Panasonic, Tropos Release Compact Utility Trucks
January 7th, 2020
Panasonic, in collaboration with Tropos Motors, revealed two multi-technology production-ready compact utility commercial vehicles at CES. These right-sized, highly capable fleet truck concepts are powered by Panasonic's proprietary software and cloud services platform OneConnect and represent a more accessible and a more agile fleet approach conceived to keep business flowing in tight or last-mile spaces.
Whether it is delivering just-in-time information to the fleet operator for emergency response needs or keeping the run of small business uninterrupted, Tropos compact utility trucks outfitted with Panasonic domain technology fits in the tightest metro spaces to complete the job.
Connected Right-Sized Emergency Firetruck: the production concept was revealed showing a Tropos Motors' right-sized fire truck outfitted with a rugged Panasonic ToughBook FZ-G1 Tablet to track or receive emergency information. Importantly, all trucks would be equipped OneConnect analytics to provide battery/maintenance health as well as tampering and theft analytics.
Connected Last Mile Refrigeration Cargo: the second production concept on the exhibit floor showing a Tropos Motors' right-sized Hussmann cold chain cargo truck outfitted with small compartment RADBD Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP) insulated coolers. This technology stays 13 times colder than regular polyurethane coolers in the market and is thinner to allow for more product in the cooler. With its highly recyclable and energy savings nature, there is no need for additional technology to refrigerate the entire cargo box. VIP is the perfect solution for metro, small store deliveries. In addition, with compartmentalize cooling, there is no additional energy draw on the electrical / battery system of the truck.
Panasonic's OneConnect: the global platform ensures vehicles are maintained and up-to-date by providing predictive maintenance reminders to the driver, while providing analytics via the platform to the OEM and end consumer. According to Statista, by 2023, there will be over 342 million connected vehicles worldwide. As represented in the concept vehicle, OneConnect analytics can be customized to focus on electric vehicle data to create algorithms that improve battery efficiency to optimize short and long-term state of health of the vehicle and one's total investment. OneConnect analytics and data can be stored or accessed through SkipGen or SPYDR and transferred between the OEM, the vehicle and the end consumer.
Tropos Motors’ vehicles will be on display in the Panasonic booth 12908 in Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2020.
