“With low noise level and emission-free operation, electric bus systems provide an excellent alternative for attractive and sustainable public transport. With various degrees of automation, we can make even further progress regarding safety, comfort and efficiency.  Leveraging Volvo Group technologies, we will demonstrate these opportunities for the future during the Volvo Ocean Race,” says Håkan Agnevall, President Volvo Buses.

The autonomous 12-metre bus is designed to give its passengers a safe and comfortable ride. It is programmed to accelerate and brake gently and smoothly when starting off and stopping. At bus stops, the bus always halts in exactly the same position, with the same gap between the bus and the platform for convenient entry and exit. The bus is equipped with sensors that maintain a constant watch around the vehicle. Information from the sensors is used to navigate the vehicle, and also in the future to prevent incidents and accidents by identifying objects approaching the bus, adjusting its speed accordingly or stopping the bus. The autonomous bus is designed for gentle driving so that its operation is as energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and economical as possible.

“The technology also permits more efficient vehicle handling when the bus is not in traffic operation. With autonomous buses depot staff can focus on service and maintenance instead of having to charge the batteries, drive to the bus wash and park the bus. Tomorrow’s buses will be able to do all this on their own,” relates Håkan Agnevall.

The autonomous bus will also be used for research into bus platooning, where buses drive in close convoy in urban traffic.

“Volvo has been a pioneer within high capacity transport systems based on buses, so called Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Now we take the next step by using automation to wirelessly connect the buses to bus trains with high flexibility”, says Håkan Agnevall, adding that “Electric bus systems provide an attractive alternative to rail bound solutions in the cities’ future public transport

Over the next two years the bus will be used in two automotive research projects – FFI’s Autonomous City Buses project and KRABAT. FFI is the Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation Programme, a cooperative venture between the automotive industry and the Swedish state. KRABAT is part of the Swedish government’s joint programme entitled “Next-generation travel and transport”, financed partly by Vinnova through Drive Sweden.

Earlier this year Volvo Buses launched a joint autonomous electric bus project with the leading Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore for developing and trialling autonomous buses in Singapore. Volvo Group has previously demonstrated autonomous vehicles for mining and refuse operations

Source: Volvo Buses

With this new design, the BPW engineers were able to reduce the number of components. In a multifunctional adjuster (MFA) the most important functions are logically integrated into a small number of innovative components. This means less interfaces and so fewer possible errors.

 'As we have integrated the most important functions into a small number of innovative components, the number of interfaces is reduced even further, whilst the robustness of the overall system has increased,' explains Bernhard Rossenbach, Head of Product Management at BPW. In addition, the reduction in components makes the brakes lighter and more compact – in the case of a three-axle truck, a whole twelve kilograms of usable load is gained.

Another advantage is the usual user friendliness: the innovative compact design combined with BPW ECO Technology makes dismantling the brake caliper unnecessary when changing discs – and, compared to conventional systems, saves up to three hours in the workshop per vehicle.

“The product has been perfectly thought out, very high-quality and durable,” says Carlos Lazzarini, member of the Board of Management, Sales Trailer Equipment & Solutions at BPW. “'These brakes ooze the know-how and experience of BPW, the biggest trailer brake manufacturer in Europe. As the only axle manufacturer producing its own disc brakes we know the overall system and are a competent contact person for our customers, who we can help quickly and directly,” added Lazzarini.

BPW Bergische Achsen KG's Eco Disc has been demonstrating its top quality in action out on the road for nine years. More than two million brakes have been produced in Hunsheim near the BPW headquarters in Wiehl: it is one of the most widely sold trailer disc brakes in the European market. With this reworking the new models TS2 3709 and TS2 4309 replace their predecessors: axles will be gradually converted to the new generation of trailer disc brakes from the start of 2019.

Source: IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 2018