RAM'S BATTERY-ELECTRIC VEHICLE
The digital delights of George Jetson's new work truck wows the crowd
“This is a truck that trucks beyond your wildest imagination,” says Mike Koval,
Ram brand CEO – Stellantis, at the Work Truck Week, March 8.
All the automakers came out with battery powered trucks this year, but for shear audacity and inventiveness, nothing tops the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV (for battery electric vehicle.)
What makes this truck so exciting is not the power source but the imagination that went into the redesign. Getting rid of the internal combustion engine opens up a lot of cabin space, which all the truck OEMs are doing, but Ram took this freedom to build a truck that would make George Jetson proud. It does everything except fly.
The entire electric propulsion system, batteries included, sits between the frame
rails. That opens up significant amounts of cab space.
Ram calls this its “connected customer experience,” meaning just about any digital technology you use in the field or office is integrated into the functions of the truck. It almost begs the question: Is this a truck with a computer attached or a computer with a truck attached. You might even think of it as a giant, mobile smart phone that can haul cargo, drive at highway speeds and follow you around the jobsite like an obedient dog. For example:
· 3D laser scanners. If you want a quick as-built survey of the day’s work before you leave, simply flip on the 3D scanner mounted on the front of the truck. It will collect data for CAD files as you drive through the site while automatically downloading the scans to the laptop in your cab. Cameras also capture video content from an integrated dashcam via voice command to archive anything in your forward path.
· Exterior projector. Multiple built-in projectors provide an efficient way to visually communicate information such as blueprints, detail drawings and schematics on the jobsite. The projectors also double as a mobile movie theater, allowing the owner to enjoy movie night anytime, anywhere.
· Friendly face recognition. When you are outside the cab, biometric facial scanning grants you access as you approach even with a hat on or your hands full. Once you are paired with the system it will respond to your voice commands in order to execute everyday functions.
· Vehicle personal assistant. An artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered avatar acts as the vehicle's face, responding to various voice commands from users. Additionally, voice control enables the truck to follow commands from the owner while they’re outside the vehicle, such as “close the windows, play music, or take a picture.”
· Shadow mode. Allows the truck to automatically follow the driver while he or she walks ahead. This voice-activated feature can be useful in situations where the driver needs to move multiple short distances and doesn't want to hop back in the truck repeatedly when picking up tools or equipment from a job site. The truck will follow the driver at a safe distance, using sensors and camera technology to navigate around obstacles.
· Autonomous capabilities – In Level 3+ autonomous mode the vehicle retracts the steering wheel to provide additional space for the driver. Interior lights, the augmented reality display, smart seats, and the steering wheel work together to provide situational awareness to the driver.
Large, flexible interior spaces
With the bulk of the engine, driveshaft transmission and differential gone, the interior of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV opens wide. That big, boxy space can be put to all kinds of uses.
Saloon doors open out for easy access.
Known as a “one space environment,” the Ram Revolution Concept offers continuous space front to back that enables different interior configurations with a significantly more leg room, greater cabin length and more cargo volume.
The “Ram Track” rail attachment/floor track system provides flexibility for the seats and console as well as multiple tie downs. Ram Track is also incorporated in the awkwardly named “frunk” (as in front trunk) as well as the bed allowing for flexibility from front to back.
The “frunk” has a cargo channel that runs from the front to the tailgate.
And if you’ve ever wondered how you’re going to fit several big or bulky shapes into the bed of your truck, the Ram Revolution has a mobile application that helps users measure objects to determine if they can fit. To obtain an object’s dimensions, users scan the product’s barcode or use a built-in augmented reality camera measuring tool. The mobile app will then show users how the object can best be positioned in their vehicle, and internal and external cabin projectors display guidelines on the optimal storage location.
The cargo bed floor and sides fold up origami-like into multiple configurations.
Jumbo-size displays
The heads-up display combines augmented reality and advanced camera and sensor technology to provide enhanced driving assistance. See-through vision allows the driver to detect objects outside of their normal view.
A touchscreen display comprised of two screens offers up to 28-inches of screen space. The lower display has three different positions – minimal view, extended view and full screen view – and can be removed and used in different areas of the truck. The upper screen can also slide on the Ram rail attachment system.
And just as you can pair a smart phone to a smart home system, you can use the Ram Revolution’s infotainment screen to adjusting devices such as lights, cameras, and thermostats at the office or the jobsite trailer.
Lest we get too dazzled by the tech, it’s a truck too
How’s it for hauling…you might want to ask?
Unfortunately, there was no performance information put out at the Work Truck Week and no information on the company media website except for the adjustable air suspension with three modes and four-wheel crab steering with up to 15-degrees of articulation. So, we don’t know how the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV performs as a cargo hauler yet.
Some details shared about the charging system at the Consumer Electronics Show in January include a new inductive robot charger, the Ram Charger, which detects the vehicle's presence and its charging needs, and automatically aligns itself under the vehicle. Smart-charge capability will allow charging at home during off-peak time, providing more convenience. The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept can also add up to 100 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes with 800-volt DC fast charging at up to 350 kW.
The charge port features Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging on the top half and DC fast charging on the bottom half of the charger. And the bi-directional charging system can also run your electrical tools and home’s electrical system when the power goes out due to storms and other disasters.
It’s gotta be fun
At Work Truck Week the company cautioned that this is still a concept and that some of these features may change before production starts in 2024. Obviously, the market will determine how much contractors value these systems.
But given the scope and ingenuity of all these tech features, I suspect a lot of truck manufacturers will be playing catch up for a long time. One thing’s for certain: contractors who do buy a Ram 1500 Revolution BEV are going to have a lot of fun showing it off.