{"id":11224,"date":"2021-05-21T13:46:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T11:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=11224"},"modified":"2021-05-21T13:46:55","modified_gmt":"2021-05-21T11:46:55","slug":"remote-vehicle-management-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/05\/21\/remote-vehicle-management-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Remote vehicle management enters a new phase"},"content":{"rendered":"

Remote diagnostics and over-the-air programming are relatively new technologies but have quickly evolved from introduction to adoption in just a few years.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Computerization is changing commercial vehicles in ways many fleets never thought possible. One of the emerging technologies is remote diagnostics, which allows fleets to analyze vehicle data from anywhere without having to physically touch the truck. In a growing number of instances, a fleet can even remotely fix the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe ultimate benefit of remote diagnostics is that it allows a fleet to take an unplanned vehicle failure and turn it into a planned maintenance event,\u201d says Joe Edmonds, project manager – connected services for Navistar, a holding company whose brands include International trucks. \u201cMany of the issues we see are progressive and don\u2019t start out urgent. If the problem can be addressed before it becomes urgent, it keeps the vehicle on the road and reduces expenses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is where remote programming is now coming into play. As Edmonds explains, many of the potential failures can be avoided by correcting issues with a software update. \u201cOTA (over-the-air) updates will help avoid issues altogether before a problem may occur,\u201d Edmonds says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote diagnostics identify problems<\/span><\/h3>\n

Where remote programming uses two-way communication between a vehicle and remote online interface to fix a problem, remote diagnostics use vehicle data to determine the cause of a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of Volvo, for instance, a truck\u2019s advanced telematics system collects data through a device mounted on the truck and delivers it to a central server at the Volvo Uptime Center.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce delivered, Volvo\u2019s uptime specialists determine maintenance needs and communicates their diagnosis directly to the customer, presenting them with the information needed to maintain efficiency in their operation and avoid downtime,\u201d says Ash Makki, product marketing manager at Volvo Trucks North America, which offers a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks.<\/span><\/p>\n

In some instances, the remote diagnostic process allows data to be shared with the fleet manager, technicians, or external service partners.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA remote diagnostics system, using telematics technology, makes it easier to understand different vehicle fault codes and prioritize repairs by providing alerts,\u201d says Scott Sutarik, vice president of commercial vehicle solutions at Geotab, a provider of GPS fleet tracking devices and fleet management software. \u201cThese can be sent to technicians with different levels of severity, the fault description, and recommendations for action. The technician can then be prepared for what\u2019s wrong with the vehicle and ensure that the right parts are in stock, decreasing vehicle downtime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the built-in data systems on a truck, third parties are also developing telematics devices to monitor various vehicle components. One example is ROI (Road-Optimized Intelligence) technology recently unveiled by Link Mfg., a developer and manufacturer of suspension systems for commercial vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\n

ROI uses sensors in the axle that provide real-time feedback, allowing a vehicle to continuously react to changing conditions. There is also a remote diagnostics component. Sensor data helps provide a picture of overall system integrity, including early warning of component problems such as low pressure in airbags or issues with lift actuators.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have the capability to publish information on the vehicle CAN bus for use by any number of third-party telematics solutions,\u201d says Tye Davis, senior engineer for Link Mfg. \u201cParameters and settings will also be modifiable through a tablet or smartphone with a Bluetooth connection, or through the vehicle diagnostic connector.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Having the ability to work with all makes and models of trucks is a big plus for a fleet. Some third-party telematics systems, such as Cojali\u2019s Jaltest ODF, connect to a truck\u2019s CAN bus to read data. This helps alleviate the challenges fleets face when operating trucks with numerous brands of components and data streams.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe core of our software is the same used on our diagnostic equipment that has 20 years of development under its belt,\u201d says Bruno Gattamorta, vice president of diagnostic sales for Cojali USA, a manufacturer of technology and diagnostic tools for the commercial vehicle industry. \u201cWe follow the full integration model from our diagnostic tools and scan all the systems present. We then provide proprietary fault information and allow fleets to analyze a vehicle as a complete system \u2014 all in real time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adoption of remote diagnostics platforms is still relatively low among fleets, though some momentum has been gained over the last year. Some truck manufacturers and telematics providers expect momentum to continue as fleets turn their attention to remote diagnostics after completing efforts to meet electronic logging device (ELD) requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe a lot of fleets were introduced to remote diagnostics before the technology was ready to meet their needs, which left a bad taste in their mouth by being overloaded with data they couldn\u2019t manage or understand in a lot of cases,\u201d says Dave Covington, chief technology officer for Noregon Systems, a provider of commercial vehicle diagnostic, repair, and data analytic solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

As remote diagnostics has evolved to include more descriptive fault codes and actionable alerts, the benefit for fleets has only become greater.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSimply put, remote diagnostics should facilitate uptime in a glance,\u201d Covington says. \u201cFleets should be able to rely on a single system for all makes and models with built-in features that help avoid breakdowns, such as the ability to force a DPF (diesel particulate filter) regen or view predictive maintenance alerts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote programming fixes problems<\/span><\/h3>\n

Remote programming is the next step beyond remote diagnostics. Remote programming is commonly referred to as over-the-air (OTA) updating. Truck manufacturers began introducing the technology a couple of years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

OTA updates fall into two general categories:<\/span><\/p>\n