trailer world Issue Two 2012

Ausgabe Zwei 2012 15 ka independent of the manufacturer, and the settings can be optimised. Test customers of Amazone have often reported that they have realised from the data obtained that they have been using their vehicles inefficiently, making many unnecessary journeys in the fields. “This could also have been recognised without telematics, but the technology makes obvi- ous some things that have otherwise only been discussed theoretically”, says Steffen Walther. Telematics applications are inter- esting not only for large businesses, but es- pecially for smaller ones, he explains: “They often need to know every last detail about their own business, and therefore want fig- ures which really show whether a machine is being utilised effectively.” A sore point is the concern of the busi- nesses that they could be controlled by the manufacturer via telematic applications: There are worries that the manufacturer could complain in warranty cases that the vehicle had always been driven too quickly, or the pump operated at too high a speed. “But this is something we will not do. We have no in- tention of controlling anybody, only that the technology provides the customer with noth- ing but benefits”, says Walther. Such critical figures however can cer- tainly be of benefit to customers’ businesses: “The driver and the boss can evaluate why speed or pressure do not match, and look at whether this is due to incorrect driving, or the settings need to be changed.” And cor- responding data is particularly critical when machines are used on a contract ba- sis: If one can document to the customer in black and white that the vehicle has been operated and the seed sown correctly, this is confirmation that the work has been done properly.” (jg) In service all round the clock: Telematics opens up new possibilities for agriculture. Joint Logistics The joint project “Urban Retail Logistics” is a project of the Effi- ciency Cluster Ruhr Logistics, which in 2010 secured 40 million Euros in support of funds over five years in the peak cluster competition of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research. Concepts and technical innovations are being developed so that resources can be used efficiently in logistics, and the supply of society is ensured. The global position of Ger- man logistics is to be consolidated, while at the same time promoting Germany as a business location. Neat new version The VW eT! is reminiscent of the legendary yellow VW Fridolin trans- porter, which was in service with the Deutsche Bundespost in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The modern version is not yellow, but instead is much gentler on the environment than its popular predecessor: It is equipped with two electric motors, which produce up to 96 kW/131 hp, and are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can store up to 32 kW/h. The transporter has a top speed of up to 110 km/h, without contaminating in- ner cities with exhaust gases. Intelligent Solutions Telematics combines telecommu- nications and data processing in one system. This technology is coming into increasing use in agriculture. The sec- tor is subject to high cost pressure: the sometimes considerable invest- ments in special machinery must pay off. Telematics can meet this requirement through individual solutions. The innova- tive applications of agricultural technol- ogy also provide input for trailers: BPW and its subsidiary company idem are working jointly on the implementation of their own telematics solutions. See the following pages for more details. Technics uncovers inefficient work

trailer world Issue Two 2012

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