In addition to unveiling its 2017 engine lineup, Cummins has introduced a new package of engine connectivity options that give fleets the ability to update their trucks’ engines over the air (OTA) with either an updated calibration from Cummins or specialized tunes for improving fuel economy or application changes.
The U.S.’ predominant heavy-duty diesel engine maker also announced an updated GPS-based predictive cruise control that gives its engines the ability to read road maps up to two miles out via GPS connectivity and optimize acceleration and coasting for the best possible fuel economy.
The updated connectivity package includes the Connected Calibrations system and the similar Connected Tuning, joining the already existing Connected Diagnostics unveiled in March 2015.
The two additions to Cummins’ Connected system will be available for both of Cummins’ new 15-liter engines, the X15 Efficiency Series and the X15 Performance Series. Those engines go into production in the 4th quarter of this year.
Cummins says the Connected Calibrations system allows the company to push out engine control module updates to its engines without the need for the engines to be taken into a shop. The Connected Tuning system, meanwhile, gives fleets the ability to send new engine tunes to their X15 engines to fine tune the engine’s ECM and its performance to its fleet’s application.
Both of Cummins’ new X15 engines come factory-ready for over-the-air updates. The new connectivity options work with fleets’ existing telematics systems, too, and the system works with nearly all major telematics providers in the industry, Cummins says.
Alongside the connectivity enhancements, Cummins introduced a web portal and an updated mobile app, both of which can be used to manage the Connected systems.
