OEMs Move to Proprietary Safety Systems

The commercial vehicle industry is witnessing a significant trend where Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are developing and implementing their own branded, proprietary Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). This strategic shift moves away from relying solely on external, third-party collision mitigation platforms. Mack Trucks, a leading OEM, recently exemplified this by unveiling Mack Protect™, its new active safety and collision mitigation system, which is debuting exclusively on the all-new Mack Pioneer Class 8 highway truck (Source: Mack Trucks Unveils Groundbreaking Mack Protect™ Safety System). This transition allows Mack to engineer features specifically for its vehicle architecture, promising enhanced performance and integration.

The Three Tiers of Active Safety

Mack Protect™ is not a one-size-fits-all solution; instead, it is available in three packages, allowing fleet professionals to customize the level of protection based on operational needs and budget. For example, the Mack Protect (Standard) package includes core safety technologies like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, alongside lane departure warnings and frontal airbags. Furthermore, the intermediate Mack Protect Pro tier significantly enhances protection by adding comprehensive side protection, which includes side curtain airbags and blind spot support on both the driver and passenger sides. Finally, the top-tier Mack Protect Premier package incorporates active steering capabilities with lane-keeping assist, demonstrating a commitment to advanced driver support.

New Frontiers in Driver and Pedestrian Protection

This proprietary system introduces several features not previously offered by Mack. Specifically, the introduction of a Driver Awareness Support system featuring a heads-up display capability marks a major step toward reducing driver distraction and fatigue. Additionally, the system incorporates forward and side pedestrian detection with automatic warnings, a crucial element for urban and last-mile fleets operating in congested areas.

This move by Mack to an in-house system is indicative of the industry’s overall direction. As Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems become federally mandated for new commercial vehicles in the coming years, OEMs are striving to exceed these baseline regulatory requirements (Source: AEB Mandate for Trucks). By engineering their own solutions, manufacturers gain greater control over the fusion of sensors, radar, and cameras, delivering a unified safety experience that is deeply integrated into the truck’s operational software.

Also read: How much should you be spending on Telematics, Dashcams, and ELDs