Today (Wednesday) @ MATS: new products unveiled, show opens Thursday

user-gravatar Headshot
Updated Mar 27, 2015
A small army of workers today prepared the 1,000 exhibits for Thursday’s opening of MATS.

Here’s some of what went on at the Mid-America Trucking Show at the Kentucky Exposition center in Louisville today.

As exhibitors continued to move into the 1.2 million square feet occupied by the show and custom show trucks arrive for the PKY Truck Beauty competition, numerous equipment manufacturers unveiled their latest products.

Bendix Chairman & President Joe McAleese at MATS Wednesday

Bendix Rolls Out Wingman Fusion

Calling it “revolutionary” and “ground-breaking”, Bendix showed off Wingman Fusion, its latest drive assist package that uses an on-board camera, radar connected to the truck’s braking system.

“It helps the driver if he has a bad day,” said T.J. Thomas, director of marketing and customer solutions at the first press event of the day.

Bendix President & CEO Joe McAleese listed the three things he said keeps him awake at night:

  • The continuing driver shortage “with no end in sight”
  • Continuing regulatory change
  • The pace of industry acceptance of new safety technology

McAleese said his company had “one heck of a year” in 2014, and expects more of the same in 2015, when Bendix celebrates its 85th anniversary. He said Bendix is beginning the process of building a new headquarters because it has outgrown its existing home.

WABCO President of American operations Nik Varty

WABCO Unveils New Safety Assist

WABCO launched its most advanced collision mitigation system yet at the 2015 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville this morning.

Nik Varty, president of WABCO’s North American business, said the new OnGuardACTIVE system uses a 77 GHz radar to provide higher target visibility at longer ranges. The new system is more accurate, he says, and can actively track both moving, and stationary targets to provide even greater collision avoidance measures. The new radar system works in all weather conditions and a dual-mode allows both long-range and adjacent lane views.

Varty says OnGuardACTIVE alerts the driver to potentially critical driving situations via acoustic, visual and vibration signals. Should the vehicle operator fail to take corrective action, the system provides active braking on moving, stopping and stationary vehicles to mitigate or prevent impending rear-end collisions. Additionally, OnGuardACTIVE is capable of delivering up to full braking on moving and stopping vehicles and can bring the vehicle to a complete stop. It can also deliver partial braking on stationary vehicles.

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

Cummins Gives First Look at Green Engine

Tuesday night, Cummins offered a sneak-peek at its 2017 greenhouse gas engine technology.

While details remain sparse, Srikanth Padmanabhan, vice president of the company’s engine business noted that the ISX15 will feature enhancements including a more efficient turbocharger and reduced parasitic energy loss. The engine will be offered in distinct designs optimized for either performance or fuel economy. Power ratings will range from 400 to 605 horsepower.

MATS opens to the public at 1 p.m. Thursday and runs until 6 p.m. Friday’s show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday’s are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bendix's Joe McAleeseBendix's Joe McAleese

Booth preparations under wayBooth preparations under way

WABCO's Nik VartyWABCO's Nik Varty

Paccar engines on displayPaccar engines on display

Peterbilt's exhibitPeterbilt's exhibit

Arrow Truck SalesArrow Truck Sales

Custom sleepers on displayCustom sleepers on display

Truck gets a lift at MATSTruck gets a lift at MATS

One of many trailer exhibitorsOne of many trailer exhibitors

Trucks welcome MATS visitorsTrucks welcome MATS visitors

Kenworth exhibitKenworth exhibit