Launch of Detroit Connect Remote Updates Continues with Over-the-Air Parameter Programming and Firmware Updates for the Freightliner Cascadia

Contact: Jennifer.Edwards@daimler.com

ATLANTA – September 25, 2017 – Fleets with the new Freightliner Cascadia^® spec’d with a Detroit^™ engine will soon utilize the full over-the-air functionality of Detroit Connect Remote Updates, including the ability to remotely and securely program select engine parameters as well as accept Detroit-initiated firmware updates. See the latest features in the Daimler Truck North America booth #1612 here at the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) show.

Enabled by the newly developed, cellular-based Detroit Connect platform, Remote Updates delivers on the promise to provide over-the-air programming capabilities to improve uptime by reducing the need to pull into a repair shop to initiate changes. 

“By delivering over-the-air programming capabilities, we are giving fleets the tools to maximize uptime and optimize vehicle performance, while reducing the need for our customers to pull into the shop and plug in every time they want to change a parameter, upload a firmware update, or download a Detroit Diesel Electronic Control (DDEC^®) report,” said Lauren Attinasi, product strategy manager, connectivity, Daimler Truck North America.

“Remote Updates help keep our customers’ trucks on the road, and with the cellular capabilities delivered by the Detroit Connect platform, we give them the flexibility to update their vehicles’ electronic control modules (ECMs) or engine parameters at a time and location convenient to their operations,” said Attinasi.

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 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.  

Ensuring all connectivity platform touchpoints were secured and routinely tested was key in developing Remote Updates. Multiple layers of security keys ensure that Remote Updates data remains encrypted throughout the over-the-air transmission process.

“Daimler Truck North America and Detroit take data privacy and service architecture very seriously,” said Attinasi. “While improving uptime was top of mind in developing these over-the-air programming features, we wanted to make sure that our customers’ vehicles and their data were as secure as possible before making this available to them.”

Remote Updates is included with the base Detroit Connect package, which is available standard for five years with the Cascadia, and will be retroactively available on all Detroit-powered Cascadias.

About Detroit

Detroit offers a complete line of heavy and medium duty diesel engines, axles, transmissions, safety systems, and connected vehicle services for the commercial transportation industry in both the on-highway and vocational markets. Detroit™ products are sold and serviced through a network of hundreds of locations throughout North America. Detroit™ is a brand of Detroit Diesel Corporation, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America. For more information, go to www.DemandDetroit.com.