the rest mirroring its movements with just a 0.3-second gap
Acceleration and braking happen simultaneously across the whole line. The result is a 25% drop in aerodynamic drag
In Europe, where 90% of freight moves by truck, the potential savings are massive
If a driver needs to leave the platoon they simply need to push a button And since human error is behind 90 of accidents automation sharply reduces the risks The challenge now lies in legislation
New rules are needed for such convoys, and insurance companies still don't know how to
cover them. Manufacturers are also working on cross-compatibility between different systems. The technology is especially effective on long-haul routes, where trucks can cruise
at steady speeds for hours. So, here's the question. Would you trust a computer to handle
your rig out on the open road? Climbing on top of a tanker with no handrails three meters up is no job for the faint-hearted
Oil Men's has developed pneumatic handrails designed specifically for tankers. The driver
walks up to the ladder, presses a button, and the rails automatically rise into place
When the truck moves off, they fold back down on their own, so there's no risk of snagging a bridge
or overpass. The system can be set up on one or both sides of the walkway, and the length can be
adjusted for any tank size. It runs entirely off the truck's existing pneumatic system with no extra
gear required. Suitable for brand new tankers or ones that have been on the road for decades
the rails can be controlled manually or via remote. Made from aircraft-grade aluminium, they can handle any driver's weight
and stay stable even in strong winds at highway speeds. Keeping an eye on tyre pressure across 10 wheels is a headache for any driver
Tire Max Pro takes care of it automatically, not only topping up air, but also bleeding off excess pressure
The system constantly checks each wheel and adjusts for changes in temperature or load
Tires last longer, fuel use goes down, and the risk of a blowout drops
A trailer-mounted indicator shows when a manual inspection is needed. The swivel joint runs on a ball bearing for reliability, no need to modify your tires or rims
The check valves isolate each wheel individually, while the Hendrickson's filter keeps dirt out
Pressure can be set anywhere between 5.8 and 7.5 bar. If air is escaping faster than 10 litres per minute, the system triggers an alert
Tyre Max Pro is especially popular in Australia and Oceania, where distances are vast and roads unpredictable
Keeping the right pressure can stretch tyre life by up to 30%
Carrying traffic cones on the roof is risky, and keeping them inside the cab is a hassle
The HTS-CC is a ground-level cone holder that mounts outside the vehicle
It fits cones 46 or 71 centimeters tall and can be installed on any van or semi-trailer
Drivers no longer have to climb up because cones are always within reach
An automatic latch keeps them secure, even on bumpy roads or in strong winds
Many shopping centers require cones to be set up during unloading, and with this system, the job takes just minutes
Deployment is faster, the risk of injury goes down, and the cones stay protected from falling out on rough terrain, bridge joints, or even during snow removal
Air suspension for trucks is a whole industry in itself, with two big names leading the way
Firestone has been making airbags since the 1930s, while Airbag Man supplies complete kits and spare
parts. Their auxiliary suspension kits use air bellows to level a truck under heavy load
They smooth out the ride no matter the cargo weight, distribute the load more evenly, and absorb shocks along the way
That means less driver fatigue and safer handling. Australia has become the ultimate testing ground
If a system can survive the blistering, corrugated roads and the wet season there, it can survive anywhere
Kits can be fitted to both the front and rear axles, and work with different air control systems
Airbag Man also sells a wide range of parts, from lift axle valves to pressure regulators and gauges
Think of it as an orthopedic mattress for your truck and your back will thank you
Picture this. Your truck breaks down on the highway, and the tools you need are buried in a box you have to climb for
Minimizer's tool caddy fixes that problem. It's a universal tool holder that mounts directly onto a truck wheel, holding up to 45 kilograms of tools and equipment
There are three versions. One for standard tires between 245 and 295 millimeters wide, one for super single tires, and one for flatbeds
The flatbed version is designed to store tie-down straps and fits inside a 1-meter minimizer box
Mechanics in workshops swear by it. Everything stays within easy reach. The mount is universal, so it works with any truck
It's made of a tough polymer that resists freezing cold, extreme heat and chemicals
and every unit is put through brutal stress testing. Minimizer is known for its tested and tortured approach
making sure products hold up long before they reach the market The Korean company Atthermo has been producing truck refrigeration units since 2016
These aren't just freezers, they're advanced climate control systems designed for transporting fresh goods
In today's push for greener logistics, their equipment is more relevant than ever
Engineers are constantly adding new cooling technologies and smarter temperature management. At Thermo Systems stand out for their energy efficiency and reliability
They can be tailored to different types of cargo. Pharmaceuticals need one temperature range, ice cream another, and produce a third
All units meet international cold chain standards and help reduce food losses during transportation
The company is also investing heavily in eco-friendly refrigerants with minimal impact on the ozone layer
UD Trucks has loaded its Quan model with the safety features worthy of a spaceship
The Traffic Eye brake system combines millimeter wave radar with a camera to detect obstacles and automatically apply the brakes
It also reads road signs and displays speed limits right on the dashboard
Blind spot information system and lane change support cover the side views
If a cyclist or pedestrian is hiding there, the driver gets both a sound warning and a flashing light
Traffic Eye Cruise adds stop and auto go, restarting the truck at traffic lights without driver input
The SAFE's cab is built to ECE R29 crash safety standards, complete with seatbelt pretensioners and airbags
Disc brakes are designed to resist overheating on long downhill grades, while UD extra engine braking keeps the revs high for maximum engine braking
The company's working towards its Vision Zero goal, a future with no traffic fatalities
Together, these systems form a layered shield that protects both driver and surroundings
Mining trucks, log haulers, garbage trucks and military vehicles all work in brutal conditions
The Hendrickson Ultimax suspension is built for exactly that. Its progressive rate springs give a smooth ride when the truck is empty and stability when it's loaded
A patented walking beam balances the weight between axles, providing the right clearance and suspension travel
Payload capacity reaches 32 tons. The 45 centimeter articulation lets it tackle serious off-road terrain
The system weighs as little as 535 kilograms in its lighter version and is compatible with lift axles
The ride height can be set anywhere between 24 and 33 centimeters
Hendrickson has certified it for dump trucks, mixers, cranes and fire engines
The suspension has been tested in the harshest conditions, from the Arctic colds to the desert heat
why keep burning diesel with the main engine while parked the thermoking tripak 3 is an
auxiliary power unit, essentially a compact diesel generator built for the cab. It keeps the heat on
in the winter, the AC running in the summer, and powers every device on board, all while the main
engine stays off. Fuel consumption drops by 75% compared to idling. That means a driver saves
about 9,500 litres of diesel every year, or around 38,000 litres over the life of the truck
It comes in two versions, a standard one approved in 49 states and a California compliant model with extra emissions control
Built-in TrackKing Telematics let you check cabin temperature, engine hours and fuel use online
The new controller with its oversized display is as easy to use as a smartphone
An APU also cuts down wear on the main engine and raises the truck's resale value
It works for the latest diesel, gas and even electric rigs. Subscribe to TechZone for more smart tech that saves you money
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