Airtec Named Finalist in HVIA Product Innovation Awards for SmartOBM AXS System
Airtec is proud to announce that our SmartOBM – AXS system has been named a finalist in the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) Product Innovation Awards, recognising the innovation, design, and impact of our latest SmartOBM solution on the road freight sector.
A Locally Designed Solution for Australian Conditions
The development of the AXS SmartOBM Series was driven by a clear vision from Airtec’s leadership: to create a system specifically tailored for the unique and often harsh Australian environment. While Airtec already offered a SmartOBM product manufactured overseas, our CEO, David Hewett, identified an opportunity to enhance performance, durability, and reliability by designing a locally made system. The aim was to deliver a product capable of withstanding Australia’s challenging roads and variable conditions while providing smarter functionality for fleet operators.
To bring this vision to life, Head Engineer David Morton led the design and production of the AXS Series. David’s technical expertise and hands-on involvement were critical in ensuring that the system not only met functional requirements but also delivered exceptional environmental resilience.
David Morton
Head of Engineering
David Hewett
CEO
Star Product: SmartOBM AXS Series
The AXS SmartOBM Series is designed to be smarter, tougher, and more cost-effective than previous generations:
- Smarter: With Bluetooth Mesh connectivity, weight data is transmitted faster and more reliably, allowing operators to act immediately before overloads occur. This reduces tip-offs, reloads, and delays—saving both time and money.
- Tougher: Purpose-built for Australian roads and conditions, the AXS Series is engineered to withstand the rigours of daily operations across the country.
- More Cost-Effective: Lower unit costs make SmartOBM adoption more accessible. Operators can take advantage of Performance-Based Standards (PBS) and higher mass limits, boosting productivity and profitability across their fleets.
For Airtec, the locally designed and manufactured AXS Series has also created new employment opportunities and strengthened relationships with Australian suppliers. Our team has expanded to support design, production, and rollout, delivering real economic value back into the local industry while ensuring responsive, in-country support for customers.
Scalable and Transferable Innovation
The AXS Series has already been widely adopted by our customer base, demonstrating strong market acceptance. To facilitate a smooth transition from previous SmartOBM models, Airtec has introduced Bluetooth Mesh Upgrade Kits for earlier units. This allows customers to upgrade progressively without replacing entire systems, providing a cost-effective and accessible pathway to modern fleet management technology.
Driving Productivity in Road Freight Transport
The SmartOBM AXS system is designed to deliver tangible productivity improvements for the road freight sector:
Time Savings for Drivers
Real-time axle group weight readings in the cab eliminate trips to weighbridges and prevent tip-offs or reloads.
Reduced Operational Costs
Faster loading accuracy reduces job time, lowers wage costs, and improves fleet utilisation.
Maximised Payloads
Operators can confidently load to the optimal legal limit every time, improving freight efficiency.
Access to Increased Mass Limits
SmartOBM enables operators to apply for PBS and Higher Mass Limits (HML), allowing vehicles to carry more freight legally & profitably per trip.
A System Designed with Customers in Mind
The AXS SmartOBM Series demonstrates Airtec’s commitment to innovation, reliability, and user-centric design. By combining advanced technology with practical features for Australian operators, the system ensures fleets are safer, more efficient, and compliant, while also supporting growth and profitability.
Being named a finalist in the HVIA Product Innovation Awards is a recognition of the hard work, vision, and technical expertise that went into developing the AXS SmartOBM Series—and it reflects our ongoing dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions for the road freight industry.
We also owe a great deal of thanks to our early adopters—customers who supported us throughout the testing phase
by trialling prototypes in real-world conditions. Their feedback played a crucial role in shaping the final product and
ensuring it was not only robust and accurate but also user-friendly.