--- title: "Keeping the wheels turning: Today’s Truck Technology" description: Technology has created devices in which driver control is literally at their fingertips. The majority of refuse trucks are now equipped with, read more here image: https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/Blog_images/US/loglift-118s-hivision_pl16_004_argb_office_70049.jpg --- [![](https://www.onspot.com/imagevault/publishedmedia/ewjmu1x672ip2pj4oovu/Onspot_Logo.png)](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/) - [Why Onspot](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/why-onspot/) - Knowledge - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/overview/) - [Ways to increase traction](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/ways-to-increase-traction/) - [For fleet managers](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-fleet-managers/) - [For drivers](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-drivers/) - [For mechanics](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-mechanics/) - [Rules & regulations](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/rules--regulations/) - [Knowledge centre](https://knowledge.onspot.com/knowledge-centre-for-winter-driving-and-traction) - The product - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/overview/) - [Testimonials](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/testimonials/) - [FAQ](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/faq/) - [Documents, manuals and brochures](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/documents-manuals-brochures/) - [Tech specs](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/tech-specs2/) - [Spare parts](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/spare-parts/) - [Configurator](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/configurator/) - About us - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/about-onspot/overview/) - [History](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/about-onspot/history/) - [News & Press releases](https://intblog.onspot.com/news-press-releases) - Blog - [Blog articles](https://intblog.onspot.com/) - [All about automatic snow chains](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-gb/all-about-automatic-snow-chains) - [Traction aid for heavy vehicles](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-gb/traction-aid-for-heavy-vehicles) - Find us - [For Dealers & Service](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/find-us/for-dealers--service/) - [Events](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/find-us/events/) - [E-Training](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/training/) - [English](https://onspot.com/?s=false) - [Contact us](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/contact-us/) # Keeping the wheels turning: Today’s Truck Technology Written by [Leonard D'Orlando](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/leonard-dorlando), September 10, 2017 Through major advances in technology, the trucks of today have surpassed the trucks of yesterday in terms of efficiency and safety. Today, not only can fleet owners and mechanics track the location of their trucks, they are also able to get real time diagnostic data while the truck is on the road. The drivers of these trucks also benefit from new advances in technology accomplishing the majority of their work from the safety and security of the cab. One of the advances in technology for today’s trucks is over air programming or what some manufacturers refer to as the virtual technician. Regardless of the name, this system is like having a technician on board the truck at all times. The program remotely interfaces with the trucks electronics giving a technician access to the operating system. So, while the driver continues down the road, the technician in the shop can retrieve, manage, and even adjust data received from the truck in real time. Being able to oversee the performance of the truck in this manner helps optimize the reliability and productivity of the truck all while keeping the driver on the road. ![remoteupdates_4c.png](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/1848213/hubfs/Blog%20Images/remoteupdates_4c.png?width=680&height=381&name=remoteupdates_4c.png)Some advances in safety on today’s modern trucks are active braking, adaptive cruise control, and dynamic steering. Active braking is a type of electronic stability control system that helps to aid the driver when driving on slippery conditions or under heavy braking. In these cases, the system varies the brake pressure applied to each wheel helping to significantly reduce wheel lockup and maintain stability. This in turn helps to avoid accidents by allowing the driver to keep the truck headed in the direction they are trying to go. ## Adaptive cruise control Adaptive cruise control is another form of collision mitigating technology that adjusts the vehicles speed. When adaptive cruise control is used by the driver, it enables the truck to adjust its speed based on a predetermined length from the vehicle ahead of it. Therefore, if a truck is running at 90 km/h and the road ahead is clear it will continue at this speed. If, however, a vehicle should enter in front of the truck and proceed to drive at a slower rate of speed the system will slow down until the predetermined distance is once again obtained. ![Adaptive-Cruise-Control-(1)-370892-edited.jpg](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/1848213/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Adaptive-Cruise-Control-(1)-370892-edited.jpg?width=640&name=Adaptive-Cruise-Control-(1)-370892-edited.jpg) Dynamic steering is another feature used on today’s modern trucks to aid in making the driver’s job easier. When driving at low speeds, the system reduces the effort it takes the driver to turn the steering wheel making it easier for them to accomplish what is necessary. This is especially true when backing into a dock where considerable steering input is required to get the job done. When the driver is relaxed there is less chance for an accident to the vehicle and less injury to the driver. Dynamic steering also greatly reduces steering wheel vibration caused by disturbances on the road surface such as bumps and pot holes. ![1_how_it_works_488x325.jpg](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/1848213/hubfs/Blog%20Images/1_how_it_works_488x325.jpg?width=640&name=1_how_it_works_488x325.jpg) ## The driver control is at the fingertips... Technology has also created devices in which driver control is literally at their fingertips. Today, the majority of refuse trucks are now equipped with **automated arms** so the driver no longer has to enter and exit the truck at every stop saving time and keeping the driver safe. Advances with trucks in the logging industry have also produced a system where the driver uses virtual reality to get the job done. Instead of the driver having to leave the safety of their cab to operate an articulated crane when loading logs, they can now simply put on a head mounted camera based vision system. This vision system gives the driver a 3-D view of their surroundings as they use hand controls to maneuver the articulated crane where needed (see above). The [**Onspot automatic snow chain system**](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/overview/) is