In this video, Max Mårtensson, a Sales Engineer at Cascade Drives, introduces the next steps in steering for heavy duty commercial vehicles: TruEPS electromechanical power steering.

A Better Alternative to Hydraulics

Assisted steering has been a central component in everything from small cars up to large trucks and buses for almost a century. Most solutions are based on hydraulics, a technology not so well suited for electric vehicles.

TruEPS electric power steering is a compact, energy efficient on-highway steering system for all large vehicles. Weighing in at 40 kilograms – or 85 pounds – and similar in size to a traditional steering gearbox, TruEPS is capable of 30 kilonewton steering force and scalable for more.

It's also available in different versions.

TruEPS Assist

In the first configuration, it's called TruEPS Assist. It works like a traditional power steering. It simply reinforces the driver's input.

TruEPS ByWire

In the second configuration, named TruEPS ByWire, the system operates in full steer-by-wire mode. In this configuration the mechanical input is replaced by a secondary electric motor for full redundancy, removing the mechanical connection. It allows for a more flexible vehicle design and new ways of operating the vehicle.

TruEPS SelfDrive

The third configuration, TruEPS SelfDrive, is targeted at fully autonomous vehicles. This allows the vehicle to be controlled by an on-board navigation system or by remote control.

Advantages of Electric Power Steering

The advantages of moving to a fully electric steering are obvious.

• First, there is the low power consumption. Going straight forward, the system consumes absolute zero energy. 

• Second, TruEPS can, of course, cooperate with all ADAS in a modern vehicle.

• With no hydraulic oil, you reduce the negative environmental footprint and also the risk of fire.

• The TruEPS system is a single unit design, easy to integrate in your current and future vehicles. It fully replaces all the hoses, pipes and pumps in a conventional hydraulic system with only one unit.

• With a TruEPS system, you have the option to evolve your steering system from a mechanical input to fully autonomous. How's that for flexibility?

Isn't it time for you to drop hydraulics and go electric?