Fleets with the new Freightliner Cascadia spec’d with a Detroit engine will soon be able to utilize the full over-the-air functionality of Detroit Connect Remote Updates, including the ability to remotely and securely program select engine parameters and accept Detroit-initiated firmware updates.
Enabled by the newly developed, cellular-based Detroit Connect platform, Remote Updates provides over-the-air programming capabilities to improve uptime by reducing the need to pull into a repair shop to initiate changes.
Available in October, the parameter programming capability gives customers the flexibility to build their own parameter profiles using the Detroit Connect portal, which they can use to update one truck, a set of trucks, or their whole fleet at once. Utilizing the Detroit Connect platform’s cellular connection, fleet managers can change maximum road speed, maximum cruise speed, idle shutdown time, and idle shutdown minimum/maximum ambient air temperature parameters.
With Remote Updates, Detroit engineers can send firmware updates over-the-air to electronic control modules on Detroit-powered new Cascadias. Fleets are notified through the Detroit Connect portal when a firmware update is available, as well as given a detailed overview of the change. Upon fleet approval, the encrypted, truck-specific firmware packages are transmitted directly to the selected vehicle and from there, the driver can accept the final firmware installation once parked in a safe location with the engine off. Initial rollout of firmware over-the-air updates begins in December.
Click here to read our executive interview with DTNA CEO Roger Nielsen on the new Cascadia here.
Detroit says it made data privacy a priority when developing this technology, ensuring that all connectivity platform touchpoints were secured and routinely tested, and using multiple layers of security keys to ensure that Remote Updates data remains encrypted throughout the over-the-air transmission process.
Remote Updates is included with the base Detroit Connect package, which is available standard for five years with the new Cascadia, and will be retroactively available on all Detroit-powered new Cascadias.
