Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), in collaboration with Platform Science have launched Virtual Vehicle, an open OEM platform that enables fleets to access telematics, software solutions, real-time vehicle data and third-party applications directly from their vehicles. In addition, the platform provides the tools to manage those applications, connectivity, and the mobile devices drivers need to use them. With the platform’s introduction, DTNA says it offers software-enabled and ROI-enhancing applications.

The platform gives fleets the ultimate flexibility to choose third-party apps, mix or match telematics service provider (TSP) applications, or bring their own. This allows truck buyers to customize their experiences down to an app-by-app and driver-by-driver level, and to create in-cab technology experiences that best suit their specific business objectives, then evolve them whenever they choose to do so.

Through its developer toolkit, Virtual Vehicle unleashes the potential for any number of third-party developers to create apps that can offer ROI for fleets and quality of life improvements for drivers, the companies say. Virtual Vehicle provides the tools needed to manage the mobile devices that come and go from the vehicle, all without ever having to install or change on-vehicle mobile gateways or telematics units.

The companies say the Virtual Vehicle platform offers benefits that include productivity, flexibility, accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Platform Science’s Virtual Vehicle is currently available on Freightliner Cascadias manufactured Sept. 9, 2019 or later and will be available as a monthly subscription.