Artificial intelligence is now making its way into the axles of industrial vehicles. This development was announced on June 6, 2024, by the German manufacturer BPW with the new iC Plus generation. The goal is to enhance predictive maintenance and improve safety. The system includes algorithms that monitor critical axle components, particularly the brakes. "iC Plus informs the driver, fleet manager, and shipper when the brakes need to be checked in the workshop," the company explained in a statement.
As is well known, brake failures can be caused by a faulty air hose, a loose brake caliper, or a weakened spring on the cylinder. Artificial intelligence detects such failures before they lead to costly breakdowns or even accidents.
BPW's system does not require separate sensors to analyze braking performance but instead accesses data collected in the EBS. In addition to brake pad wear sensors, artificial intelligence interprets maintenance and repair needs contextually and can identify temporary phenomena, such as those triggered by a bump on the road.
The iC Plus system can also measure brake lining wear, using a sensor that communicates data to the fleet manager, who can then schedule a workshop visit to replace the lining. The manufacturer has already tested this system in the UK for measuring brake performance, as the country's regulations require close monitoring of trailer brakes. Now, BPW announces that the innovation will be extended to the rest of Europe.
