Phillips Connect rolled out a series of platform enhancements at the Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting. New additions to its Smart Trailer technology are aimed at expanding how fleets capture and use data from connected trailers.

The updates span multiple trailer systems. These include cargo monitoring, roadside safety, brake performance and liftgate operations. All are designed to move fleets beyond simple GPS trailer tracking toward deeper operational intelligence.

“Track-and-trace GPS units have long been the baseline for trailer visibility, but fleets need more than location to make informed decisions that affect operations, safety, dispatch, compliance and maintenance,” said Mark Wallin, general manager and senior vice president of product at Phillips Connect. “The next generation of connected trailer technology is already here.”

JumpStart Program Opens Door to Smart Trailer Data

Among the biggest announcements was the launch of JumpStart, a program designed to help fleets begin capturing trailer intelligence without replacing their existing GPS tracking provider.

Many fleets already use third-party telematics for location tracking but cannot access deeper data from trailer systems such as brakes, tires or cargo activity.

JumpStart allows fleets to start adding smart trailer capabilities through six entry points:

• Automated trailer identification
• Cargo intelligence
• Brake system monitoring
• Tire health monitoring
• Liftgate performance monitoring
• Temperature monitoring

Fleets can deploy any of these capabilities independently and expand their connected trailer capabilities over time.

According to Phillips Connect, the goal is to remove barriers that often prevent fleets from adopting more advanced trailer intelligence while they remain under contract with existing telematics providers.

CargoVision Adds People Detection

Phillips Connect also introduced People Detection, a new capability within its CargoVision platform.

CargoVision uses sensors and visual intelligence to monitor trailer interiors. The new feature allows fleets to detect when individuals enter or exit the cargo area during loading, unloading or other operations.

The added visibility can help fleets monitor loading activity, identify potential cargo theft risks and better understand how trailers are being used throughout the day.

The system can also provide alerts if unauthorized access occurs inside the trailer.

Trailer Data Reveals Driver Behavior

Another platform update adds Driver Behavior Insights, allowing fleets to analyze how trailers are being operated on the road.

Using onboard trailer sensor data, the system can detect events such as harsh braking, aggressive acceleration and sharp cornering.

This capability is particularly useful when trailers are hauled by third-party tractors. This is a common situation in drop-and-hook operations, leased equipment arrangements or carrier partnerships, Wallin noted.

In those cases, the trailer owner often has no visibility into driver behavior through traditional tractor telematics.

By capturing driving events through trailer sensors, fleets can identify risky operating patterns earlier and better protect cargo, equipment and their brand.

New Trailer System Intelligence Partnerships

Phillips Connect also announced enhancements tied to partnerships with several equipment providers.

Through collaboration with Emergency Safety Solutions (ESS), the company introduced new roadside safety capabilities. When a driver activates hazard lights on a stopped trailer, the system triggers ESS’s H.E.L.P. DeliverSAFE technology.

The system flashes trailer lights in a distinctive high-visibility pattern and sends real-time roadside hazard alerts to nearby motorists through navigation apps and in-dash vehicle systems.

Phillips Connect also expanded data integration with Bendix brake systems, enabling fleets to access diagnostic trouble codes, brake wear data and roll stability information from trailers equipped with Bendix TABS Advanced electronic control units.

In addition, a partnership with Maxon brings deeper liftgate intelligence into the platform for liftgates equipped with Maxon’s Max Link technology, providing data on liftgate usage, battery health and system performance.

Building a Connected Trailer Ecosystem

Phillips Connect says the new capabilities reflect its broader strategy to expand the role of the trailer as a source of operational data.

Historically, telematics investments have focused heavily on tractors, leaving trailers largely limited to basic location tracking.

By integrating data from multiple trailer systems into a single platform, the company aims to give fleets better insight into how trailers are being used, maintained and operated across their networks.