New Scania system can ‘tell the future’
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SCANIA IS set to become the first European truck maker to offer an active cruise control that can read the road ahead, adjusting the speed to suit gradients and curves in order to save fuel.
Dubbed ‘Active Prediction’ the GPS-based system tracks the vehicle’s position, so it knows when the gradient is about to change. This information is then used by the engine management system to adjust the cruise control setting. Fuel savings of up to 3% are claimed possible in undulating terrain, for example, by cutting the power just ahead of going downhill, but increasing the speed just ahead of an uphill gradient.
The system will provide greater benefits with less-experienced drivers, but Scania claims fuel consumption will improve even when highly skilled drivers are behind the wheel if they are driving in the dark or on unfamiliar routes.
Software developer Navteq’s map data covers all of western and central Europe. If the GPS signal drops out, the cruise control returns to its normal function.
Operators can already specify Active Prediction on new Scanias with the Communicator telematics system.
The precise cost of the system was still unconfirmed as CM went to press.