Cummins X15 Euro-6 Road Test: Part 2

Before Christmas we took a new Kenworth T610 for a spin, complete with Euro 6 Cummins X15 engine and a host of cutting-edge features. This time around we're taking a closer look at that same truck's advanced safety systems, many of which are fast becoming commonplace on the big-rig scene…

The heart of Kenworth's Electronic Brake Safety Systems (EBSS) has for a long time been Bendix's Wingman device. Now the latest Wingman Fusion system incorporates a range of advanced safety technologies into one comprehensive driver assistance system, making it one of the most powerful safety setups available in the heavy-duty market.

The suite includes antilock braking (ABS), Drag Torque Control (DTC), Automatic Traction Control (ATC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Active Cruise with Braking (ACB), Collision Mitigation with AEB (CMS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Trailer Response Management (TRM), with most of those functions falling under the broad umbrella of the truck's Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

System integration is the key to the Bendix Wingman Fusion, which blends the stability control system with Wingman Advanced Collision Mitigation Technology and the new AutoVue camera. There's an awful lot going on here, but basically the Wingman Fusion package gathers input from radar, video, and the brake system to create a highly detailed and accurate data picture of the truck's immediate environment, constantly adapting its performance to maintain the utmost level of safety.

There are two noticeably visible components of the system, namely the bumper-mounted radar and windscreen-mounted camera, the latter powered by the Mobileye System-on-Chip EyeQ processor.

Other components, such as the Safety-Direct Processor and Fusion Brake Controller, are typically mounted out of sight and work autonomously in the background.

There's also the option of a new passenger-side-mounted radar unit called BlindSpotter, which is designed to alert drivers to vehicles or objects in adjacent lanes. This next-generation BlindSpotter radar operates over a significantly wider field of view than its predecessor, allowing it to 'see' further toward both the front and back of the vehicle combination.

In the T610, the display from the Bendix Driver Information Display (DID) is also mirrored in the main dash panel, which makes monitoring the information a simple affair. However, the settings and preferences for the Bendix system are controlled via the up, down and okay buttons on the DID unit.

Before leaving CJD Launceston, and as I was to be travelling a main highway route, I toggled through the DID to the settings menu and set my distance from the default '3' to '4', which is the furthest distance setting for the truck's adaptive cruise control function.

Out on the highway the Wingman Fusion was quietly working away in the background. When a vehicle would slow in front of the T610, its distance ahead was shown on both the DID and on the dash display, and when the following distance shortened a large orange warning in the dash display advised me to increase the gap. The speed of the vehicle in front is also shown on the Bendix DID.

Knorr-Bremse Australia's Technical and Account Manager OE Truck, Brett Medlin, was on hand to demonstrate the Active Cruise with Braking (ACB) feature, which will slow the truck to a complete stop if necessary, without any driver interaction. It's impressive stuff, and a feature that takes quite a degree of the strain out of highway driving.

Kenworth says its new NAV-Plus navigation and communication system is packed with clever features that take driver productivity to the next level. Currently NAV-Plus is available as an option on Kenworth's T610 and T610SAR models.

NAV-Plus is a multi-function communication system that offers hands-free telephony with connectivity via Bluetooth or USB, along with iPod and MP3 integration, virtual gauges, up to four camera inputs and true truck-specific satellite navigation, among other features.

This system comprises a 7.0-inch 'Smart Display' multimedia touchscreen connected to a dedicated radio head unit. The Smart Display can be used to manage the entire interface, or alternatively the unit can also be controlled by the radio head unit.

The Smart Display manages audio, internet and phone functions, as well as Bluetooth/WiFi connectivity. The radio head unit, on the other hand, manages audio output to the speakers, be it from the AM/FM radio, the CD player, or a separate digital audio device.

In this day and age, when the fines imposed for touching a mobile phone even while stopped at traffic lights are so steep, connecting a phone to the T610's NAV-Plus unit is simple.

Simply swipe the touchscreen, just like you would a smart phone, tablet or iPad, until you see the 'Settings' icon and select it. Then open the 'Wireless and Networks' icon and select 'Bluetooth' from the drop-down menu. The system automatically searches for all available devices; when you see your device tap the pair button and you're done.

According to Kenworth, the capabilities and connectivity of the NAV-Plus system are similar to what you'd typically find in luxury cars. Once paired the system automatically imports your contacts and allows calls to be made via voice commands, also logging calls for easy reference and callbacks.

The inbuilt navigation is in a class of its own, with truck-specific routing. I'd been warned to take my time and enter the truck combination details into the system accurately to ensure that the system would display the correct route for my combination's length, width, height and type of load. It will even suggest dedicated hazardous goods routes if that's what you're hauling.

Interestingly, while later talking to a mate who is an operations manager at large fuel transport company, he highlighted how handy a feature like this could be for him, as pre-entering all his delivery locations would make life easier for his casual drivers.

The screen has the ability to display up to four camera inputs. Meantime the cameras can be programed to come on automatically when a set trigger point is activated. For instance, a left-hand or right-hand facing camera can be automatically displayed in the screen when the corresponding indicator is turned on. Conversely, the rear-facing camera can be displayed when reverse is selected.

It's worth noting though, the cameras are not included with the Nav-Plus system at the factory, but can be installed by the dealership to suit the customer's requirements.

Swipe through the home screen pages to the gauges function and you have the option to specify up to 13 virtual gauges. The screen only displays six gauges at any one time, but the neatest part is drivers have the flexibility to arrange the gauges in their preferred order.

For trucks with a shift partner, each driver can have the gauges arranged in their own desired sequence, with the ability to store that setting in the pre-set menu. It's simply a matter of selecting your favourite pre-set when you commence your shift in the vehicle.

Each virtual gauge can be enlarged to take up the full screen simply by tapping on it. In addition, if a system warning related to any of the gauges is present then the corresponding gauge will automatically enlarge to full screen and turn red to alert the driver of the issue.

NAV-Plus also features an interactive clock that always displays the truck's time at its current location. However, additional times can be added to show times at pick-up and delivery locations that may be in different time zones.

The system connects to the internet via Wi-Fi and all available Wi-Fi networks will automatically be listed, allowing the driver to select their preferred network. Once the system is online, internet browsing can be performed via the integrated Firefox search engine. This is a handy feature as training videos can viewed live in the cabin, while the system's operating software can be checked for updates periodically.

After thoroughly exploring this Kenworth T610's many advanced features, including the NAV-Plus and Bendix Wingman Fusion systems, I can see that many drivers will have hard time going back to a truck without this innovative technology. For safety and for productivity, the benefits are clearly there.