Posted on 02/19/2014 4:53:43 AM PST by thackney
Youve never seen a transport truck quite like this.
Walmart created a concept truck to maximize efficiency on the road, and the result is something that looks a little more spaceship than tractor-trailer.
Walmart Corporate announced the project Feb. 17 during a meeting to report on progress with reaching the companys sustainability goals.
Chris Sultemeier, senior vice president and head of corporate transportation services for Wal-Mart, said the company also has agreed to buy 2,000 hydrogen-fueled forklift trucks for use in its U.S. and Canadian distribution centers, the Transport Times reported.
In 2005, Wal-Mart set a goal of doubling the efficiency of its truck fleet by 2015. Sultemeier said the company reached 80% of its goal by purchasing more fuel-efficient trucks and finding ways to ship more goods in less space and using fewer trucks.
The company uploaded a video of the truck on YouTube and described it as the latest in (their) fleet efficiency program.
The Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience, or WAVE, concept truck is (a) one-of-a-kind prototype offers a whole package of firsts. The tractor has very advanced aerodynamics and is powered by a prototype advanced turbine-powered, range-extending series hybrid powertrain.
The trailer is made almost exclusively with carbon fiber, saving around 4,000 pounds which can then be used to carry more freight.
Most people live in a fantasy world when it comes to truck driving.
The reality is that the truck of tomorrow is the one on the highway today. They’re at a balancing point between fuel efficiency and amount of freight that can be hauled. Tip that balance either way and costs go up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iTTgxqZqTaA
Watch the video. (The chimpanzee was in the truck stop getting a roller hotdog during the filming)
I expect the cameras have video on the control panels making the driver aware 360
It looks a lot like the truck from an old 80s series called “The Highwayman”.
But I’m guessing the tractor portion doesn’t convert into a helicopter.
That’s pretty fascinating. Never have really noticed how fighter planes didn’t have wipers. I’m a little surprised that it wasn’t applied to vehicles already.
I use a different method.
http://www.rainx.com/product/glass-and-cleaners/rainx-original-glass-treatment/#.UwSzGvldV8E
And those mirrors are way too small.
Rain X is awesome!! A good coating of that stuff, and you literally don’t need wipers for a good month or two. I remember one year where I literally didn’t run my wipers all Summer, and during the Summer we have heavy afternoon thunder storms almost daily.
Very cool. Looks like something designed by Syd Mead.
looks like a gremlin...the big eared evil toy
How much will they have to raise prices to pay for these hi-tech toys?
I know they tried gas-turbine trucks back in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
This has a turbine hybrid so it doesn’t need to wait for the turbine to ramp up for acceleration. The electric motors provide immediate torque.
K-Mart mentality took over.
Radical mechanical departures seldom give the reliability and longevity of proven designs.
Sure they can reduce weight and improve fuel economy, but I am very very skeptical about this working reliably.
nice reference!!
And ALL toll roads and bridges are set up to use the chip?
They will be..... walmart will see it gets done
“They will be..... walmart will see it gets done”
Maybe. But they are not now.
Will bureaucrats whine about putting the seat in the middle?
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