Get FinancingVolvo Shows Off Connectivity Innovations & Automatic 911 Calling For VNL Trucks
Volvo Trucks North America unveiled its latest VNL over-the-road truck at the American Trucking Association's Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) show last week in New Orleans. The new VNL has more extensive connectivity features such as Volvo’s innovative E-Call—which can automatically dial 911 in the event of a crash—and Geotab Electronic Logging Device (ELD) integration into its optional infotainment system.
“The all-new Volvo VNL is the most connected truck ever designed by Volvo Trucks and transforms the way fleets maximize the benefits of their VNL trucks,” says Magnus Gustafson, vice president of connected services, Volvo Trucks North America.
Hands-Free 911 Assistance
Volvo says E-Call is an industry-first emergency feature. It can make an automatic hands-free call to 911 when it detects a rollover or an airbag deployment, assuming there is cellular service at the site of the accident. E-Call also sends the truck’s exact location to emergency responders. An optional call button allows the VNL driver to place a 911 call manually, such as for a medical emergency or an accident the driver witnesses on the road.
The Volvo Uptime Center can also send a fleet manager an email notification of a 911 E-Call with a subscription to the manufacturer’s Uptime Care service.
Volvo Connect
“The all-new Volvo VNL is integrated with Volvo Connect, a comprehensive fleet management portal, [which] provides a 1-stop shop for all of Volvo Trucks digital services including vehicle data insights, diagnostics, remote programming, fuel economy reports, safety reports, map, and location services, that can be accessed all under one platform,” says Gustafson.
Each new Volvo truck comes with two years of Volvo Uptime Care with Volvo Connect. The latest VNL’s new 24-volt electrical system improves the accuracy of its Remote Diagnostics feature while monitoring more areas of the truck.
“Volvo Trucks worked collectively with customers on designing Volvo Connect to benefit every area of their business,” says Chayene De Souza, product marketing manager, Volvo Truck North America. “Pairing Volvo Connect with expanded Remote Programming and Remote Diagnostics that maximize uptime by enabling routine software updates and parameter setting changes to occur while the truck is being loaded or the driver is taking a break, which can decrease unnecessary stops at the dealership and keep trucks running efficiently. This holistic approach to connectivity brings unprecedented benefits to our customers, including 24% fewer unplanned stops, which leads to greater uptime.”
Volvo’s My Truck App
New VNLs and other Volvos also include two years’ access to the My Truck app for smartphones and tablets.
“With the new Volvo My Truck app, drivers can stay in touch with their VNL truck from wherever they are, and Volvo Trucks' Uptime Center remotely monitors the truck 24/7, alerting drivers and dealers to critical issues,” says Gustafson.
The My Truck app lets drivers keep tabs on vital information such as diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and oil levels, any exterior lights that aren’t working, and more. A driver can also schedule times to turn on the truck’s heater or air conditioning before they get into the cab.
The New Volvo VNL
Volvo offers its new version of the VNL with a package approach to trim level, powertrain, safety technologies, and more. The truck is available with five power levels from its D13 engine, along with six cab configurations. Its four interior and exterior trim level packages are called Core, Edge, Edge Black, and Ultimate. The manufacturer showed a new VNL 840 74-inch (1,880-millimeter), mid-roof sleeper model with the Edge trim package at the TMC show.
Source: Volvo