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ON THE ROAD.
Page 97
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T. I IF COMPUTER takes another step along the road, literally, with Mercedes-Benz' development of a system for installation in a commercial vehicle's cab.
This on-board computer is the most significant part of a new software package called Mercedes-Benz Assistant. It has recently been revealed in Germany (installed in a 7.5-tonne gross vehicle weight Mercedes 8(i9) and is scheduled for demonstration in this country next year, although it is still some time away from commercial availability in the UK market.
The system is designed for multi-drop distribution work. All the delivery int-titillation such as addresses, drop size, product lines and delivery restrictions or timed bookings is contained on a data cassette which is inserted in the onboard computer. This information and instructions are displayed for the driver on a small screen mounted in the dashboard.
During the delivery run, the driver can also enter information like short loads. retlised/returned orders or roll cages picked up. At the delivery address the printer attached to the on-board computer can print out the customer's invoice.
Furthermore, the computer has a tachograph role — it records driving and waiting or loading times. It can also calculate the level of utilisation of the vehicle's load capacity and monitor fuel consumption and the engine functions. Back at the depot after the run, the data cassette is analysed by another computer. The route/load planners can compare their pre-planned delivery schedule with the driver's actual day and use the information to improve future planning. The vehicle's performance details are led through to the operator's
,,edes-130)....has the on-board computer installed in the cab Of I-111 K09 7. 3-famine G delivery vehicle. I lU small monitor screen (right) is mounted alongside the tachograph in the dashboard. One of the difficulties that had to be overcome is making the equiinuent :function reliably m the adverse conditions of a lorry cab.
fleet engineer as valuable real-lite operational data.
As mentioned earlier, the on-board computer is just part of the new Mercedes-Benz Assistant collection of software. In all, there are seven programs or modules in the package. The others include fleet analysis, costbenefit calculation, route planning and optimisation. There is also a program for monitoring and administering an operator's own workshop, identifying the true costs of this often-expensive section. This program applies modern stock control methods to the parts stores so that the amount of capital tied up in parts can be minimised without detriment to the service level.
The on-hoard computer is currently undergoing tests in Germany, fitted to two operators' vehicles. The year-long trial will be completed by the middle of next year. If it is successful the system will be translated into finglish and adapted for the UK market. Next year's demonstration of the system in the UK is therefore almost certain to be on a left-hand drive German specification vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz Transport Consultancy will handle the system in the UK.