Pretty cool Jim,

Wonder if they are planning to use OTA (Over the air) feedback control on braking with large differences in mass and being so close?

Jim

Interesting, but my knee jerk reaction is it won't work well for RV towing. You have to buy a "tow module" with enough capacity to handle a 10,000 lb trailer so may as well just buy a new tow vehicle.

And you're spending double the energy (fuel). Fuel for the lead vehicle and fuel for the tow module.

And just like my opinion on autonomous vehicles, it seems problematic because the automation would have a hard time dealing with moronic moves by people in non-autonomous vehicles. Unless the space between the tow module and lead vehicle is less than about a car length, someone is gonna try to cut in and that wouldn't be good.

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Terry

I'll wait for a tractor beam.

This could be useful with an electrified highway system, but agree with an EV or ICE tug it would be a stretch. Imagine all vehicles operating in coordinated control. This technology could be useful there.

Also would need some coordination on emergency braking to prevent being squashed.

Autonomous vehicles are fantastic but its the other folks that could really mess with one since it will always operate defensively.

Jim

Interesting idea.

But let's state a few things.

The Tow Module is basically a complete second vehicle to own and maintain. You have fuel or charging expenses along with normal maintenance items like oil changes, tires, and such.

Insurance. It's not physically attached to a TV, so the TM now needs it's own insurance that will cover the TT during travel. (Giant Rabbit Hole Here)

Federal Regulations: Basically you now have an unmanned autonomous vehicle on the road. This feels like a sticky situation.

What happens when there is interference??? https://www.dragzine.com/news/video-...ild-airscream/

I could see if the airstream model with something like https://www.safetytowingsystems.com/ for reducing tongue weight was utilized. This at least keeps everything connected physically.

Joseph,

I can address two of those.

Autonomous vehicles are coming where they will be driverless. Think of an Uber without a physical driver. This will be a game changer for the elderly who can no longer drive.

Total Interference is unlikely since current autonomous vehicles coordinate with several systems such as Lidar, Radar, Cameras and GPS to process position, speed and obstacles. Had a vehicle drive me to Cleveland and back to Michigan a few years ago and the most fun was letting it drive me through a Michigan traffic jam on I-96. Stop, start, people panic braking, cutting in front of the CT6 was amazing to watch. It was flawless. I believe this is the most fun I've had in a car. Truly amazing.

But to have something like a Momentum being towed with a Tug and commanded through a minivan a few feet away seems risky. And then there is crash worthiness.

They could combine the Tug with the Trailer and then we could call it a Motorhome.

Jim

Jim the autonomous vehicle is coming, I agree. It's the thought of not having the backup driver that truly scares me.

Added a space to the previous post, there is a company out in Texas that makes a "booster" to support trailers where you normally could not tow. I'd be interested to see how one does with a heaver 5er and tract since it does not add to the rear axle of the truck (or it's very limited).

Adding dolly wheels to carry the tongue weight of the trailer while towing is hardly a new idea .

Rob