Smartphones on wheels?

Today there are about 175,000 online-connected Volvo trucks on Europe’s roads. A number of them can already send information about when they need maintenance and some of the necessary service work can even be administrated remotely. This, however, is just the beginning.

"In the coming few years, for instance, the truck will be able to monitor its own health in real time, promoting easier and quicker service which leads to higher productivity for all concerned – drivers, workshops and haulage firms," says Hayder Wokil, Director Quality & Uptime at Volvo Trucks.

In the future the truck will also make workshop administration easier by booking its own service as and when necessary, booking the appropriate mechanics for the relevant jobs and advance-ordering the necessary parts for delivery to the workshop. Repairs will be able to be performed wherever the truck happens to be and will be carried out at an appropriate time in its working schedule.

"Service  will be synchronised with the truck’s operating timetable and will be booked at the nearest workshop at a time when the vehicle would in any case not be in operation, for instance at night or when the driver has to take a legislated break. Via online connectivity the truck will also be able to carry out simple self-repairs remotely," says Wokil.

Tomorrow’s truck will also offer more flexibility. As the connectivity potential for trucks continues developing, vehicles will be able to be specified to suit each individual job, which in turn promotes more efficient operation.

"The next generation of trucks will be increasingly personalised and will, for example, be able to be tailored to match the operator’s needs and driving style. It will also be able to update its own configuration to suit specific transport assignments," explains Wokil.  

One important prerequisite for utilising the benefits of connectivity is the collection of large quantities of data.

According to Per Adamsson, Director Strategy & Business Development at Volvo Group Telematics, today’s trucks will follow the trend shown by smartphones in recent years. In the automotive industry there is talk about 'The Smartphone on Wheels Evolution'.

"In the near future trucks will be able to communicate with other road users as well as with mobile remotely enabled devices, helping to cut the risk of accidents and reducing unplanned standstills," said Adamsson.

"Thanks to online connectivity, in the future the truck will also be able to independently monitor traffic status and select the most efficient route if there are traffic jams or roadworks up ahead," he added.

However, even if much of the technology for realising tomorrow’s truck already exists today, it may take some time before the next-generation scenario becomes reality.

"The biggest challenge lies in sifting through the massive amount of data we collect from our vehicles. The infrastructure for connectivity throughout the world also needs to be further developed before we can transform next-generation vision into everyday reality," says Wokil.