ATN #418

it has ever produced and it all starts
with an electronic brake system (EBS)
on every model.
Yet, it’s not just the quicker braking
performance of EBS that sets Hino’s new
heavy-duty models apart from the current
crop. As the company states, the 700-series
has moved from the traditional S-cam
design to Hino’s ‘Taper Roller’ brake system,
which it says: “… reduces tare weight,
decreases compressed air requirements,
provides a smoother and more consistent
brake feel, and uses less moving parts,
resulting in reduced maintenance
requirements and lower operating costs.”
Importantly, auxiliary braking is a strong
suit in the new line-up with the inclusion in
all 700-series models of the ever-effective
Jacobs engine brake, coupled in 13-litre
versions with the additional braking strength
of the ZF Intarder, integrated into the rear of
the Traxon transmission.
Even on paper, service and auxiliary
braking in the new Hino heavies appears
a cut above.
However, the overall safety features in
what Hino calls its ‘SmartSafe’ package
are what truly put the new models on a
higher plane.
“The 700-series answers a lot of the
major safety issues that confront the
transport industry and other road users,
with the implementation of advanced driver
assist technologies, Hino SmartSafe and,
more specifically, the introduction of Driver
Monitor,” Petrovski said.
As a Hino statement explained: “The new
Driver Monitor system constantly monitors
the driver’s attention towards the road using
key metrics such as driving posture, face
orientation, and eyelid status via a camera
integrated into the A-pillar.
“The system provides a visual and audible
alert if it detects drowsiness or a lack of
attention from the driver.”
Emphasising the benefits of the Driver
Monitor system, Petrovski commented:
“National Transport Insurance recently
released the 2020 National Truck Accident
Research Centre report, which found that
two of every three truck driver fatalities were
as a result of either fatigue or distraction.
“The report also found the number of
significant accidents caused by distraction
more than doubled in the past two years,
which makes Driver Monitor an important
addition to the Hino SmartSafe package.”
Safety has been a major focus for
Hino over the past decade and more, first
demonstrated by the inclusion in 2011 of a
vehicle stability control (VSC) system on the
light-duty 300-series.
In fact, Hino now describes VSC as the
cornerstone of its SmartSafe system that,
in the upcoming 700-series, will include a
radar-based pre-collision system (PCS)
working in conjunction with autonomous
emergency braking to dramatically minimise
the incidence and impact of collisions
caused by driver distraction or poor
judgement.
Similarly, a pedestrian detection system
is also part of the SmartSafe package,
along with adaptive cruise control, lane
departure warning, reversing camera and a
driver’s airbag.
Meanwhile, LED headlights and daytime
running lights are also standard in Hino’s
new heavies, as well as larger electronically-adjustable,
heated mirrors, a heated
convex spotter mirror and spotters for the
kerb and front of the truck.
Yet, while SmartSafe is a highly
impressive package, not all its features
will be initially available on 8x4 models.
Apparently, the priority is to get the
loadsharing twin-steer into the market.
Citing delays in validating the VSC and
PCS systems on 8x4 models, Petrovski
said: “The addition of SmartSafe to the 8x4
models will occur in mid-2022.
“We have made this decision in order
to fulfil our customers’ requests for low
54 ATN July 2021 FULLYLOADED.COM.AU