MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Peloton Technology, an automated and connected vehicle technology company focused on improving the safety, efficiency and productivity of transportation, is pleased to announce that Lawrence D. Burns has joined its Board of Directors.
Larry is a longtime visionary, technical expert, and leading advocate of mobility innovation through the reinvention of the automobile and the diversification of transportation energy. He has championed driverless and connected vehicles, vehicle electrification, fuel cells, advanced batteries, biofuels and innovative concept vehicles while holding a variety of industry and academic leadership positions, including as General Motors’ Corporate Vice President of Research & Development and Planning from 1998 to 2009. Burns continues to be a global voice for transformative change in transportation and energy. He advises leading companies, governments and research institutions on transportation, energy, communications systems and advanced technology.
“Larry is a giant in the transportation and technology industries, working at the leading edge of many of the most important mobility innovations of the 21st century,” said Peloton Technology CEO Joshua Switkes. “He is an ideal addition to our Board as we roll out truck platooning and bring other connected and automated vehicle solutions to market.”
Peloton Technology’s Truck Platooning system promises to provide significant safety, fuel efficiency and emissions benefits to the $700 billion U.S. freight trucking industry. Building on proven active safety systems, sensors and advanced vehicle communications, Peloton’s driver-assistive platooning system allows two trucks to save an average of 7.5% in fuel by operating safely in an aerodynamic platoon. Both drivers retain full steering control when in platoon, while acceleration and braking of the following truck are automated to match the lead truck via a secure and encrypted vehicle-to-vehicle wireless link. Peloton’s platooning system will roll out to major U.S. trucking fleets in 2017.
“I am thrilled to be joining Peloton’s Board at such an important time in the company’s growth,” said Burns. “Peloton has a unique approach that combines automation and connectivity. Their platooning system is well positioned to improve safety and deliver significant fuel savings with a minimum level of automation. Peloton can start helping fleets save money as soon as next year. This will give them a great foundation to continue advancing their automation and connectivity products in the future.”
Larry brings to Peloton a wealth of experience aligning transportation technology innovation with core business operations. At General Motors, he was a member of GM’s Automotive Strategy Board and Automotive Product Board, and oversaw advanced technology development, product portfolio planning, capacity planning and strategic planning. From 2010-2015, Larry was Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan, Director of the Program for Sustainable Mobility at Columbia University and Senior Advisor to the Chairman of Hess Corporation. He advises organizations on the future of mobility, logistics, manufacturing, energy and innovation. His past clients include Allstate, VantagePoint Capital Partners, Greentech Capital Advisors and Deloitte Consulting. His current clients include Google Inc., Kitson & Partners and Driversiti.
Peloton’s two-truck platooning system is a Level 1 vehicle automation system according to industry-standard guidelines of the U.S. Department of Transportation and SAE International. Both drivers operating in a platoon remain in full control of steering at all times. Engineered in collaboration with Peloton’s professional driving team, the Peloton system connects each platoon-enabled truck to a cloud-based “Network Operations Center,” which further enhances safety by limiting platooning to appropriate roads and conditions and alerting drivers to upcoming hazards, whether in or out of platoon.
“I have closely followed Peloton’s progress since it was founded in 2013 and am impressed by its ability to combine cutting-edge innovations with proven safety technology to realize value for its fleet customers as soon as possible,” added Burns. “Peloton’s leaders have a clear focus on platooning systems and are adept at developing collaborative relationships with truck manufacturers, component suppliers, and trucking companies and shippers.”
Larry joins former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, Intel Capital’s Mark Lydon, former Trimble Navigation CTO Ralph Eschenbach, and Silicon Valley veteran Ken Arnold on the Peloton Technology Board of Directors. For more on Peloton’s Board and Leadership Team, visit http://peloton-tech.com/who-we-are/.
Peloton Technology is a Silicon Valley-based vehicle automation and connectivity company that is bringing new levels of safety, efficiency and analytics to the $700 billion U.S. trucking industry and other automotive markets. Peloton is backed by eight Fortune Global 500 companies across transportation and technology and other investors including: Volvo Group, DENSO International America, UPS, Nokia Growth Partners, Intel Capital, Magna, Lockheed Martin, Castrol InnoVentures, Lytx, Sand Hill Angels, Birchmere Ventures and Band of Angels. Visit www.peloton-tech.com, follow us on twitter @pelotontech, or email press@peloton-tech.com.
