Clarience Technologies Expands Safety and Visibility Portfolio at TMC

Clarience Technologies used its press conference at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting to spotlight a growing portfolio of safety, visibility, and digital solutions. All of these initiatives are anchored by an ambitious push toward fully integrated “smart trailer” systems, the company said.

Executives and product leaders from across Clarience’s family of more than 27 companies detailed new technologies aimed at improving fleet safety, reducing operating costs, and enhancing connectivity between tractors, trailers, and back-office systems.

Building the Smart Trailer Ecosystem

Clarience leadership framed the company’s strategy around a systems-level approach to trailer intelligence. It’s an approach that connects multiple components and data streams into a unified platform.

“The movement toward smart trailers is about advanced connectivity communicating across the entire infrastructure,” said Paul Slinkard, chief technology officer.

Rather than standalone components, Clarience is focusing on integrating tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), lighting, vision systems, and telematics into a single architecture. That system is designed to deliver real-time insights from the front of the tractor to the rear of the trailer.

The company previously demonstrated an early version of this concept and signaled that a more advanced iteration is coming.

“In 2026, we will be showing something much bigger,” Slinkard said.

Fuel Filtration Upgrade Targets Cold Weather Performance

Davco Technology introduced its next-generation Fuel Pro 498 fuel-water separator, designed to improve performance in demanding conditions while reducing maintenance costs.

The system combines coolant-based heating with advanced filtration media to support diesel engines with flow rates up to 180 gallons per hour. It also offers multiple preheating options. These include 12-volt, 24-volt, and 120-volt electric configurations to enhance cold-weather startability.

A key differentiator remains Davco’s transparent housing, which allows drivers and technicians to visually diagnose issues such as air intrusion or contamination.

The company also emphasized its “elements full” design, enabling real-time visual monitoring of filter life. This helps fleets reduce unnecessary maintenance and downtime, the company said.

Addressing a Blind Spot: Trailer Backup Safety

Truck-Lite highlighted a persistent safety gap in trailer operations: the lack of integrated reverse lighting.

While tractors are required to have reverse lights, trailers typically are not. This leaves truck drivers with limited visibility when backing.

Truck-Lite’s upcoming Trailer Backup Safety System addresses that issue with a sensor-driven approach. The system detects axle rotation to determine the direction of travel and automatically activates rear lighting and optional alarms.

The solution is designed for OEM integration and avoids the need for major wiring changes, making it easier for fleets to adopt.

Company officials said the system can improve driver awareness, reduce backing accidents, and deliver measurable return on investment through lower repair costs.

The technology is expected to be available for specification in 2027 model-year builds.

Cameras and AI Bring Passenger-Car Tech to Trucks

Clarience said its new Rear View Safety initiatives are focused on bridging the technology gap between consumer vehicles and commercial trucks — particularly for newer truck drivers.

“One of the big challenges is that younger drivers are used to backup cameras and sensors in their personal vehicles, but don’t have them in a 53-foot trailer,” the company noted.

Its AirVue system automatically pairs trailer-mounted cameras with in-cab monitors via the standard seven-way connector, eliminating manual setup. The system then switches to wireless communication and can support up to six cameras.

Features include 1080p video, integrated backup sensors, and onboard recording for litigation and driver coaching.

The platform also incorporates artificial intelligence for pedestrian detection, vehicle detection, and even obstacle recognition — such as poles and barriers commonly struck during low-speed maneuvers.

Rear View Safety is also extending AI capabilities into warehouse environments and last-mile delivery, including systems designed to prevent falls from trailer decks.

Tracking Non-Powered Assets

Clarience also addressed a longstanding challenge in fleet management: tracking non-powered assets like chassis, dollies, and containers.

Road Ready’s new “Tracker Light” device offers a battery-powered solution requiring no wiring. Designed for multi-year operation, the unit provides daily GPS updates and integrates with the company’s telematics platform.

The device targets fleets that need visibility into idle or hard-to-track assets without the cost or complexity of full telematics systems.

Tire Management Meets Aerodynamics

Pressure Systems International (PSI), in partnership with FlowBelow, introduced a combined aerodynamic wheel cover and tire management solution.

The Easy Air access system allows technicians and drivers to check and adjust tire pressure without removing wheel covers. The move addresses a common maintenance barrier, the company noted.

Integrated sensors provide real-time tire data, while the aerodynamic design can improve fuel efficiency by up to 1.7%, according to the company.

PSI also showcased a QR-based “pre-check” system that allows users to scan a code on the asset and instantly view tire status with no login required.

Across the presentations, a consistent theme emerged: fleets are moving away from isolated components toward integrated, data-driven systems.

Clarience said its approach — combining lighting, telematics, sensors, and AI into a unified smart trailer platform — reflects that shift.