Detroit Diesel announced collaborations with AT&T and Microsoft to deliver enhancements to its Detroit Connect suite of connected vehicle services.

AT&T will provide Internet of Things connectivity for the new Detroit Connect Truck Data Center platform and Microsoft will support all Detroit Connect services with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.

“Our collaboration with technology leaders such as AT&T and Microsoft further enhance our ability to provide advanced connected vehicle solutions that will deliver vehicle performance insights and update capabilities to our customers,” said Matt Pfaffenbach, director, connectivity for Daimler Trucks North America. “With the enhancements to Detroit Connect, we’re able to deepen the connection between our customers and their vehicles more than ever before.”

Exclusive to the new Freightliner Cascadia, the platform features communications hardware that will help deliver new capabilities including Detroit Connect Remote Updates, which enable over-the-air engine programming and powertrain firmware updates for customers as well compatibility with third-party telematics applications.

The connectivity platform will be available at the start of production of the new Cascadia in Jan. 2017. This features a five-year standard base package, including Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostic service, access to the Detroit Connect portal and later in 2017, remote updates and third-party application integration.

Detroit has collaborated with Microsoft to establish a new cloud-based back office environment for all Detroit Connect services, including the new features, such as Detroit Connect Remote Updates, enabled by the new Truck Data Center connectivity platform. The Microsoft Azure cloud platform helps process greater amounts of vehicle performance data and delivers it reliably and more securely to customers.

“Today’s massive digital transformation of the automotive industry can open up many new opportunities for Freightliners,” said Sanjay Ravi, managing director, worldwide discrete manufacturing, enterprise and partner group, Microsoft. “The power of increased connectivity and the Microsoft Azure cloud platform will allow Detroit to deliver context-specific insights from vast networks of data and enhance the reliability, richness and convenience of their services for customers.”