Mack and Volvo both announced Thursday that their customers can now make unlimited parameter updates through each OEM’s respective over-the-air (OTA) remote programming solution.
The truck makers say unlimited updates will help end users improve uptime and simplify their vehicle updating processes.
“Mack wanted to make it easier for customers to implement parameter updates since some need to do so on a frequent basis depending upon their specific applications,” says David Pardue, vice president of connected vehicle and contract services, Mack Trucks. “Unlimited parameter updates help improve the total cost of ownership, fuel efficiency and vehicle productivity, so Mack is pleased to be able to offer this to our customers.”
“With an unlimited number of parameter updates, we allow customers to proactively change settings to continuously optimize their truck for its different transport assignments, instead of waiting until it is absolutely necessary,” adds Conal Deedy, director of connected vehicle services, Volvo Trucks North America.
The companies say this access means customers can now optimize their vehicles’ operations without limitations. And parameter updates can be completed from virtually anywhere.
Volvo says customers can select from an extensive collection of individual and bundled vehicle parameter kits to establish controls, such as maximum road speed, cruise speed, idle shutdown time, Volvo I-Shift transmission shift logic and other settings. From there, they can directly activate over-the-air updates via the instrument cluster in minutes. Administering updates remotely gives the customer complete control to decide when and where to download parameter specs to an individual vehicle, ensuring it is intelligently configured for its actual working environment.
“Volvo Trucks leads the industry in the number of operational parameters that can be adjusted over the air,” adds Deedy. “These updates can enhance fuel efficiency, increase a truck’s productivity, reduce costs and improve driver retention, making a direct, positive impact on the customer’s bottom line.”
It’s the same at Mack, which offers an extensive list of vehicle parameters that can be set through Mack OTA, including maximum road speed, multiple idle shutdown parameter and kits, and parameters that control the Mack mDRIVE automated manual transmission. Mack adds Most driver-activated software updates, which enhance product performance, are completed in less than 13 minutes, while driver-activated parameter updates are usually completed in less than one minute. And multiple vehicles can be updated at one time.
“Mack set the industry standard for remote programming when we launched OTA, and since then, we’ve continued to work toward offering customers a quick, efficient, simple way to implement updates to their vehicles,” Pardue says. “Unlimited parameter updates are a testament to this, saving customers time and money, while also offering them the flexibility and efficiency they need to effectively run their business.”
Volvo adds its Driver Display Activation feature, which is a new enhancement to the Remote Programming service and now standard on all Volvo trucks, also makes the process faster and more flexible by putting parameter and software updates directly into the hands of fleet operators and drivers.
“There is a direct connection between the strategic use of parameters and the ability to streamline costs, optimize efficiencies and monitor a fleet’s environmental footprint,” says Ashley Murickan, product marketing manager, Volvo Trucks North America. “Every update represents value to the customer, and the added convenience of our Driver Display Activation application allows these parameters to be updated with minimal disruption to operations.”
Volvo says unlimited parameter updates can be accessed as part of Volvo Trucks’ Remote Diagnostics bundle of Uptime Services, either during the initial two-year period covered free of charge, any renewal period or any extended coverage period. At Mack, OTA is free for the first two years of ownership and can be extended by subscription after that time period. OTA allows customers to make vehicle parameter settings and software updates remotely through Mack’s fully integrated telematics platform, the Mack GuardDog Connect bundle.