NASHVILLE, Tennessee—Dragonfly Energy is making its Battle Born Batteries more intelligent to help trucking fleets better understand how their auxiliary power units are performing on heavy-duty equipment.
The energy-storage company showcased its new Dragonfly IntelLigence technology at the American Trucking Associations’ annual Management Conference & Exhibition here at the Music City Center. The patent-pending smart battery technology gives fleets and truck drivers real-time system monitoring and app-based connectivity, providing full visibility over their battery system, Wade Seaburg, chief revenue officer of Dragonfly Energy, said during a press conference.
He said the app-based system allows drivers to monitor the Battle Born All-Electric Auxiliary Power Unit. Dragonfly IntelLigence shows drivers how the lithium-powered APU system will maintain power during rest periods, eliminating the need for idling or auto start/stop.
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“You'll be able to see what your state of charge is so that driver, while he's in the cab before he lays his head on the pillow, will know he has enough power to make it through all 10 hours, and he's not going to get interrupted,” Seaburg explained. “His CPAP machine isn't going to glitch out on him because of low voltage.”
The system combines a wireless mesh network with Bluetooth connectivity via the Battle Born mobile app to monitor battery life, set custom alerts, and access historical usage data. Seaburg said the Dragonfly system’s connectivity sets it apart. The Dragonfly IntelLigence Hub allows OEMs to transmit battery data via external communication protocols, such as recreation vehicle-CAN, allowing for seamless integration with in-cab displays and fleet management systems.
The technology, already used in various industries, offers advanced monitoring and diagnostics for lithium-ion batteries, replacing lead-acid batteries. It provides real-time alerts, customizable alerts, and historical data through the cloud. The system integrates with existing vehicle systems and offers environmental benefits by reducing emissions and idling.
Dragonfly batteries, built in Reno, Nevada, have a 10-year warranty and are designed to perform optimally in extreme cold conditions. The intelligence upgrade is now available for fleets and OEMs, including an iOS app in the Apple Store. The product will be available to owner-operators by mid-January when Dragonfly plans to release its Android app.
“The integration of our patented Dragonfly IntelLigence technology marks a significant advancement for our APU solution,” Seaburg added.
