Commercial vehicle air brake manufacturer WABCO is showcasing its latest trailer remote diagnostics technology integrated with the TrailerGUARD telematics system at the 2012 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany.
According to WABCO, the TrailerGUARD’s new remote diagnostics function is the industry’s first of its kind for a trailer’s electronic braking and air suspension control system for trailers. It allows remote diagnosis by providing information about the trailer’s technical status in real-time. Fleet operators receive a diagnostic code via the easy-to-use TrailerGUARD internet portal that allows operators to decide whether to replace or repair the trailer before it suffers damage. With its new remote diagnostics function, TrailerGUARD enhances real-time support during transport.
“WABCO’s TrailerGUARD sets the transport industry’s standard to further optimizse utilizsation of trailer fleets and to reduce operating costs through remote diagnostics technology,” WABCO Vice President of Trailer Systems and Aftermarket, Nick Rens said.
“With its new remote diagnostics function, TrailerGUARD demonstrates WABCO’s passion for innovation as we continue to help transport professionals to increase vehicle safety and efficiency while also enabling them to assess their current assets and future investments.”
The TrailerGUARD telematics also allows fleet managers to remotely monitor the vehicle’s various operating data such as brake wear, mileage, axle load, tyire pressure, temperature inside a refrigerated trailer and door status, among other operating functions. Workshops can remotely download the vehicle’s diagnostic code history before the vehicle is at their premises, ensuring that necessary spare parts are available. It optimiszes maintenance efforts, resulting in reduced downtime and lower related costs.
In addition, WABCO also unveiled an enhanced version of the MAXX 22T, part of its MAXX range of single-piston air disc braking technology. Specifically designed for trailers, the MAXX 22T is being adopted for series production in 2013 by one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of commercial trailers. MAXX 22T further improves the weight-performance ratio of WABCO’s single-piston PAN trailer braking technology, which is recognized as one of the industry’s most successful air disc brakes. 
“Our new and improved MAXX range further demonstrates WABCO’s technology leadership as we extend our breakthrough single-piston air disc brakes into specific truck, bus and trailer applications in different regions of the world,” WABCO Vice President for Compression and Braking, Mike Thompson said.
“WABCO’s MAXX and MAXXUS air disc brakes represent a game-changing generation of high performance, low weight braking technology that further improves vehicle safety and efficiency through our passion for innovation.”