Vermont Patent of the Month – February 2025
A new innovation from GPMS could transform how ground vehicles are maintained, bringing aviation-style health monitoring down to the roads. The system, developed to continuously assess the condition of key vehicle components, uses a network of strategically placed accelerometers and tachometers feeding data to an onboard control unit (OBCU). The technology allows vehicles to essentially monitor their own health in real time, flagging potential issues before they lead to costly failures or mission-critical downtime.
The system monitors components ranging from the transmission and differentials to wheel hubs and the engine. By analyzing vibration signals and rotational speeds, the OBCU determines when a vehicle is operating in a regime suitable for collecting diagnostic data. When conditions are right, it triggers detailed analysis scripts for specific parts, calculates condition indicators, and flags any deviations from normal performance.
While similar monitoring systems have long been standard in aircraft and industrial energy systems, ground vehicles—particularly those with high asset value or performing critical tasks—have historically lacked this level of oversight. GPMS’s approach fills that gap, offering a proactive way to reduce unscheduled maintenance, increase reliability, and enhance operational readiness.
This kind of continuous, data-driven monitoring could be especially impactful for defense, emergency response, and fleet operations, where performance and uptime are non-negotiable. With this technology, vehicles won’t just run—they’ll report, assess, and help maintain themselves.
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