NORTHVILLE, Michigan – ZF, a leading German technology company, has announced that it will be providing its OnTraX Lane Keeping Assist technology on 2023 model year Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. This marks the first time that ZF’s driver-assistance technology will be available on a commercial vehicle platform in North America. The move is a result of a partnership between ZF and PACCAR, a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and customer support of premium light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks.
Julien Plenchette, Senior Vice President, Americas with ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division, said, “We’re very pleased to partner with a global leader like PACCAR to integrate this critical safety technology into their newest truck platform. We continue to work closely with our Commercial Vehicle customers to provide ADAS technology that can help to make the roadways safer for all travelers.”
The OnTraX technology is activated once it determines the truck is within its lane and traveling 40-plus mph, or cruising speed. Using forward-facing cameras to “see” the edges of a marked lane, the system enables the lane-keeping assist technology. If the tractor starts drifting out of its lane without activating the turn signal, the system uses on-board processors to develop an action plan. The ReAX adaptive steering module then adjusts the steering torque and offers a gentle counter-steer, or slight nudge, to push the truck back into the appropriate lane. The driver can cross the lane without intervention when the turn signal is on. The system is also designed to recognize critical maneuvers due to hand wheel speed input from the driver, and ceases correction during obstacle avoidance.
The OnTraX technology will be produced at ZF’s Queretaro, Mexico, facility. As ZF continues to partner with other commercial vehicle customers to provide ADAS technology, it aims to create safer roadways for all.
