Bose Corporation Introduces the Bose Ride™ System for Heavy-Duty Trucking
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--Bose Corporation today announced an entirely new kind of product for the trucking industry -- a product that has nothing to do with sound.
The new Bose Ride™ system replaces a conventional air-ride truck seat with a Bose® suspension base and an integrated, custom-designed seat top. It provides over-the-road truckers with an unprecedented level of protection from road-induced shocks and vibration.
As the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, the trucking industry employs millions of professional drivers to deliver approximately 95% of the nation’s goods. To keep freight moving, over-the-road drivers spend up to 11 hours a day in their trucks, withstanding a ride much worse than a passenger car.
Even with the best conventional air-ride seats, over-the-road drivers experience constant road-induced vibration -- a form of whole-body vibration. Independent scientific research has shown that whole-body vibration can reduce comfort, add to fatigue, and stress the spine and body. These issues can contribute to many of the industry’s challenges, including driver retention, health care costs, and accidents -- factors that impact and disrupt business.
The Bose Ride system was engineered to reduce truck drivers' exposure to the damaging effects of whole-body vibration. Leveraging its prior research into automotive suspension systems, Bose began research on trucking applications in 1994. This initiative led to a technological breakthrough for heavy-duty trucks: The Bose Ride system removes most road disturbances by sensing, analyzing, and counteracting the forces from the road.
This advancement is made possible through several proprietary technologies and components, including:
- A high-power linear electromagnetic actuator, capable of counteracting the forces caused by road disturbances
- A regenerative amplifier, powerful enough to energize the actuator to precisely position a truck driver -- yet so efficient it draws less average power than a 50-watt light bulb
- Sensors and proprietary Bose® control algorithms working together to counteract road disturbances before they reach the driver
- An integrated, custom-designed seat top
The Bose Ride system is compatible with most makes and models of U.S.-manufactured heavy-duty trucks and can be installed by a trained mechanic in under two hours, using the existing seat bolts, air line, and a 12V power line that connects to the truck’s battery.
The Bose Ride system will be available directly from Bose Corporation in March 2010 on a build-to-order basis for volume purchases by truck fleets. Fleet pricing is based on volume and support requirements; additional information is available toll-free at 1-800-721-BOSE (2673) and www.Bose.com/BoseRide.
The Bose Ride system will be sold to individual owner-operators following fleet availability; specific details and timing for individual purchase will be announced at a later date.
About Bose Corporation
Bose Corporation was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar G. Bose, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Today, the company is primarily known for acoustics, however, its research has resulted in products for non-audio fields. Bose inventions have improved the performance of:
- Loudspeakers
- Home entertainment systems
- Automotive music systems designed for the interior acoustics of each car model (first introduced by Bose)
- Noise reducing headsets for pilots and the public (first introduced by Bose)
- Sound in public spaces
- The production of sound for musicians requiring electronic amplification of their instruments
- Materials testing and durability simulation instruments for biomedical applications
- Driver suspension systems for heavy-duty trucks
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