another device used to keep a driver safe while providing them with available traction on snow and ice. Instead of the driver having to get out and chain up with conventional chains (typically done in adverse weather), the driver simply press a button in the cab to activate the chains. These chains are then deployed between the tire and the road surface allowing the driver to keep the wheels turning all from the comfort of their cab. ![Onspot_PressingButton 4x3.jpg](https://intblog.onspot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/Product_Images/Onspot_PressingButton%204x3.jpg?width=572&name=Onspot_PressingButton%204x3.jpg) Watch the video what some fleet managers say about Automatic Snow Chains: [![Why I use Automatic Snow Chains](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1905643/301389e8-fcec-488c-875d-7c75b5c1451b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1905643/301389e8-fcec-488c-875d-7c75b5c1451b) [Truck driver safety](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/truck-driver-safety) [Improving Fleet Productivity](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-fleet-productivity) [Automatic Snow Chains](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-snow-chains) ![Leonard D'Orlando](https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/North_America/Authors/Len%2016-9.jpg) #### About [Leonard D'Orlando](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/leonard-dorlando) Leonard has six years with Onspot Automatic Tire Chains in North America. Four years as a field technician on the East Coast and two years as a Regional Sales Manager. During the four years as a field technician Leonard provided install and maintenance training to dealers. Leonard also performed fleet reviews for customers and provided technical service support. An alumnus from the University of Maine, Leonard graduated with a B.A. in English and a concentration in Education. Leonard also attended Texas State Technical College where he earned an associate’s degree in automotive mechanics. ## Comments ### Subscribe to blog updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Automatic Snow Chains (74)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-snow-chains) - [Fleet Managers (53)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-managers) - [Rescue Driving (44)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/rescue-driving) - [onspot (43)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/onspot) - [Commercial Drivers (42)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/commercial-drivers) - [Improving Fleet Productivity (37)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-fleet-productivity) - [For Mechanics (35)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/for-mechanics) - [Slippery Roads (31)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/slippery-roads) - [Content for commercial drivers (28)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/content-for-commercial-drivers) - [Improve performance on icy roads (26)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improve-performance-on-icy-roads) - [Truck driver safety (24)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/truck-driver-safety) - [automatic tire chains (21)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-tire-chains) - [Winter equipment (19)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/winter-equipment) - [School bus driving (18)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-driving) - [Traction aid for heavy vehicles (18)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction-aid-for-heavy-vehicles) - [Maintenance (17)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/maintenance) - [Snow chain (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/snow-chain) - [Winter driving tips (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/winter-driving-tips) - [traction (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction) - [Commercial Driver (15)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/commercial-driver) - [tire chains (15)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/tire-chains) - [School Bus Safety (14)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-safety) - [driver safety (14)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/driver-safety) - [icy conditions (13)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/icy-conditions) - [How to keep up with the schedule (12)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/how-to-keep-up-with-the-schedule) - [e-training (12)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/e-training) - [All about automatic snow chains (11)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/all-about-automatic-snow-chains) - [snow chains (11)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/snow-chains) - [Rescue Vehicles (10)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/rescue-vehicles) - [Response time – a challenge for the rescue driver (10)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/response-time-a-challenge-for-the-rescue-driver) - [Fire Truck (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fire-truck) - [Improving performance on icy roads (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-performance-on-icy-roads) - [school bus driver (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-driver) - [Ambulance (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/ambulance) - [Fleet Maintenance (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-maintenance) - [Fleet Productivity (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-productivity) - [Response Time (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/response-time) - [Delivery (7)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/delivery) - [Engineering (7)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/engineering) - [Autonomous Vehicles (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/autonomous-vehicles) - [Service (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/service) - [Traction aids for heavy vehicles (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction-aids-for-heavy-vehicles) - [All about automatic tire chains (5)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/all-about-automatic-tire-chains) - [Tips on driving a school bus in adverse conditions (5)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/tips-on-driving-a-school-bus-in-adverse-conditions) - [Black ice (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/black-ice) - [Off Season Productivity (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/off-season-productivity) - [fleet efficiency (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-efficiency) - [improve performance on slippery roads (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improve-performance-on-slippery-roads) - [improving uptime (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-uptime) - [Happy New Year (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/happy-new-year) - [Schedule (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/schedule) - [checklist (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/checklist) - [health tips for drivers (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/health-tips-for-drivers) - [5 ways to improve uptime of your fleets! 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