Volvo Trucks Says Remote Programming is Proving to be Next Big Step in Long History of Uptime and Innovation
Volvo Trucks outlined its vision for Remote Programming as the next major innovation to drive vehicle uptime during the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council 2018 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition March 4-7 in Atlanta. First introduced in 2017 for model year 2018 Volvo trucks with Volvo’s factory-installed connectivity hardware, Remote Programming allows Volvo customers to perform over-the-air software and parameter updates anywhere in the U.S. and Canada where a cellular connection is available, and at the discretion of the vehicle’s decision maker.
“Uptime isn’t just a marketing word we toss around lightly. It’s about the people, processes and technology we implement to meet our customer commitments,” said Conal Deedy, Volvo Trucks North America connectivity director. “Remote Programming is already delivering strong uptime improvements. We see great potential for further improving truck availability and the ownership experience as we build on the platform and capabilities we’ve developed over more than two decades.”
Since its 2017 introduction, more than 1,300 vehicles have received software and parameter updates “over-the-air”. Remote programming of software and parameter updates takes about 20 minutes, a significant time savings when compared with the 2.3 day industry average when a truck arrives at a bay, is plugged in, and manually receives updates. In total, Remote Programming has added hundreds of days of uptime and increased performance of the 1,300 trucks.
“Working directly with Volvo fleets and owners of all sizes and applications to implement Remote Programming has proven to us that the service makes a difference to our customers and their operations,” said Deedy. “We’ve received strong acceptance of the technology and update process from both drivers and fleet managers, who have truly embraced remote updates as a faster, more efficient way to help ensure trucks are updated with the latest software to support peak performance.”
In addition to software updates, Remote Programming can deliver parameter changes to the road speed configuration and allow owners to change between operating modes for optimal fuel efficiency, maximum performance, or a balance of fuel efficiency and performance.
The timeline below provides a snapshot of Volvo Trucks’ history of innovation and commitment to uptime in North America.
1997 - Volvo Trucks adopted “vehicle uptime” as part of its global brand platform
1998 - Volvo Action Service debuted in North America, providing 24/7 uptime support
2007 - Volvo Trucks becomes first OEM to offer factory-installed connectivity
2008 - ASIST web-based service management platform was introduced
2012 - Volvo Trucks introduced Remote Diagnostics and delivered first Remote Diagnostics-equipped trucks to Canadian parcel carrier Purolator in fall 2012
2013 - Remote Diagnostics named standard equipment on all Volvo models
2014 - Volvo opens Uptime Center at Greensboro, NC headquarters
2015 - Certified Uptime Center debuts, helping expedite quick repairs, including those identified by Remote Diagnostics
2017 - Remote Programming introduced for 2018 Model Year Volvo trucks
2017 - Remote Diagnostics for legacy vehicles introduced
2018 - More than 100 Volvo dealer locations in the U.S. and Canada have met or exceeded qualifications to become a Certified Uptime Center.
2018 - Volvo launched the ASIST mobile app to give Volvo owners and fleet managers the real-time functionality of Volvo’s ASIST service management platform in a mobile format.
\
Remote Programming marks the next big step in Volvo Trucks’ commitment to providing leading uptime services and vehicle availability for Volvo owners in North America.
Download Press Release Images