Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix) has announced that its advanced safety technology, Bendix® Fusion™, is now available for select Kenworth Truck Company vehicles. This flagship collision mitigation system features new hardware and capabilities, enhancing the already robust advanced driver assistance technologies.
Key Highlights:
- Enhanced Safety Features: Bendix® Fusion™ now includes the Bendix™ FLR-25™ Radar Sensor, enabling new functionalities like ACB Stop and Auto-Go™.
- Advanced Integration: Available on Kenworth T680 powertrains with automated transmission.
- Driver Assistance: Fusion offers autonomous emergency braking, multi-lane AEB, highway departure warning and braking, and active cruise with braking.
- Additional Functions: Includes Service Brake Hold and is compatible with Bendix® BlindSpotter® and SafetyDirect®.
For decades, Bendix has partnered with Kenworth to deliver safer trucks to North America’s fleets and drivers. Nicole Oreskovic, Bendix vice president, sales and marketing, stated, “We’ve been working with the Kenworth team for decades to provide North America’s fleets and drivers with safer trucks, and it never stops being a point of pride to see Bendix technologies on their top vehicles.”
Since its introduction in 2016, Bendix Fusion has been available on various Kenworth models and became standard on select trucks, including the on-highway flagship T680 model, in 2018. Built on the Bendix® ESP® Electronic Stability Program, Fusion combines input from radar, video, and brakes, creating a detailed assessment for collision mitigation and driver distraction reduction.
Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “Drivers are, and have always been, the inspiration for every Kenworth truck built – and we are happy to partner with Bendix to provide customers purchasing new T680s with a solution that, coupled with safe driving behavior, addresses ease of operation, increased convenience, and improved driver comfort.”
Bendix underscores that while advanced safety technologies enhance vehicle safety, they do not replace the need for skilled, alert drivers. Comprehensive driver training and safe driving practices remain essential for safe vehicle operation.
What’s New in Bendix® Fusion™?
The latest Bendix® Fusion™ system incorporates the Bendix™ FLR-25™ Radar Sensor, adding features such as ACB Stop and Auto-Go™ (with pedestrian cancel) and service brake hold. In the cab, drivers will benefit from new dashboard-integrated messaging for easier understanding.
Like its predecessors, the new Fusion system offers multi-lane AEB, highway departure warning and braking, active cruise with braking (ACB), following distance alerts, lane departure warning, and alerts for speeding.
TJ Thomas, Bendix director of marketing and customer solutions – Controls, explained, “The way ACB Stop and Auto-Go works is that if a detected forward vehicle slows to a stop, the system may automatically de-throttle the engine, activate the engine retarder, and apply the service brakes to bring your truck to a full stop.”
Commitment to Road Safety
Since its launch in 2015, Bendix® Fusion™ has significantly impacted fleets and drivers, reducing rear-end collisions and their severity. Built on the Bendix® ESP® base, Fusion helps mitigate crashes, including rollovers and loss-of-control incidents, by providing full braking power on the tractor and trailer.
Thomas noted, “We are focused on developing technologies that assist drivers, not replace them. At the end of the day, our team – and our colleagues at Kenworth – want nothing more than to see everyone on the road safely home.”
About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, part of Knorr-Bremse, develops active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake systems for commercial vehicles. Employing over 4,400 people, Bendix is dedicated to enhancing vehicle safety, performance, and operating costs. For more information, visit bendix.com or contact 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725).
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