Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/580471
October 2015 | Overdrive | 41 THE SMART SEAT CHOICE New Style, New Technology, Smarter than ever THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART THE SMART SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE SEAT CHOICE New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, New Technology, Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever Smarter than ever AMERICAN MADE AMERICA N MADE Configure yours today at www.bostromseating.com Wide Ride Core Since 1935 Bostromseating.com | Facebook.com/bostromseating O p t i o n al " S m a r t " D u m p + M e mo r y V a l v e focus. Its intent is to assist drivers, not replace them, says Diane Hames, gen- eral manager of sales and marketing for Freightliner. The system is designed to relieve drivers from tedi- um and unrelenting focus, allowing them to rest for extended periods while maintaining command of the truck. Highway Pilot is still being tested on tracks and public roadways in Nevada, and no official timetable has been set for putting it into production. If my time behind the wheel of the Inspiration has taught me anything, it's that this technology works exactly as advertised and has great potential for boosting fleet fuel econo- my and safety while easing driver workloads. 1 START CRUISING AND ENSURE HIGHWAY PILOT IS HAPPY. Once you're rolling, enabling Highway Pilot is possible if all of the systems' sensors are satisfied that safe operat- ing conditions are present. The cameras must have clearly defined lane markers to track, the radar systems must have uncluttered acuity looking forward, and the GPS system must have a strong sig- nal and reliable information about the area where the truck is operating. 2 HIT THE BUTTON TO TURN OVER CONTROL. When the sensors have confirmed their ability to operate, a message flashes onto the driver information screen. You push the "Resume" button on the steering wheel. 3 WATCH HIGHWAY PILOT TAKE OVER. A message alerts you that Highway Pilot is taking control. Another visual cue is found on the futuristic rearview monitors attached to the A pillars inside the cab. When the line across the screen is white, the system is inactive. Once engaged, the bar turns a vibrant shade of blue. The first time you relinquish control, your hands hover over the wheel, wait- ing to grab it if something goes wrong, but nothing does. There is no jerking of the steering wheel, and the system is almost silky smooth. 4 RELIEVE HIGHWAY PILOT WHEN YOU WANT. Disengaging Highway Pilot is a piece of cake. You can turn off the switch on the steering wheel, take hold of the wheel and start driving yourself, or pump the brake pedal as you'd do to kill cruise control. This is standard procedure for actions other than cruising in your lane, such as passing a car or exiting the interstate. 5 YOU'D BETTER RELIEVE HIGHWAY PILOT RIGHT NOW. Should any Highway Pilot system determine that it's not getting enough information to drive safely, an alarm sounds, and a five-second countdown clock flashes on the screen, prompting you to take control. If you haven't by the end of the countdown, Highway Pilot will slow the truck, pull off the road and stop. Regardless of how poor sensor input may be, the system never relinquishes control until it is certain that you have taken over. What it's like to pilot the Inspiration