During the past several years, there has been much discussion at meetings of the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), SAE International, and other industry groups about what the future of the tractor-to-trailer electrical interface will look like. The need to move beyond the venerable SAE J560 connector and supporting harness is unavoidable, given the proliferation of smart technologies not just on tractor but also on trailers. 

While consensus on what that next generation interface will become remains elusive, the eventual transition to a new interface with greater power and communication capabilities is only one aspect of a larger need to revolutionize combination-vehicle interconnectivity. The trucking industry needs to think beyond the harness and develop innovations for the entire combination vehicle electronic architecture — this, to take full advantage of the amazing advances that are fast coming to fleet operations. 

Software and hardware will become fully integrated elements in tomorrow’s commercial vehicles and fleet managers need to be aware of how these revolutionary changes will enhance and transform the way they conduct maintenance. Are you prepared for what comes next? 

During this session, an expert panel will explore how the software-defined vehicle is changing trucking operations and present practical examples of what this new-found inoperability can provide. From diagnostics to health-based reporting, the commercial vehicle of the future will provide information and functionality on a scale that’s never been seen before. This is your opportunity to learn where the industry is going so you can take early advantage of the amazing advances that lie beyond the harness.