Schaeffler will use the ‘Nvidia Omniverse’ platform to develop “digital twins” or simulations for entire plants and production equipment.

Startling claims were made by two panellists on the mainstage of the Anaheim convention centre on the first day of the ACT Expo. The first – Peter Ludwig – announced that software-defined vehicles will make today’s vehicles look as outmoded as the steam train. The second claim came from David Liu, who said that self-driving vehicles will be the industry’s greatest invention since the diesel engine. These men have business interests in the development of software-defined and autonomous vehicles; we would expect them to say as much. A moderate response to the advent of these technologies came from Sherry Sanger – executive vice president of strategy and marketing at Penske Transportation Solutions – who sat on a different panel: she warned delegates not to rashly take up a new technology or “solution” without first having a clearly-defined problem for it to solve.

At last year’s ACT Expo in Las Vegas, Truck & Bus Builder met for the first time with Range Energy to learn more about its “electric trailer platform”. This year’s show provided the opportunity for a business update after two major announcements: the appointment of a new chief executive officer, Jon Foster, and a supply agreement with ZF Group for its ‘AxTrax 2’ e-axles. I spoke with founder Ali Javidan – now chief technology officer – and Foster about what the company hopes to achieve in the next five years.

The joint venture’s primary objective will be to build the “non-differentiating core” of the software-defined truck: a standardised digital platform and dedicated commercial vehicle operating system which will be open to Daimler and Volvo’s competitors.

The company says it has initiated cost cutting measures to decrease its expenses by approximately 55% to an average of USD2.7m per month, with the aim of maintaining the business as a going concern beyond the next twelve months.

When charging points are connected to the system, energy is distributed in a way that “ensures the constant availability of power” to each vehicle, according to Swarco brand Evolt Charging.

This initiative underscores Bosch's commitment to fostering technological innovation, particularly in areas such as energy efficiency, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, climate technologies, and healthcare systems.

Rocsys says its portfolio of products and services are intended to simplify the introduction and scaleup of autonomous charging operations.

The Israeli company successfully raised USD36.4m from offering its shares to a group of strategic investors, which “strengthens [the company’s] cash position ahead of planned vehicle deliveries”.

AI-powered platform to help improve logistics efficiency.

Their first joint project is a workshop benchmarking system aimed at helping commercial vehicle workshops identify opportunities to improve sales and streamline operations. This system will be tested and further developed in collaboration with selected pilot workshops in the Netherlands and Germany. ​

The two companies will partner to develop a software platform shared across Traton’s brands, including MAN, Scania, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus.