The transportation industry and technology companies are investing heavily in trucking tech, leading to numerous innovative solutions. Indeed, these new technologies offer fleet owners a competitive edge, save money, enhance service levels, and reduce accidents. In this article, I’ll share with you 9 awesome innovations that are revolutionizing trucking tech and the trucking industry.

Autonomous Truck R&D, The Main Catalyst Behind Trucking Tech Advances Today.

While commercially viable autonomous trucks may still be years away, the technology is already making a significant impact today. With investments of billions of dollars, autonomous vehicle initiatives have pushed the boundaries of technologies like IoT sensors, computer vision, and AI. This rapid advancement in truck tech innovations is much akin to 1960s space exploration efforts that advanced many of the technologies we enjoy today. Without a doubt, autonomous truck research and development is reshaping how trucking companies adopt and utilize technology, driving the industry forward.

9 Awesome Trucking Tech Innovations.

Again, many trucking tech innovations are driven by autonomous vehicle initiatives. Specifically, below I’ll share with you the top nine trucking tech innovations that are re-shaping the trucking industry today and how these technologies can help fleet owners.

1. Electric Trucks Improves Operations for Short-Distance Delivery Fleets.

In the last couple of years, large delivery fleet owners have increasingly adopted electric trucks due to improvements in batteries and government incentives. This is expected to lead to long-term cost savings and significant reductions in CO2 emissions, particularly as carbon taxes become more prevalent. However, challenges remain, such as ensuring adequate charging infrastructure is available and improving battery life to support long-distance trucking. Click here for more details on electric delivery vans and trucks.

2. Forward-looking Camera Systems Now Better Quality, More Data Storage.

Indeed, truckers have used In-cab camera systems or “dash cams” for years. Now, these systems are getting better in terms of image technology and digital storage. As a result, this technology is helping with minimizing insurance claims, lawsuits, and encouraging safe driving (See details). As an example, a recent study showed that almost 85% of crashes between commercial drivers and cars were the fault of the car driver.

3. Collision Mitigation Trucking Tech Reduces Accidents.

Without a doubt, collision mitigation technology continues to improve. Specifically, it is getting better at monitoring what’s going on around a truck. Additionally, it monitors the truck’s speed and encourages safe driving. Most important, this technology increasingly takes more auto­nomous emergency action when it detects possible hazardous conditions. Click here for more on Collision Mitigation technology.

4. Electronic Logging Devices Data Can Be Invaluable to Help Manage Fleet Operations.

Though a government requirement, Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) data can also be invaluable for managing trucking operations. For example, having historical information about a truck drivers’ hours of service (HOS) can be very valuable when combined with other data and fed into a fleet management system.

5. Preventative Maintenance Truck Tech Saves Money And Prevents Accidents.

Thanks to continuing advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, truck tech preventive maintenance continues to improve. More and more IoT sensors are connected to information systems. Thus, these truck sensors can transmit several metrics to include engine performance, tire status, and much more. Also, these systems do diagnostic troubleshooting and keep up with service checks. The result is significant reductions in mechanical failure, reduced repair time, and reduced diagnostic time. Click here for more details.

6. Trailer and Freight Status Monitoring To Track Location, Environmental Status and Space Available.

Internet Of Things Examples – Hidden Technology Automating Logistics

Especially in the pharmaceutical and food industry, transportation carriers use environmental sensors to monitor cargo status. Now, these sensors can monitor cargo continuously. Additionally, they are also tied real-time to information systems. With current environmental information, carriers can prevent spoilage as well assure that products are kept at required temperatures and humidity. 

Also, the increasing use of real-time IoT sensors is transforming trailer management where these devices can provide dispatchers with up-to-the-minute information on available cargo space. This enables fleet operators to capitalize on ad hoc opportunities to pick up additional loads. This technology also enhances security by monitoring for suspicious activity and aiding in theft recovery through precise trailer location tracking. Lastly, IoT devices are now being tied into trailer and yard management systems to optimize trailer utilization and streamline logistics operations. For more details, see my article, Internet Of Things Examples – Hidden Technology Automating Logistics.

7. Dynamic Routing To Save Time, Save Fuel, and Increase Revenue 

It used to be a daily process where dispatchers aided by routing software would identify the loads and routes for each truck. Then if anything changed throughout the day, tough luck. Now with more advanced software, communications, and sensors, trucks can be routed dynamically.

Specifically, software can now account for a number of factors to include – current trailer capacity, traffic data, weather, warehouse lead time, and more. Additionally, the AI-driven software can provide drivers route options and predicted arrival times to name a few. Hence, this truck technology saves driver time, increases fuel efficiency, and also provides more revenue opportunities with increased loads transported. Click here for more details on dynamic routing tech.

8. Autonomous Truck Platooning Is A Huge Cost Saver For Long-Distance Team Driving.

This autonomous truck solution holds great promise and appears feasible in the short-term. To explain, this multiple-truck solution actually uses autonomous trucks where the lead truck is driven by a human and the trailing truck is autonomous. Definitely, this “follow the leader” strategy has many advantages to include better traffic management, road safety, cost reductions, and overall efficiency. Click here for more on autonomous truck platooning

9. Fleet Management Apps

With cloud technology and readily available wireless data communications, fleet management systems are just not for the “big guys”. Now, any size fleet can take advantage of cloud software to help them manage their fleet. Additionally, these information management systems are data-rich and have many capabilities. Capabilities include the latest technologies such as predictive AI, IoT sensor devices, BI dashboards and machine vision to name a few. To detail, see my article Private Fleet Management System (FMS): When You Need Vs TMS, How To Make Selection.

Private Fleet Management System (FMS): When You Need vs TMS, How To Make Selection

More References.

For more information on innovations in trucking technologies, see nmcat’s Technologies That are Changing the Trucking Industry, ApprovedForwarders’ How Technology is Revolutionizing the Trucking Industry, TCITransportation’s The Latest Advances in Trucking Tech, UnitedWorldTransportation’s Most Innovative Trucking Tech That Has Us Excited, and FleetOwner’s Truck Technologies You Need and Why.

Logistics Technology 2025 Trends: The Best Advice To Empower Your Supply Chain Right

Need help with an innovative supply chain solution that leverages emerging information technologies? I’m Randy McClure, and I’ve spent many years helping logistics organizations to make the most of new information technologies. As a supply chain tech advisor, I’ve implemented hundreds of successful projects across all transportation modes, working with the data of thousands of shippers, carriers, and 3rd party logistics (3PL) providers. I specialize in new strategies, proof-of-concepts and operational pilot projects using emerging technologies and methodologies. If you’re ready to supercharge your supply chain or if you are a solution provider, let’s talk. To reach me, click here to access my contact form or you can find me on LinkedIn.

For more information from Supply Chain Tech Insights, see articles on Information Technology and Transportation.