From March 2018, precisely one year after the launch of Mercedes-Benz Uptime, the service is being extended to include detection of work necessary on trailers. “This sees us keeping our promise to add to the system step by step in order to provide our customers with an optimum single-source solution for increasing vehicle availability of the entire combination”, commented Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “We have therefore actively decided to bring the first extension of Mercedes-Benz Uptime directly to market.”
The aim of Mercedes-Benz Uptime is to achieve a significant long-term increase in the availability of the entire tractor/semitrailer combination by transmitting the vehicle data. With Uptime, data from the vehicle can be continuously analysed and maintenance work planned in a foresighted manner.
Integral solution now also detects driving-relevant repair and maintenance scope of hitched-up trailers and thus facilitates an even higher availability of the entire combination
For the first time, problems which affect the trailer’s brake system are displayed to inform clients in the customer portal. At the first stage the following three main systems are checked: the air supply to the brake and air suspension, the brake actuation and the trailer socket. If leakage occurs in the pneumatic brake circuit of the trailer/semitrailer, this is detected and reported by the system.
With immediate effect Mercedes-Benz Uptime will also receive trailer information from the tractor unit via the conventional trailer socket, the pneumatics interfaces and communications interface (CAN-bus) and send it to the customer portal via the Truck Data Centre and the Mercedes-Benz Service server. The basic functionality can be depicted for a very high number of trailer variants. On the basis of the data shown in the customer portal the fleet manager is thus able to initiate repairs. In order to use this extended feature, customers do not have to invest in new hardware – the new services are automatically activated free of charge for Mercedes-Benz Uptime customers.
Mercedes-Benz Uptime prevents dormant vehicles
The digital service Mercedes-Benz Uptime is based on the Truck Data Centre. The networking module sends the entire combination’s data to the
Mercedes-Benz Service server via the truck. Here the data are continuously monitored, interpreted within a matter of seconds and, if necessary, specific action recommendations are issued. This means that the truck is in constant contact with the carrier’s fleet manager, the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centre in Maastricht and the Mercedes-Benz service workshop responsible for the customer. Critical states in the truck and the trailer can thus be detected at an early stage and preventive maintenance or repairs carried out – reducing the likelihood of breakdowns and dormant vehicles.
