TRAILER INTELLIGENCE
The trailer is becoming part of the connected vehicle
ZF's trailer braking and connectivity technology shows trailer data becoming part of a richer connected vehicle and cargo dataset.
Trucks have traditionally received most of the technology industry's attention.
That is changing.
ZF used IAA to demonstrate next generation trailer braking and connectivity technology.
Its new iEBS architecture supports greater integration and automation while preparing trailers for software updates and more advanced connected functions.
High speed truck to trailer connectivity is also becoming increasingly important.
WHY IT MATTERS
A tractor might change trailers several times during a working day. The trailer can contain:
- Cargo.
- Temperature information.
- Door events.
- Tyre information.
- Brake condition.
- Axle load.
- Location.
- Security information.
- Maintenance information.
- Yet trailer data has historically been much less sophisticated than tractor telematics.
- Connecting the two creates a much richer picture.
- The future fleet platform may not simply understand the vehicle.
- It will understand:
- Vehicle + trailer + cargo + driver + route.
- That is a much more powerful dataset.
Sources
This story first appeared in The Fleet Brief Issue 004, published 21 September 2026.