Mack Trucks has made its driver-activated Mack Over The Air (OTA) update feature standard on Mack Anthem, Pinnacle and Granite models, a function which allows customers to implement software updates themselves at a time when most convenient.
The driver download activation feature is factory-equipped on models built beginning Nov. 30, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Operations, in Macungie, Pennsylvania. The driver-activated feature can be retrofitted on Mack Model Year 2019 and newer vehicles through Mack Premium Tech Tool, a Windows-based application designed to test, calibrate and program engine parameters.
David Pardue, Mack’s vice president of connected vehicle and contract services, said with this driver-activated feature, fleets can conduct onboard updates via the truck’s instrument cluster, with greater flexibility and efficiency.
“Each customer identifies who is able to activate the update, whether it’s the driver who receives notification that an update is available through the instrument cluster, or a designated technician who activates the update via a unique password,” he said.
The OTA updates allows fleets to set an extensive list of vehicle parameters, such as maximum road speed, multiple idle shutdown parameters and kits, as well as parameters that control the Mack mDRIVE automated manual transmission. The system also enables Mack-initiated software updates used to continuously enhance product performance to be downloaded and installed at the customer’s convenience.
Mack conducted thousands of internal tests before launching a successful four-month, two-phase pilot program with 15 fleets. During that time, more than 500 driver-activated updates were successfully conducted on each truck, resulting in zero issues.
This service is free for the first two years of ownership and can be extended by subscription after that time period.
