TransCore announces new trailer tracking sensors, including an infrared cargo sensor and a temperature sensor, for use on its GlobalWave satellite communications products. Prices are less than $100 for purchases in volume.
GlobalWave lets users monitor, manage, track, and communicate with remote and mobile assets from a web interface. With six ground control stations providing service to five continents, the GlobalWave network supports more than 40,000 installed mobile terminals worldwide. Besides commercial trucking, GlobalWave products are used for many other applications including refrigerated goods management.
The cargo sensor detects the presence or absence of cargo. An event trigger is used to notify fleet managers when trailers are loaded and ready for pick-up or unloaded and ready for assignment. The cargo sensor transmits infrared light pulses down the length of the trailer, about 2 feet above the floor from the front of the trailer toward the rear door.
The temperature sensor allows a refrigerated truck temperature or even the inner skin of a tanker's temperature to be monitored. High or low temperature settings can be alarmed when settings are exceeded. These alarms are automatically sent by satellite to the fleet operations center.
All sensor data is fed into a GlobalWave data communications terminal mounted on the asset. The MT2000 can accept input from multiple sensors on a single asset. Data is relayed via satellite to a web-based interface for immediate use by a fleet operations center. Using this interface, the customer can access data reports tailored to operational needs. Reports can be requested on demand, triggered by an event such as a change in load status, or sent to the operator on a pre-scheduled basis. E-mail alerts also can be generated.
