Southfield’s Denso Taps Racecar Drafting Principles to Gain Trucking Efficiencies

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Southfield-based Denso International America Inc. has entered into an investment agreement with Peloton Technology, a developer of systems that advance safety and fuel savings for large truck transportation fleets that’s similar to drafting in racecars. Denso and Intel Capital co-led the $16 million Series A investment round.

"As a leader in vehicle-to-vehicle technologies, we are eager to work closely with Peloton to implement the first large-scale deployment of a vehicle-to-vehicle system,” says Tony Cannestra, director of corporate ventures for Denso International America. “Denso believes that Peloton's system has the potential to help increase safety and fuel savings in the transportation industry."

Peloton Technology uses platooning vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure wireless communication and radar to streamline routes. When trucks travel closely together, they create an aerodynamic system in which the lead truck pushes through the air leaving a wake behind it, and the second truck is able to slip into that disturbed air stream. The communication system allows for trucks to “talk” with each other and safely follow another truck.

Cannestra says Denso has been researching and developing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-system technology for more than a decade. He says the technology “could potentially help large fleet vehicles reduce fuel consumption by 10 percent for the rear truck and 4.5 percent for the front truck.”

Denso International America employs about 17,000 at 33 consolidated companies and affiliates. Denso’s North American consolidated sales totaled $8 billion last year.