WABCO Uses Automechanika 2016 to Launch Remote Diagnostics Platform

WABCO used Automechanika 2016 as the platform to launch its remote diagnostics pilot for fleets of commercial vehicles. WABCO is one of the leading companies in the world when it comes to technologies for improving the connectivity, safety and efficiency of commercial vehicles and the new platform can be used to monitor the performance of vehicles belonging to multiple brands with regard to several technical parameters.

The system can be used by fleet managers for early detection of failure of onboard systems so that proactive vehicle maintenance can be carried out. This is the first such platform to be launched in Europe which can support different brands of commercial vehicles and integrate the data received in a fleet management system, thus eliminating the need to learn, operate and support different systems for vehicles belonging to different brands of commercial vehicles.

WABCO worked along with WABCOWÜRTH Workshop Services and one of the company’s subsidiaries, Transics International, which is a leading Fleet Management Solutions provider in Europe to develop the system. The system uses data from WABCO’s stability, braking, and vehicle dynamics control systems, Transics’ industry-leading fleet management platform, and WABCOWÜRTH’s multi-brand diagnostic technology to monitor and take in data from all the electronic vehicle systems like engine control, braking, air suspension and driver assistance. This data is then transmitted to Transics’ fleet management back office software platform, TX-CONNECT. TX-CONNECT converts this data into information that is easily understood. Costs and vehicle downtime can thus be kept to minimum by reducing the need for unplanned maintenance, optimizing scheduling of services and avoiding failures.

Speaking about the new platform, Didier Nulens, Global Sales, Services and Marketing Leader, Transics International said that by using one system that can seamlessly work with all brands of vehicles, WABCO and its partners are simplifying remote diagnostics for commercial fleet operators. This will help commercial fleets to maximize asset utilization and improve operational efficiency.

Christian Loidolt, General Manager, WABCOWÜRTH said that by using the new platform to streamline vehicle diagnostics, fleet operators will have more time to focus on their core business. The platform takes vehicle connectivity to the next level, as it is now possible to solve problems and apply solutions in real time.

Andreas Manke, Fleetmanager and Controller of Bartkowiak GmbH, which is currently participating in WABCO’s Remote Diagnostics pilot program said that he was very pleased to have his fleet chosen as the first to test WABCO’s remote diagnostics solution in a real-world environment.

He added, “We are especially enthusiastic about moving from numerous different platforms to a single solution that works for all our vehicles from various manufacturers. As we gain experience with the system, we are discovering more opportunities to improve vehicle uptime and overall efficiency.”

Remote diagnostics facilitates predictive maintenance and the data collected from equipment sensors can be used as indicators of future performance. Thus, maintenance can be scheduled based on analysis rather than by a prescribed timeline and issues can be identified before failures occur, making service scheduling more efficient and streamlining root cause analysis.