I-See a fuel saving future for Volvo Trucks

 

The I-See System (pictured) operates like an auto-pilot and takes over gear changing for the truck driver while utilising gradients in a bid to save fuel. It actually uses the truck’s own kinetic energy to push a vehicle uphill – and on downhill gradients it uses the same energy to accelerate.

 

  

In order to make the most of the kinetic energy of the system: accelerates before the incline starts; avoids gear changes if possible near the brow of a hill; does not accelerate when approaching a descent but instead waits for gravity; starts free-wheeling ahead of a descent; starts braking well before the downhill slope ends; and releases the brakes at the end of the slope to pick up speed before a new ascent.

 

Linked to the transmission’s tilt sensor, the Volvo Trucks I-See System can obtain information about topography digitally and does not rely on maps so it is always dependable with the latest information. It can potentially recall around 4,000 gradients.

 

According to Hayder Wokil, the product manager at Volvo Trucks, the system can reduce fuel consumption by up to five per cent based on simulations and tests on public roads. For a truck in normal operation, travelling 140,000km a year, it will save around 1,000litres of fuel annually.

 

The I-See System will come on to the market in 2013.