Quote:
Originally Posted by spacemanspif
Looks EXECTLY like shepherd's rig that he built without $115 million. Glad truck companies are trying though, definitely a step in the right direction.
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The performance results are due to a combination of improvements with the integration of a forward looking GPS as a most interesting and important point.
As we all know, the modification of driver technique bears heavily on the economy of a vehicle. Many of us who drive the same route on a daily basis become intimate with the upcoming terrain and this allows us to consciously modify our driving to fit the upcoming terrain. You can call it a type of Ecomodder "nap of the earth". This truck does this automatically and does so without the driver having to turn off fuel, up shift or coast. It's economy should be available no matter who is driving.
The rest of the truck is impressive when matched against the fact that the improvements made to the truck have to fit into a highly regulated and economically competitive industry. As Frank Lee pointed out, even the idea of side-view cameras would have to face the safety oriented regulations.
The extent of the work is even more impressive when the price of 115 million ,with government matching funds, is compared to the hundreds of millions needed to launch a new heavy duty line. Yes, it is a prototype, but outside of the waste heat recycling, most of the modifications could be integrated into existing production lines with little fuss.