Volvo and ACEA co-operate on telematics to connect to the digital tachograph

The Heavy Truck Electronic Interface Group of ACEA - the European Automobile Manufacturers Association - have started an initiative to make the information stored in the Digital Tachograph accessible for telematics systems by downloading the data from the truck over the air. For this purpose, it is planned to extend the FMS Interface, an open standard for accessing electronic data of a truck’s CAN Bus.

Today’s transport companies face tremendous challenges in complying with legal requirements in accessing, storing and securing driver and vehicle data from the Digital Tachograph. This problem could be overcome by using telematics systems for downloading the data to a local computer, but up to now, it has not been possible to access and transmit these data in a secure, safe and uncomplicated way due to existing legal and technical barriers and yet unresolved regulatory issues.

The truck manufacturers represented by the Group - Volvo, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Scania, MAN, DAF and Iveco – are aiming for a solution in which the driver and vehicle data could be transmitted by telematics systems to the transport company, making any involvement of the driver dispensable and being independent of the location of the truck.

To realise this goal, political and regulatory as well as technical issues have to be solved. However, due to certification requirements of the European Union of this highly sensitive matter and necessary technical development of the manufactures of the Digital Tachograph, the Truck OEMs do not expect a solution before 2008/2009.

Nevertheless, the truck manufacturers are willing to undertake all actions needed to accelerate the certification and standardization process. Only a stable, secure and approved solution will reduce complexity and ease handling for the transport companies in complying with the extensive regulations concerning the Digital Tachograph.

“As part of Volvo’s efforts to reach this goal we have the ambition that the Dynafleet Online system will support this service”, says Per Adamsson, Director Soft Products at Product Strategy and Planning, Volvo Trucks.