Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is announcing new collaborations with AT&T and Microsoft Corporation with the goal of enhancing its Detroit Connect suite of connected vehicle services. AT&T will provide cellular service for the new Detroit Connect Truck Data Center, an intelligent piece of hardware that connects the truck to the Internet of Things.

Exclusive to the new Freightliner Cascadia, the box out of Daimler Trucks global modular system provides communications capabilities for the Detroit Connect telematics system. This includes Detroit Connect Remote Updates, which enables over-the-air engine updates and powertrain electronic firmware update capabilities for customers, as well as the ability to integrate third-party telematics applications.

DTNA will also collaborate with Microsoft to establish a new cloud-based back office environment for all Detroit Connect services, including new features, such as Detroit Connect Remote Updates. The Microsoft Azure cloud platform helps process immense amounts of vehicle performance data in a secure way. 

Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the Daimler AG board responsible for Trucks and Buses commented: “With about 400 000 connected vehicles worldwide, Daimler Trucks is by far the industry leader in connectivity. Our collaboration with technology leaders such as AT&T and Microsoft further enhance our ability to provide connectivity solutions to our customers in North America.”

Martin Daum, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America said: “Daimler Trucks North America is an industry leader in innovative solutions and represents more than 40 percent of the long-haul trucking market in the NAFTA region. The Detroit Connect platform is a prime example of how Internet of Things connectivity can help improve efficiency, safety and performance in connected vehicles. Already today, more than 215 000 of our trucks in North America are online. With our new Cascadia this number will increase dramatically.” 

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