Axicle Engineering developed an anti-rollover fifth wheel system designed to prevent semi-truck operators from fully rolling over due to these high winds. The Tractor Anti Rollover System (TARS) would keep the driver and truck on the road while it unlatches and detaches the trailer when met with an “unrecoverable rollover condition.” Axicle claims a 99.99% accuracy with the help of its algorithm and sensors. Currently, TARS is designed for class-8 trucks. Earlier this year, Axicle used a Boeing 777 to test out its TARS system by using the jet engines to knock down the semi-truck and its load. The system worked just as promised, keeping the truck upright while the trailer was tipped over.
thats all we need is flying trailers to dodge on the roads... if this has a malfunction id only assume the trailer will break away from the truck without notice and we will see more of those problems happen which wont kill the driver but will kill whoever is behind that trailer or in the vicinity... seems like they are trying to solve a problem that doesnt necessarily exist.. if we had good drivers on the road there would be no rollovers from wind storms.. flying trailers is not the answer... education and the ability to think for ones self is the solution to this problem.
What d.tibbit said, surely such a technological marvel will be well maintained and 100% errorproof for the full duration of the vehicle's life... Why are people solving problems that dont exist with solutions guaranteed to make a mess?
The first thing I thought when I saw the video. You can’t even get a driver…err steering wheel holder to grease a fifth wheel much less maintain a system like this.
kinda ironic, they used a "TIP" trailer, to be "TIPPED" over. it'll still be a rollover in my eyes, damage will still occur, i cannot see any viable use for this.
My guess would be trying to save the tractor, driver injuries, workmans comp claims, things like that. When in reality if it's that windy the safest thing to do is just park it.
just spitballing here but i wonder what sensor they have controlling the disconnect function? what if you hit a big enough bump on the road which would cause the sensors to trigger the trailer release system and bam, there goes your trailer unhooking in the middle of i-70
I'm suspect of the whole video & surprised the tractor didn't blow over too. I mean a jet engine? C'mon, they both should have flipped. Was it anchored down for the purpose of making the video?? They really don't go into much detail.
They showed an anemometer on the trailer. Not sure if that was just for the test or if that was supposed to be part of the system. If it was it would get knocked off at the first demolition derby that are these drop yards and rendered useless.
