A CHANGING WORKPLACE, A VERSATILE CAB SPACE

We know that Australia’s truck drivers spend a lot of time in the cabins of their trucks, and so most have strong opinions about how it should be laid out. The layout of the cab and its instruments are so important that many updates to trucks in recent years have focussed heavily on dashboard technology, as well as the comfort and safety of the seats fitted in the cab. An outdated stereotype of Australian truck driver is that they work in a low-tech environment. The reality is that there have been huge technological advances in modern trucks that make operation safer, easier and more economical.

TECHNOLOGICAL UPDATES

Cybernetic technology is embedded in our lives, from smart phones and social media to the cash registers in shops and the computer in the dashboard of your truck. Aspects of computerisation have been used in motors for many years, perhaps longer than we might think. Electronic fuel injection systems were among some of the first components to be computerised, as far back as the late 1950s. It's easy to overlook these changes in computerisation, especially if they are not immediately obvious or placed in your daily line-of-sight. Smart computerisation can now be integrated into the dashboard of a truck cab with large touchscreens making operations much easier and accessible. Bluetooth and camera displays on the dash augment visibility and connectivity. A great touch screen can improve the efficiency of the driver’s workday, making the whole operation run far smoother.

SAFER THAN EVER

Tech-based safety systems like the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) represent a massive upgrade to truck safety. Recent studies show that supply chain demands directly impact the pressure truck drivers are under, with a direct correlation between these pressures and truck-related accidents. The introduction of ADAS in a truck does not mean the driver relinquishes any control or agency because the systems can be wholly customised. The camera displays in newer trucks allow for more visibility than ever, with fewer blind spots and an improved sense of control and awareness from the driver's seat. What's not to love when it comes to seeing more from the cab?

IN FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

One of the most critical features in updated truck cabs is the ability to bring some entertainment on your daily route. No matter if you are a long-haul driver on the open road, a short-haul driver with many stops in the day or a tradesperson who’s in and out of the cab and on work sites for long hours, the conveniences that comes with technological advances are a game changer. Communicating with family and friends has never been easier thanks to a wide range of hands-free options. Just schedule a time to catch up while you’re on the road and those days in traffic become a chance to reconnect. Whether you are a fan of a good audiobook, want to stay up to date with your favourite podcast or think a team-wide karaoke session is a cracking good time – the cab of your truck has just become the latest hangout spot.

THE ROAD GOES EVER ON AND ON

There is one respect where long-haul drivers have it easier, it’s hard to get lost on the job when you are travelling Australia's major highways. Short haul drivers and tradies, however, have many things to navigate, such as traffic, changing road conditions, road closures and travelling unfamiliar areas. Time is money when it comes to short-haul and trade jobs and supply chain demands ask a lot of Aussie truck drivers. Updated navigation and map applications make a world of difference when it comes to turn-around times and up-to-the-minute information on road and traffic conditions can make or break a well-timed run. The larger display screens inside truck cabins make a massive difference when checking maps. Being able to get from A to B with the least amount of fuss has a huge impact on the workday of someone spending a lot of time in a truck cab. Wasted time on the road affects the ability to fit in more jobs. It drags the day out as well, cutting into much-needed rest time, family time, catch ups with friends and participating in hobbies and sports. Reliable navigation can play a significant role in reducing time wasted because there is nothing worse than spending half the day in stressful traffic only to then have the workday stretch out before you on the job site. While change is constant, it can feel overwhelming for those in the driver's seat to have to adapt to massive changes in technology. The good news is that these updates to the tech in dashboards and cabs are engineered to make the job easier, not harder, and while learning about new features can feel like a chore at first, utilising what these updates have to offer will feel like old hat in no time! It’s 2023 and our world is more computerised than ever. To get an introduction to cybersecurity for your small business check out this blog!