Now They're Talking About "smart" Trailers

Considering the other aspects of smart technology that could be implemented in trailers besides cameras, we may see some of them soon. Would shippers like Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, or UPS install 3G cellular devices on the trailers? They already scan every package going into a trailer allowing the customer to see where the package is at a given time. Amazon already has this kind of tracking on the blue vans used for Amazon Now deliveries.

Two of my personal vehicles have a device called Automatic Pro (old version 3G no contract), that allows me to see where the vehicle is, where it has been. I also get notifications if the vehicle is in an accident, jack rabbit starts, or hard brakes. I installed them for different reasons, one was to track a 16-year-old and the other was to turn on automatic lights, adjust temperature at home before I arrive.

DaveW's post references gateways, devices, security, and analytics near the end. If the trailer had a small 3G box on the rooftop that connected to a door sensor, temperature sensor, and position sensor, it would feed a lot of information back to the shipper. I see something like that happening in the near future. Customers love to track their packages. I use Informed Delivery from the Post Office to see what is coming to my mailbox. If only I could see how far away my mail lady is with that package.

Individuals love to track their packages. Freight costumers usually only check if you're late and they do it by calling dispatch. If you have freight going from California to NJ, It's not going from hub to hub like FedEx does it's just going straight there. And being able to track that freight in real time online is a safety hazard.

All of these things cost money. At a time when freight rates are low and companies are competing with each other, it's an unnecessary expense.

Trucks already have the safety features you mentioned. Companies are made aware if you're speeding, have a hard stop or if you're tailgating. That has a ROI.

Why do you all get so upset and defensive about any new technology?

The world is changing get on board or get left behind. And I just find instead of having and open discussion it gets so defensive all the time now.

Why do you all get so upset and defensive about any new technology?

The world is changing get on board or get left behind. And I just find instead of having and open discussion it gets so defensive all the time now.

Nobody is upset or defensive about technology. The conversation was about cameras. They're a distraction and ineffective, that's my opinion. Nothing about that says I'm upset or being defensive. Back up cameras have been around for at least a decade. If they were worth the investment in a tractor trailer, don't you think a company would be all over that already? Think about all of the technology in tractors already. Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, they beep when you signal and something is next to you, they tell you how many seconds ahead the car in front of you is. I'm all for all of that, but I'm against cameras.

Why do you all get so upset and defensive about any new technology?

The world is changing get on board or get left behind. And I just find instead of having and open discussion it gets so defensive all the time now

It's the "change the world" overselling of technology that I thinks offends people.

I knew someone who paid $1,000 for a high end VCR in 1979. The only time he used the sophisticated technology of the VCR was to show it off to people.

Microwave ovens are another "change the world" technology that didn't. Despite the claims that it would replace your oven, it didn't.

Glad you are serious Southern Dad.

Looking forward to discussing topics relevant to your schooling and training.

The world is changing get on board or get left behind.

Jan, you've been telling us this for quite some time now. Somehow we're still in the game. Yet somehow you're convinced we're just a bunch of cavemen.

Whatever happened to the promise that everything would have an RFID tag on it and I could push my entire shopping cart full of groceries through the scanner at one time? They promised that like 20 years ago. My grocery folks still have to scan barcodes. That's so 1970's...literally! They introduced barcodes in 1974.

Whatever happened to the promise that everything would have an RFID tag on it and I could push my entire shopping cart full of groceries through the scanner at one time? They promised that like 20 years ago. My grocery folks still have to scan barcodes. That's so 1970's...literally! They introduced barcodes in 1974.

There ya go, Jan. Answer that one for us. And let all the grocery stores know they're getting left behind, would ya?

Old School wrote:

Southern Dad, I know it sounds like we're afraid of technology, but we're far from that. What we're afraid of is not being focused on what matters during critical moments.

Ditto... I agree totally with Old School's reply.

I was being totally honest with you SD (and not upset "Jan")...in 6+ years I have never once wished I had a camera perched on the end of my trailer. And if you (or Jan) believe I am anti-technology, please read my profile. Not so at all. But I am pragmatic, practical and realistic when it comes to this sort of thing.

SD I can only speak for Walmart (because I run NE Dedicated for them), they have smart technology on all of their trailers...to the point if I enter an invalid trailer # while sending status macros, their system knows I am under a trailer with a number that doesn't match the number I entered. It knows when the door is opened and closed...if I am looking for a trailer # at the DC and can't find it? All I need to-do is flag down a spotter and they can pull up an overhead satellite view of the entire property and tell me exactly where the trailer is located. I am sure a variety of other data is also captured and transmitted.

I have several pics I can share...will post when I have a moment later on tonight.

I love technology. My house is loaded with smart home technology. Even my chicken house is smart. Trailers have added skirts and tails to get better mpg. Monitors for 4 wheelers to see ahead is an excellent idea. Another great idea is a camera that transmits to the driver, like RVs have.

One of the trucks I drive has this. When you turn on the right turn signal a camera on that side turns on and displays an image down the right side of the truck and into the next lane.