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With no end in sight for high fuel prices, the pressure is on for the world’s truckers to take steps to cut back on fuel use or price themselves out of business. This task means changing driving styles as well as implementing aerodynamic changes to their vehicles. The latter technique is estimated to have the potential to save 2.4 Billion gallons of fuel annually. Do the math on that, line up the entrepreneurs and there’s a ginormous business opportunity at your feet.
Enter ATDyamics, who have invented a device called a “Trailer Tail” which is an aerodynamic attachment to the rear of a truck which results in 5-6% greater fuel efficiency. Match the Trailer Tail with side-skirt panels and you’ll get an additional 4-7%, tests show.
Of course such ideas come with unexpected challenges – The biggest – how do you close open the doors when there’s a tail on the truck?
The answer might be called “Truck Origami” – the tailer tail actually folds in on itself, collapsing against the doors so that they can be opened normally at a loading dock in a matter of seconds. The site has an eagles-themed video that can give you an idea as to how this works (link here).
Stating the obvious, CEO Andrew Smith says:
Suction drag at the tail end of a trailer causes the greatest amount of aerodynamic inefficiency still unaddressed by modern trailer designs. The worst shape to pull down the highway at 65 mph is a big rectangular box.
Considering the logic of Smith’s statement, it’s really a wonder why we haven’t seen technology like this emerge on a large scale before, such is the tragedy of nearsightedness inflicted when fuel prices are kept artificially low for so long. The good news is it’s clear that companies who are jumping at the opportunity early will emerge with a distinctly green competitive advantage – not only to their benefit, but to yours and mine.
Only drawback – no more drafting with your VW bug.
Comments
June 16, 2008 at 14:06 pm PDT | Julie Sammons writes:
I had the opportunity to hear Andrew Smith discuss the Trailer Tail at the Presidio School of Management this past spring, and was very impressed by his enthusiasm, energy, and words of advice for fellow entrepreneurs.
Collectively, we must solve truly significant design challenges in the immediate future, but it’s encouraging to see how even small-scale design alterations like the Trailer Tail can make a substantial impact.
Which other products and industries are begging for similar niche design solutions? The possibilities seem endless – from lighting to packaging to materials reduction and beyond.
June 18, 2008 at 0:57 am PDT | Tormod writes:
Brilliant – I suppose there is more to come in the end.. – but what happens to you if you rear-end a device like this? Will your car be cut in two pieces by these ‘blades’ or will they collapse on a rear-end impact?