Hino rolls out new, smarter multimedia unit

Hino Australia has announced that its new multimedia system, as fitted to its next-generation 500 Series Standard Cab models and demonstrated at that range's recent media launch, will be rolled out across the brand's entire product line-up, spanning light, medium and heavy-duty trucks.

Hino says the new system, with dash-mounted 6.5-inch colour touchscreen interface, offers a level of connectivity, functionality and customisation not previously seen in the truck industry, and can be further enhanced with additional apps as they become available.

The new platform replaces Hino's existing multimedia system, which features a smaller 6.1-inch touchscreen.

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The Android-based system was in fact designed and developed by an Australian company, Directed Technologies, which is establishing itself as a leading light in the automotive connectivity field.

Importantly, the system now found throughout the Hino line-up comes with a reversing camera as standard, while it can be augmented with up to three additional (optional) cameras to provide drivers with even better monitoring of their immediate environment.

For example, at the 500 Series Standard Cab media launch we sampled a truck fitted with side cameras – activating the left or right indicators brings up a clear view down that side of the truck, largely eliminating blind spots. Similarly, the rear camera display is activated by engaging reverse or using the truck's hazard lights.

The system can also be optioned with Hino's truck-specific satellite-navigation, which comes with three years of quarterly 'over-the-air' map updates, and integrates fully with Hino Traq telematics.

The sat-nav can be configured to take into account a truck's configuration and lane use restrictions, while also utilising real-time traffic information.

Further options include a dual-channel digital video recorder (DVR), which can record footage both of the road ahead or inside the cab, and a tyre pressure monitoring system, while an AM/FM DAB+ digital radio, Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth tethering is standard.

Perhaps most impressive of all is the new system's 'curated Hino applications store', which allows for the provision of operator-specific customisation and apps.

During the 500 Series Standard Cab media launch in Canberra (April 4-5), the assembled press had the opportunity to control a drone using an app installed on the truck's multimedia system.

While the function holds all sorts of benefits for things like country fire authorities, who could now potentially send a drone over the next ridge before risking lives and assets, more exciting is the sheer scope of other apps which will invariably be developed in future years to meet all sorts of operator needs.

According to Hino Australia's Manager of Product Strategy, Daniel Petrovski, the new platform provides a window to the future of digital truck connectivity, while also offering significant tangible benefits in the 'here and now'.

"For Hino, the smart multimedia system is a platform for customers to remain connected with their business while on the road through a bespoke collection of apps," he said.

"The world we live in is a connected one, and the smart multimedia system enables that.

"This system is a building block for the future and can be added to or customised by the customer – the potential is endless for customers to develop and use apps that save them time and money, while maximising the safety of their drivers and fleet."

The system has the potential to include apps covering things from parking and petrol station locations, to weather information, entertainment options like audio books or music – the list goes on.

Trucksales sampled the platform's dispatching potential first-hand on the recent media launch, where a beta version of the platform allowed a remote dispatcher to send details of a multi-drop route through Canberra, giving operators a detailed level of control over their fleets.

After 'swiping on' with a digital ID fob, the driver simply receives details of their next job on the multimedia screen, which they then accept and, once the job is done, mark the task as 'complete'. The truck's sat-nav provides directions to complete the jobs via the most efficient route, while the telematics show the operator the truck's precise location, along with a wealth of other data.

"The all-new smart Multimedia platform is complemented by Hino Traq telematics, which provides real-time tracking and vehicle information such as operating time, fuel usage, driver safety and whole-of-life fleet monitoring, which is accessible through the Hino Traq on-line portal," said Mr Petrovski.

The new Multimedia system will be rolled out through the entire Hino range of light, medium and heavy-duty trucks throughout 2019, and showcased on the Hino stand at the upcoming Brisbane Truck Show, to be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre over May 16-19.