This is how trailers are now using artificial intelligence to reduce operating costs

• New BPW running gear generation iC Plus analyses brake pads and performance
• Data patterns reveal braking problems before they become expensive and dangerous
• Technology that has been tried and tested in the UK for years now adapted for the rest of Europe

The AI revolution in transport is unstoppable: the trailer now recognises its optimum load based on the axle loading, checks critical components - and issues a warning before things get expensive and dangerous. The new iC Plus running gear generation from BPW uses intelligent algorithms to analyse braking performance. Something that has been saving testing and downtime in the UK for years is now rolling out across Europe for the first time.

Wiehl, 6 June 2024 --- For years, the BPW Group has been driving forward digital networking of drivers, freight and vehicles so that transport companies can achieve greater efficiency with their trailer fleets every day: at BPW, trailer running gear has long been created as a digital twin; digital DNA opens up efficiency gains along the entire life cycle – from design and assembly to driving operations, maintenance and repair. But that was just the beginning. With the new iC Plus running gear generation, which comes with telematics hardware as standard, BPW is now creating the basis for the introduction of artificial intelligence into the trailer: intelligent algorithms detect data patterns in the running gear that e.g. indicate the need for maintenance of critical components. Above all, this includes the brakes: iC Plus informs the driver, fleet manager and dispatcher when the brakes need to be checked in the workshop. Causes can include a defective air hose, a sluggish brake calliper or a weakening spring on the cylinder – typical maintenance and repair tasks are recognised by artificial intelligence before expensive breakdowns or even accidents can occur. The highlight: BPW does not need separate sensors to analyse the braking performance, but instead accesses the data collected in the EBS. In addition to the brake lining wear sensors, the AI interprets the need for maintenance and repair in a differentiated manner in context. Temporary reaction patterns – triggered by a severe pothole, for example – are filtered out.

Brake performance measurement has already proven its worth in the UK, where close-meshed brake checks for trailers are required by law. For years, here, AI has been saving fleet operators expensive downtimes on the brake test stand. With the iC Plus running gear generation, BPW is also adapting its innovation for the rest of Europe.

Brake lining wear measurement is also tried and tested with iC Plus. It works with a sensor whose signals give the fleet manager sufficient flexibility to plan a workshop visit to change the brake lining. The BPW Group's digital services are also proving their worth here: the digital maintenance management system from BPW and idem telematics integrates statutory inspection regulations, maintenance instructions for BPW axles and vehicle status and fault messages. It also documents maintenance work down to the last detail – creating a digital vehicle file without any paper, hole punches or folders.

Caren Freudenberg, Product Manager at BPW: "Together with idem telematics, BPW has created a new generation of running gear that makes both vehicle operation and the entire transport process more economical. Rolling data analysis saves the fleet operator unnecessary visits to the workshop and maximises vehicle availability. All information relating to utilisation, operation, driver and vehicle performance is available to the fleet operator at any time at the click of a mouse via the cargofleet 3 telematics portal from idem telematics. This reveals potential and increases the efficiency of fleet management. The open-system platform also enables controlled, secure data exchange with external applications, such as transport management or ERP systems. Transport today couldn't be smarter or more efficient."