Cascade Drives, a Swedish manufacturer specializing in heavy-duty vehicle applications and technologies, revealed its new electric power steering assist system for commercial vehicles last month at IAA Transportation in Hannover, Germany.
Speaking to Clean Trucking, CEO Kristian Floresjo claims the system, called TruEPS, is an industry "game changer" because it's been designed to replace older hydraulic servo systems and also provides a better way to perform single- and multi-axle steering in electric Class 4 and higher commercial vehicles.
"The system can normally replace existing steering systems as a drop-in. The reason for replacing an existing hydraulic system could be controllability requirements as well as functional safety, such as redundance requirements, when moving towards automated driving."
TruEPS is a powerful and robust electromechanical system that's also compact, efficient, fast, and accurate. Floresjo also points out that it doesn't suffer from degradation due to wear from shock-loading. Both front and rear steering systems are fully by wire and provides a flexible installation layout to accommodate both drag link replacement and center mounted setups.
At IAA, Cascade demonstrated the system on an independent front suspension axle provided by Italian Tier 1 supplier BRIST.
βItβs truly commendable that a Tier 1 player has chosen to showcase a solution with our electric power steering incorporated into the project. That does not only reduce environmental footprint but also enhances efficiency and steering precision,β said Floresjo.
The CEO could not disclose which OEMs his company is working to finalize sales deals with, only saying that "our customers are OEMs within airport ground handling, terminal tractors, people movers, buses, autonomous trucks, etc."
At present, the system is still undergoing the homologation process in both the US and EU. Floresjo is confident it will be ready to go by year's end, and order are currently being accepted. Pricing details were not provided.