Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/764538
16 www.bigrigowner.com J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 said Peloton CEO Josh Switkes. "Our first truck platooning system is com- ing to market in 2017. This project will build upon our existing system and is complementary to the higher- automation solutions we are develop- ing next." The goal of the group is to develop powertrain tech and automated driv- ing controls to improve fuel efficiency in tractor-trailers by 20 percent in real-world driving conditions. The integration of these technologies will raise the system from a Level 1 to a Level 2 autonomous driving system. "Our objective is to tap into fuel savings that can only be attained by managing the powertrain precisely for the road ahead, and for the specific configuration of the trucks," said Mi- chael Palmer, Peloton's director of re- search. "Cloud connectivity provides information about the road ahead, and the trucks exchange data about their estimated mass and powertrain capabilities. This helps us maintain smooth, efficient platooning through grades and rolling hills." Another area of focus will be to im- prove connectivity including over-the- air engine recalibrations and comput- ing between trucks and the cloud. The three-year project is expected to launch in March 2017, according to Peloton. The team will receive $5 million in funding from the Depart- ment of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). •