Volvo introduces AI-powered preventive maintenance for trucks

Updated Oct 14, 2024
Volvo Blue Service Contract now with AI
Volvo Trucks North America has announced upgrades to the Blue Service Contract, now with AI-driven adaptive maintenance and connectivity for improved fleet uptime and performance.
Volvo Trucks

Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) is adding proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) models to its dealer-managed preventive maintenance Blue Service Contract for customers with 2023 model year and newer trucks, the company announced Sunday at the American Trucking Association's conference in Nashville.

The AI data-driven adaptive maintenance system replaces static service intervals with customized schedules, and is capable of adjusting service intervals based on critical factors like fuel consumption, idle time and oil samples.

Peter VoorhoevePeter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America.Volvo says customers will benefit from the Blue Service Contract in several ways, specifically service schedule optimization that combines essential services into a single stop. For example, if a Volvo truck has experienced significant amount of tough conditions for an extended period of time, the adaptive maintenance AI model will recommend service to happen earlier than normal, thus reducing the likelihood of vehicle downtime. 

Certified Volvo dealers are able to monitor and manage trucks in almost real-time and proactively schedule service visits leveraging the connectivity provided by the Blue Service Contract. Volvo is also able to monitor vehicles in real-time, 24/7 thanks to integrated connectivity solutions, specifically Volvo Trucks Uptime Center. 

Magnus Gustafson, VTNA vice president of connected services, said many fleets are over-maintaining their trucks, which can be costly. Applying AI to optimize maintenance intervals based on truck specs, operating conditions and actual use, he said, maximizes uptime.

"It's really about maximizing uptime and maximizing planned stops," he said, "and it reduces the most stops possible." 

VTNA, too, has added new Blue Service Contract options; fuel filters, valve adjustments, pickup and delivery, truck washes, DOT inspections, additional chassis lubes, among them. 

Gustafson noted the new offerings have been available globally in 35 markets and they arrive in the U.S. just as the all-new VNL – "Our most connected truck ever," Gustafson said – begins to roll off the assembly line

Jay Traugott has covered the automotive and transportation sector for over a decade and now serves as Senior Editor for Clean Trucking. He holds a drifting license and has driven on some of the world's best race tracks, including the Nurburgring and Spa. He lives near Boulder, Colorado, and spends his free time snowboarding, climbing, and hiking. He can be reached at [email protected].

Jason Cannon has written about trucking and transportation for more than a decade and serves as Chief Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. A Class A CDL holder, Jason is a graduate of the Porsche Sport Driving School, an honorary Duckmaster at The Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee, and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Reach him at [email protected]