NEWS

Torc Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck, is opening a technology and software development centre in Stuttgart, Germany. Torc is a leader in SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicle software for heavy-duty vehicle, and the newly established Torc Europe GmbH will tap into the available talent pool in one of Germany’s prime automotive regions. The team will support the ongoing development of the Level 4 autonomous virtual driver in autonomous trucks in the United

Torc Robotics opens T&D Centre in Germany to further innovate driverless technology

States. Torc Europe is now hiring software engineers, data scientists, and architects in the areas of systems, safety, validation, and product development.

“Torc is working closely with Daimler Truck to optimise the entire product stack including the virtual driver, sensing and computer hardware, and the redundant chassis, to be the first company to launch a scalable and profitable self-driving product,” said Torc Founder & CEO Michael Fleming. “Torc’s Stuttgart technology and software development centre will leverage the deep automotive and trucking technical and product expertise to make this a reality.”

Torc and Daimler Truck are collaboratively pursuing a common goal of developing and bringing autonomous trucks for long-distance haulage trucks on to the roads within the decade. In 2019, Daimler Truck invested a majority share in Torc, the first autonomous vehicle (AV) company to enter an integrated partnership with a truck original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Torc and Daimler Truck, with its North American entity, are currently ramping up development and testing in the United States. Torc’s testing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, allows daily, multi-shift runs of Torc’s autonomous test trucks on highways in New Mexico and Texas.

BMW Welt is the setting for the IFOY AWARDs 2022 ceremony

BMW Welt at Ismaning near Munich is the location for one of the biggest events in the materials handling industry to be held this year. On 30 June, the announcement and presentations of the trophies for the IFOY AWARDs 2022 (International Intralogistics & Forklift Truck of the Year) will be made, with more than 200 international guests from business, science and the media attending the gala evening.

The BMW Welt, which opened in 2007 is a big tourist attraction, visited by twice as many people as Neuschwanstein Castle every year. It is not the first time that it has provided a spectacular backdrop for the awards ceremony, as the trophies, also known as the “Oscars of intralogistics”, were presented to the winners for the first time there in 2017, according to Anita Würmser, Chairperson of the IFOY jury: “The BMW Group is one of the biggest users of new, innovative logistics solutions in the automotive industry worldwide. We are therefore very pleased to be guests at BMW Welt with the world’s largest intralogistics competition,” she said. “The BMW Group has traditionally invested for a long time not only in the development of innovative and sustainable vehicles and mobility solutions, but also in efficient, sustainable and forward-looking solutions in the production and logistics network - LEAN. GREEN. DIGITAL. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to set the stage for the IFOY AWARD 2022,” added Dr. Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President BMW Group Production Network, Logistics.

“This year, 14 innovative products, devices and solutions from 12 manufacturers made it to the final round of the tenth anniversary of the competition. The finalists cover the entire spectrum of in-plant logistics - from forklifts to autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and software to holistic automation projects for high-performance warehouses. All finalists went through the three-stage IFOY audit in March during the IFOY TEST DAYS at Messe Dortmund before the 25 jury members from 19 countries casted their votes,” explained Anita. The result, however, remains secret, she emphasised - for both the public and the manufacturers - until the award ceremony.

Soaring fuel prices are putting road transport sectors and supply chains at risk. The fitment of lower rolling resistance tyres can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 30 percent, according to Continental Tyres.

“Black gold” is how oil and its derivatives is often described. And right now, petrol and diesel really do seem like luxury commodities, as motorists confronting the high prices at filling stations can testify. Unsurprisingly, skyrocketing costs are also giving transport companies and fleet managers sleepless nights. Logistics associations are even warning of a wave of insolvencies; without fuel the transportation industry would literally grind to a halt. So, the emphasis is once again on saving fuel and, by extension, on tyres. Indeed, tyres are one of the various factors playing a central role in fuel consumption. Which explains why Continental has long since placed importance on the impact of tyres on fuel economy at the heart of its research and development work. The company is finding solutions which have a sustained impact on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

According to figures from the EU, around a quarter of Europe’s CO2 emissions in the road traffic and transport sector are caused by heavy commercial vehicles. In order to meet the EU’s climate targets, fleets are being called on to reduce their CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2030. And cutting carbon emissions means cutting fuel consumption. In these times of historically high fuel prices, finding ways of saving fuel has become even more important. “The rolling resistance of a tyre is responsible for as much as 30 percent of a truck’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions,” stated Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development Bus & Truck Tyres at Continental.

Tyre pressure, vehicle configuration, load distribution, mileage, traction and tyre performance are all important criteria in determining fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions. However, by far the most important and influential factor is rolling resistance. Here, the task is always to balance the conflict of interest between low rolling resistance on the one hand, and safety-relevant attributes such as grip and handling on the other.

With this in mind, Continental focuses primarily on tread compounds, which generate energy loss without negatively impacting grip or mileage. That may sound straightforward but is far from the case. Tyres are impacted by various forces during a journey. Indeed, the tread and sidewall of a tyre are subjected to bending, buckling and shearing. The constant deformation of a vehicle’s tyres and recovery of their original form leads to energy being converted into heat in a process known as hysteresis. “This is one of the main causes of rolling resistance in tyres,” explained Kaiser. “With hysteresis, energy is lost in the form of heat. Fuel has to be burned to counteract this effect and maintain the vehicle’s forward momentum.”

VECTO and the EU Emissions Directive are also prominent influencers for the transportation sector when it comes to saving fuel. In order to increase transparency in the tyre selection process, Continental has come up with a CO2 and fuel calculator based on the VECTO simulation tool. This calculator allows fleet operators to work out how much they can reduce their emissions and fuel consumption with the right selection of tyres. “We are delighted to be able to offer our customers another tool – in the form of our new calculator – to help them work in a more sustainable way,” said Enno Straten, Head of Marketing Replacement Tyres EMEA at Continental.

The interplay between correct tyre choice, tyre construction, tyre pressure and rolling resistance is critical in determining how much fuel a fleet of vehicles use and how much they can save. The high fuel prices at present and growing demands for reductions in CO2 emissions and increased sustainability continue to shine the spotlight on the issue of fuel saving – through the lens of economics, the impact on livelihoods, supply chains and, not least, the environment. Continental is offering solutions which can help overcome these challenges and support fleet managers with their decision making.

Rolling Resistance Makes the Difference in Saving Fuel - Continental Tyres