Stoughton's connected Smart Chassis targets autonomous readiness
Key Highlights
- Auto Connect system automatically couples air, electrical, and communication lines in just seven seconds, reducing downtime and driver effort.
- Partnerships with companies like Pressure Systems International, Road Ready, Rear View Safety, and Truck-Lite integrate safety, visibility, and connectivity features into the chassis.
- The platform supports future technologies such as Level 5 autonomy, onboard Ethernet, and advanced braking systems, ensuring scalability and industry relevance.
- Collaborative efforts aim to improve industry-wide communication, safety, and operational efficiency, setting new standards for connected, automated trailer systems.
Stoughton Trailers has launched of its next-generation Smart Chassis, combining cutting-edge automation and connected technologies designed to improve fleet efficiency, enhance safety and prepare carriers for the road to autonomous operation.
At the core of this breakthrough is Electrans Technologies’ Auto Connect system, exclusively compatible with Stoughton intermodal chassis. Auto Connect automatically couples truck and chassis air, 7-way electrical and communication lines in just seven seconds—without drivers ever leaving the cab. With a simple push of a button, pneumatic airlines, electrical lines and CAN bus or other communication wiring are fully connected and operational, powering advanced sensors and cameras.
“Imagine a driver simply backing up, pushing a button within the cab and seven seconds later driving away with the trailer,” said Andy Aleson, Engineering Manager of Advanced Trailer Development at Stoughton Trailers. “This is not the distant future. It’s here NOW. We wanted to ensure our intermodal fleet customers are ready to adopt this technology as the industry moves to gain efficiency, improve safety and pursue autonomous operation.”
To support this advancement, Stoughton has engineered a patent-pending Auto Connect coupler into its chassis. A protected slot in the front bolster securely houses the Auto Connect receiver, complete with airline fittings and an electrical harness for streamlined installation. The system can be fitted in under an hour and is fully backwards compatible, ensuring fleets can continue to use legacy coupling systems while transitioning to automated connections.
“After evaluating coupling technologies on the market and in development, the Electrans solution stands out as a comprehensive, future-proof system for next-generation fleets," added Aleson. "As we advance toward Level 5 autonomy, Electrans delivers seamless connectivity for air, lighting, and data, enabling safe yard automation and scalability for future innovations.”
Smarter, safer, more connected
The Smart Chassis launch is powered by a strong collaboration with Clarience Technologies, leveraging the expertise of several of its industry-leading companies, including Pressure Systems International, Road Ready, Rear View Safety and Truck- Lite. Together, these innovations create a seamlessly integrated chassis platform that advances safety, visibility and operational control.
“Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens through strong partnerships and shared expertise which allows us to accelerate the pace of innovation in the transportation industry,” said Paul Sniegocki, executive vice president, engineering, and chief technology officer at Clarience Technologies. “Our unique ability to integrate best-in-class technologies across our team of companies, alongside trusted OE, fleet and industry partners, allows us to develop future-ready solutions. The smart chassis project is an excellent example of how collaboration and innovation improve safety and visibility with solutions for industry and customer problems.”
The overall objective, from the Clarience perspective, was to improve tractor/trailer communication across the industry and prepare trailers and chassis for future technologies including next-generation braking systems, onboard Ethernet, and autonomous systems.
Components include:
• Road Ready: Modular MCU, Automatic Tire Inflation Warning, ABS Warning Sensor, CAN-enabled SBI, and confidential intermodal container presence sensor deliver real-time operational visibility.
• Rear View Safety (RVS): Wired Ethernet and Air Vue wireless camera systems enhance driver awareness and fleet safety with 360º coverage.
• Pressure Systems International (P.S.I.): Industry-leading Automatic Tire Inflation System with electronic control box, Digital ThermALERT, TireView LIVE monitoring and CAN-enabled receivers ensure optimal tire health and uptime.
• Truck-Lite: Advanced LED signal and marker lighting, CAN+Ethernet overlay harness, light-out detection and conventional harness solutions enhance reliability, safety,and connectivity.
Stoughton Trailers noted that the company also appreciates the partnership of TICO, ISEE, Phillips Industries and Bendix in advancing its Smart Chassis initiative. Each partner brings specialized expertise and innovation that enhances the intelligence, connectivity and performance of the Smart Chassis.
Their collaboration is meant to help Stoughton deliver a more integrated, data-driven solution that improves safety, efficiency and uptime for fleets.
See the October print editon of TBB for additional coverage.