Meritor WABCO Offers “Unparalleled” Tractor/Trailer Communications Capability for Fleets and Owner Operators (March 20, 2002)
Meritor WABCO Offers “Unparalleled” Tractor/Trailer Communications Capability for Fleets and Owner Operators LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 20, 2002)
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show its gateway communications capability, called InfoLink™. Developed to complement the
company’s existing anti-lock braking system (ABS) products, InfoLink allows communication between the tractor and trailer, as well as to third-party
telematic devices, such as computers and cellular phones.
The communication capability is available immediately to all North American tractor and trailer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to meet virtually any communication application requirement.
Dennis Sandberg, president of Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, said, “Our current tractor and trailer ABS offerings were developed with the future in mind. We are proud to be the first and only component supplier to offer this communication capability to the industry and excited about the tangible benefits it will offer fleets and owner operators.”
In September 2000, Meritor WABCO introduced Enhanced Easy-Stop™ trailer ABS for greater application flexibility. The system was also designed to adapt to future ABS technology requirements, including the anticipated power line carrier (PLC) communications technology. In March 2001, the company
introduced its E-version tractor ABS to not only meet the Federal requirement for an in-cab trailer ABS indicator lamp via PLC technology, but to allow for more advanced communications capabilities. Those advanced capabilities are here today via InfoLink.
InfoLink is a result of exclusive electronic control unit (ECU) software designed
by Meritor WABCO engineers. The software utilizes special addresses to allow data to be transferred through the tractor/trailer “gateway” via existing
ABS data links. The fleet or end-user communication requirements determine which parameters are set at the time of vehicle build.
The tractor ECU enables the actual gateway function, while the trailer ECU provides the monitoring and control capabilities. Enhanced Easy-Stop trailer ABS allows for the monitoring or control of up to five functions. It is also compatible with emerging telematics technologies for additional fleet communication requirements.
Sandberg added, “As greater demands are put on fleets, they in turn have
higher expectations of their vehicles. We are confident InfoLink will become a
valuable resource in getting the job done more efficiently and help meet these
growing demands.”
InfoLink is just one element offered by Meritor WABCO and ArvinMeritor as
part of their complete braking system. Other braking system components
include: anti-lock braking systems, electronic braking systems, air dryers,
brake control valves, air compressors, electronic leveling modules, foundation
brakes, automatic slack adjusters, friction materials, and hubs and drums.
Meritor WABCO* is a joint venture of ArvinMeritor, (NYSE:ARM) and the
WABCO Automotive Products Group of American Standard Companies Inc. (NYSE:ASD).
American Standard is a global manufacturer with market leading positions in three businesses: Trane®, the United States' leading supplier of central air conditioning systems and service for commercial and institutional buildings and a premier brand for residential buildings; American Standard® and Ideal Standard®, the world's largest manufacturer of plumbing products; and WABCO®, the leading supplier of electronic braking and control systems to
the world's manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks and buses. The company employs approximately 58,000 people in 36 countries. American Standard is included in the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index.
ArvinMeritor Inc. is a premier $7-billion global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and related aftermarkets. In
addition, ArvinMeritor is a leader in coil coating applications. The company is headquartered in Troy, Mich., and employs 33,000 people at more than 150 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at: http://www.arvinmeritor.com/.
*Meritor WABCO products are available in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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