Security, bandwidth drive over-the-air development

Over-the-air (OTA) updating has evolved rapidly from a limited function to a wide-ranging technology for keeping vehicle software up to date. As OTA moves deeper into the mainstream, commercial-vehicle suppliers are focusing on security and techniques that efficiently allow downloading of a growing number of files.

Truck and off-highway equipment suppliers are racing to extend their offerings. Navistar augmented its Wi-Fi OTA technology with cellular services earlier this year. Volvo Trucks and Mack updated their updating programs last fall. Daimler Trucks recently went global with its OTA offerings. Caterpillar now uses the technology to add features, not just for software patches.