Phillips Connect unveiled Monday at ATA's Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego its SolarNet 8000 series, a groundbreaking solar-powered solution that transforms trailers into active members of a connected fleet ecosystem.
By combining real-time location tracking, cargo visibility and tire pressure monitoring (TPMS) into one wireless solution, Phillips Connect states the SolarNet 8000 series delivers the power of three critical trailer technologies in a single, powerful solution.
Fleets that once needed multiple devices can now rely on one source of intelligence to optimize operations, the company adds, reducing costs and improving safety across their entire network.
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“The Phillips Connect SolarNet 8000 series advances our vision for fully connected operations by putting actionable intelligence from every smart trailer into the hands of the people who keep fleets moving,” said Mark Wallin, general manager and senior vice president of product at Phillips Connect. “This level of integration simplifies technology for fleets, but more importantly, it simplifies decision-making, giving teams faster access to the insights that improve maintenance, strategic planning and overall trailer performance.”
Phillips Connect SolarNet 8000 series provides continuous location reporting, so fleets always know where their trailers are and how they’re being used. Its larger solar panels and higher-capacity battery maintain connectivity for months without direct sunlight, eliminating the “dead tracker” problem that has plagued trailer fleets in the past. Dispatchers and operations teams gain accurate trailer status for better asset utilization and faster decision making. The self-powered, wireless design installs quickly with minimal setup, allowing fleets to bring trailers online in minutes rather than hours, the company says.
The SolarNet 8000 series also includes a built-in cargo camera that identifies whether a trailer is loaded or unloaded. This simple, integrated imaging feature helps operations and planning teams confirm trailer availability, improve scheduling accuracy and reduce detention. The company says fleets that need advanced analytics or volumetric data can expand into Phillips Connect’s CargoVision AI- and machine learning-powered solution for next-level cargo monitoring, volumetrics, and more.
With direct support for the Phillips Connect tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), the SolarNet 8000 series alerts maintenance teams and drivers to pressure and temperature changes before they become roadside issues. The data helps extend tire life, reduce fuel use and improve safety for drivers, cargo and equipment, the company adds.
Finally, the SolarNet 8000 series connects seamlessly with Phillips Connect’s suite of smart trailer sensors for brakes, automatic tire inflation systems (ATIS), wheel-end health, door and cargo status and more. By consolidating sensor data through a single, solar-powered system and transmitting it to Connect1, Phillips Connect states fleets gain a complete picture of trailer health and performance without added wiring complexity or additional gateways.
The company says key features include:
- Maintenance teams reduce downtime and extend trailer life by identifying tire issues and performance changes before they cause failures
- Dispatchers gain reliable location and trailer health data from every trailer to improve load assignments and equipment utilization
- Planners see real-time loaded/unloaded status for more accurate scheduling, faster turns, and fewer idle trailers in the yard
- Drivers receive clear, actionable alerts on trailer conditions so they can stay focused on safety, efficiency and delivery performance
- Operations leads and fleet managers get measurable ROI through lower maintenance costs, higher utilization and better trailer performance
The SolarNet 8000 series serves as the wireless, easy-to-install, solar-powered solution that connects every trailer function through the Phillips Connect ecosystem and the Connect1 software platform. Together, Phillips Connect states they give fleets complete visibility and actionable intelligence to make more informed decisions, improve safety and keep every trailer working at its highest potential.
