WABCO India Develops Systems, Products Suitable For Indian Market: Esculier

WABCO Inc. is a global leader in commercial vehicle braking, stability, suspension and transmission control systems that improve vehicle safety and operating costs. WABCO India which designs, manufactures and markets conventional braking products, advanced braking systems and other related air-assisted technologies, systems and products for commercial vehicles, has 3 plants, 2 in Chennai and 1 in Jamshedpur. “We are right now gathering data, and understanding what exactly the drivers of trucks and buses in India are exposed to, and how we have to adapt systems employed in developed countries. This would ensure that we do not offer features that are not adaptable. We want to develop functions that will specifically address the Indian environment. We are working with OE partners to process this information, and optimise the interface,” Jacques Esculier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, WABCO Inc., told Anirudh Raheja of Auto Components India. 

- Anirudh Raheja

Q: What role do you see for WABCO in shaping the future Indian CVs?

Esculier: It is the turn of connectivity after electronics, which helps to improve safety and efficiency. It is about connecting the truck to the ground, and beyond braking, Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), and electronically- controlled air suspension. It is about information that optimises the way one liaisons with the truck, and helps the driver to be more careful and efficient. WABCO is globally present in this area, and wants India to benefit from this technology.

We have already taken a lead position in providing ABS. It is electronically driven, and 1 of the first electronic systems to find its way to Indian trucks. It is the first basic feature on the path to safer commercial vehicles. We are rolling out AMT, which makes driving comfortable. It also elevates efficiency, and can save almost 5% fuel. We are introducing technologies and capabilities around advanced driver assistance systems like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). WABCO introduced AEB to the world of CVs, and has been mandated in Europe. The lane departure warning systems WABCO offers, assist the driver to avert accidents caused by drowsiness. In the US, this feature is incredibly popular. It may not be mandated, but has been instrumental in avoiding 85% of the collisions.