Scania introduces new app for drivers

The Australian version of the Scania Driver App is now available to download from Apple or Android app stores.

“We have worked with the Scania electronic business experience teams in Sweden to present an Australianised version of the new Scania Driver App that is relevant for local conditions, local Scania products and services,” said Hamed Shoghi, who is leading the digitalisation function of the Scania Business Transformation Department at Scania Australia head office in Melbourne.

The Scania Driver App offers an intuitive design: one-vehicle view and easy navigation, straightforward access to vehicle data (refreshed every 10 minutes), a unique Check Before Drive function integrated with defect reporting, driver evaluation driving tips, a guide to find the closest Scania workshop or dealer, one-touch Scania Assistance call button, and a request service booking feature.

“Scania has been at the forefront of connected vehicle data capture, monitoring and analysis for the past 15 years,” Hamed said.

“With more than 600,000 connected Scania vehicles already in service globally, we have a very well-established fleet management portal (My Scania) that allows fleet managers and business owners to see at a glance – or in depth – how their vehicles and drivers are performing, where they are located, and the timeframe for future service or repairs.

“However, the Scania Driver App provides a more personalised store of information for the driver, limited to the vehicle they are driving, which we believe will be of greater interest and value to the driver, aiding efficiency and safety as well as keeping them up-to-date,” Hamed said.

“The Scania Driver App can be downloaded for free from an app store and can be easily linked to the driver’s vehicle and trailer (if relevant). The app gives the driver the ability to review their performance and a raft of vehicle information sources, from the comfort of their mobile phone wherever they are.

“While there is plenty of operational information available from the in-dash display screens, the Scania Driver App gives drivers a wider view which can be remotely accessed from home or a truck stop or motel,” Hamed says.

All Scania trucks sold in Australia over the past 8-9 years have been equipped with the Scania Communicator data collection system that continuously gathers and feeds information to the My Scania portal.

Unlike the in-dash Scania Driver Support system that provides feedback and star ratings on four elements of driver performance, the Scania Driver App will collect and hold these results allowing drivers to review their performance over a longer period than a single journey.

“We know drivers like to take a snapshot of a good result on the Driver Support screen and share it with their mates or managers, but now with the Driver App they will be able to see a more representative review of their driving performance over a longer period,” Hamed says.

The Scania Driver App is also ready for a zero-emission transportation future, able to provide valuable data to drivers of Scania’s battery-electric vehicles. These include battery state of charge levels; distance to energy empty; indicators of charge being added to the battery; and departure scheduling – whereby the charging profile is adjusted to the gentlest level to prolong battery life. There’s also remote cab climate control, range prediction and driving advice.

“The new Scania Driver App will provide many driver-friendly benefits but will also give operators and fleets greater peace-of-mind that their trucks are compliant with local operating rules as well as chain of responsibility legislation,” Hamed said.

“While the Scania Driver App has plenty of features, we can already see scope to add further elements to make a driver’s life a bit easier or provide them with see-at-a-glance information that will save them time and keep them safe on the road. We are confident that the Scania Driver App will quickly amass a big following among Australia’s Scania driver group,” he concluded.