International Truck Offers Over-The-Air Programming for 2017 Cummins Engines

May 19, 2016

Ryan Gehm

International's over-the-air (OTA) programming will first be available for limited production release on Cummins 2017 model year engines, beginning in fall 2016. Pictured is the 2017 Cummins X15, which is being offered in two distinct ratings groups—one for customers who need stronger performance, and one that focuses on fuel economy.

Building on the introduction of over-the-air (OTA) programming for its proprietary engines, International Truck is now offering OTA programming for Cummins engines—the first truck OEM to do so.

The service will first be available for limited production release on Cummins 2017 model year engines, beginning in fall 2016. The two companies plan to expand the service to additional model years.

Available through the nine-pin International LINK device, OTA programming enables drivers or fleet managers to utilize a mobile interface to initiate engine programming at the customer's facility over a secure Wi-Fi connection. The service enables easy updating of engine control modules (ECMs) to reflect the latest manufacturer-approved calibrations, without the necessity of visiting a dealer or other service facility.

"This new service for users of Cummins engines builds on our commitment to open-architecture solutions that provide drivers and fleets with improved uptime," said Terry Kline, senior vice president and chief information officer, Navistar, Inc. "Many of our customers have mixed fleets, and thanks to this industry-leading innovation, customers will be able to program Cummins' engines without having to leave their own facilities. This open-architecture approach will provide drivers and fleets with an added measure of ease, convenience, efficiency and productivity."

Kline spoke with Off-Highway Engineering earlier this year about OTA and the company’s overall connectivity strategy (read the full interview at Connectivity a Core Pillar at Navistar). He shared that engines are just the beginning for OTA programming.

“I view the truck almost like an iPhone, in that it’s got all these modules on it—on your iPhone we call them apps,” he said. “On a truck we call them engine control modules, transmissions have software, brake systems, etc. We want to get to where we program and have the ability to reflash all these devices that have software on them remotely, wirelessly.”

International claims it was the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to introduce OTA programming of ECMs. It first offered the service for International trucks powered by its N9, N10 and N13 proprietary engines. The company partners with data and technology companies to ensure that the system is secure, Kline noted.