Commercial vehicle technology supplier Wabco Indiatoday demonstrated its ‘intelligent trailer program’ at its test track in Chennai. The demonstration included the intelligent anti-lock (EBS) systems, which provides a platform for up to 40 innovative trailer operating functions.

The company says that this demonstration showcased its product design that aims to enhance trailer safety, security and efficiency and offers significant added value for India’s trailer manufacturers, fleet operators and cargo owners.

Wabco’s Intelligent Trailer Program is an industry-first initiative now being launched in India, an important growth market for the company. The Intelligent Trailer Program leverages the capabilities of Wabco’s trailer anti-lock or electronic braking control systems to provide a platform for up to 40 innovative trailer operating functions.

L-R: Jacques Esculier, chairman and CEO, Wabco; Rajeev Batra, COO, Tata International DLT; P Kaniappan, MD, Wabco India and Christiaan Verschueren, vice-president, Trailer, Wabco, at the launch of the Intelligent Trailer Program by Wabco India in Chennai.

Designed to enhance trailer safety, security and efficiency, Wabco says the Intelligent Trailer Program offers significant added value for India’s trailer manufacturers, fleet operators and cargo owners. Enabling customers to select the functions most relevant to their specific needs, the Program offers a powerful range of customisable solutions to enhance operating safety, as well as reduce transportation and fuel costs. The Intelligent Trailer Program also paves the way for India’s trailer industry to upgrade from basic braking systems to the next level of advanced braking and suspension technologies required for higher levels of vehicle automation.

Speaking at the product demonstration, Jacques Esculier, chairman and CEO, Wabco, said: “We are proud to demonstrate Wabco’s award-winning Intelligent Trailer Program for the first time in India. As a leading global technology innovator, Wabco is unique in its capability to powerfully integrate truck and trailer control systems expertise.”

P Kaniappan, managing director, Wabco India, said: “Aimed at reducing the number of road accidents and delivering enhanced operational efficiency to the trailer market, we are excited to bring Wabco’s innovative Intelligent Trailer Program in India. Wabco is ready with globally proven technologies to fully support the government of India’s mandate for enhanced braking functionality once it is enacted.”

The company demonstrated six key functionalities tied to the Intelligent Trailer Program at the launch event, including the trailer anti-lock braking function, roll stability support, TailGuard, OptiTire, OptiLevel and OptiLink.

Trailer Code AIS 113 comes into effect from April 1, 2018
Wabco states that it supports the Automotive Indian Standard (AIS). Based on Trailer Code AIS 113, it mandates the fitment of ABS on all trailers manufactured and registered in India starting April 2018.

The trailer ABS optimises vehicle control during emergency braking, it controls vehicle wheel slip, and maintains its ability to steer and provide added stability while braking. This maximises the effectiveness of braking on all types of roads and in all weather conditions it also helps to extend the tyre life of trailers.

The technology company claims its advanced Trailer Electronic Braking System (T-EBS) will be required to leverage the full scope of the Intelligent Trailer Program. The T-EBS optimises stopping distances and controls trailer brake and suspension functions,  the system also enables the trailer to connect drivers, fleets and cargo owners to rich sources of onboard systems and operational information. Wabco claims that both ABS and EBS can be retrofitted to a broad range of trailers.

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