The all-new Mack Granite features significant updated telematics and cameras

Built to handle the toughest jobs at the highest level, the all-new Mack® Granite® has long been the vocational truck of choice. Building on that heritage, the new Granite upholds the standard, helping drivers achieve peak productivity and efficiency. This in in part achieved thanks to new technological innovations that are significant improvements.

Communication lies at the heart of this year’s latest technological enhancements. This includes how the Granite communicates with the driver, how potential hazards are reported, and the strides made in paving the way for the Granite to communicate with add-on components.

More cameras, where you want them

One addition to the new Granite is an advanced and harmonized multi-point camera system.

“Integrated camera systems on vehicles have become a hot commodity,” says Brandon Page, Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Product Manager at Mack Trucks. “They give drivers a better perspective to blind spots.”

For the Granite, success comes through two different systems. The Camera Vision System has six optional views that can be displayed on the nine-inch infotainment display.

The Digital Mirror System features mirror replacing cameras that utilize a 12 inch pillar mounted display on the driver’s side of the cab in conjunction with 15 inch passenger pillar mounted display. These two systems provide critical views to the driver to ensure safety excellence.

“They serve a great purpose in severe weather and at night with their night vision feature,” says Page.

The Granite’s camera vision system provides multiple vantage points taken around the truck and communicates the information back to the driver. Mack realized, however, that only the driver knows how best to position the cameras to suit their needs. The company embraced this by offering custom placements for the camera system. Additional cameras can be purchased from a Mack dealer and then connected to the expansion hub installed during manufacturing. Through plug and play ease, those additional cameras can be added to the system.

“A backup camera is mounted on the rear of the cab,” says Page. “Then you have an expansion hub you can add in offering up to five more views.”

Updated Displays and Telematics

Messages and camera images appear more impactful as presented on the Granite’s new infotainment display and instrument cluster. This allows the driver to be more attentive to the road ahead.

“We went from a seven-inch to a nine-inch screen in the Granite, and the instrument cluster is now a 12-inch display with customizable screens,” says Page. “The backup camera imaging is transmitted through the instrument cluster, or if equipped, on the infotainment screen.”

When the Granite communicates messages and information to the driver, those large displays make it easier for the driver to identify and comprehend. Critical information such as tire pressure and temperatures, fuel economy, and vehicle settings become easily available.

The Granite continues to maintain the Mack standard of excellence with Mack Integrated Uptime, which includes GuardDog Connect as well as Over the Air Programming. Additionally, The Granite will include five years of complimentary Integrated Uptime, an increase of the standard 24 month package.

Mack Uptime Center monitors vehicles for possible diagnostic trouble codes, Mack OneCall can communicate to the customer and schedule any needed service and repairs promptly, getting them back on the road more quickly. For software updates, the telematics service provides the ability to perform an update remotely. The truck does not need to be removed from service, and as a result, no negative impact is made against productivity and efficiency goals.

Bolstered Electrical Architecture

With each technological upgrade placed into the new Granite, more demands were made on its electrical framework. Eventually, that required the electrical architecture receiving an upgrade of its own.

As a result, the Granite now boasts a 24-volt electrical system that allows more electrical output. This is accomplished by using 12-volt batteries in series to create a 24-volt system.

“This step to a 24-volt system allows for all of the new technology,” says Page. “The safety systems are a big part of this.”

Body Building Made Easy

Most people see a Granite traversing the roadway in its full glory and capability. It is important to remember that each Mack leaving the assembly line does so as a cab and chassis alone. The final buildout is determined by customer need.

As a result, Page points to the need for a “plug and play” ease when setting the Granite up with its final buildout component. It must be ready for a dumping apparatus or concrete mixing unit or whatever other desired end use the customer needs.

Page says the goal of Mack is to make that communication process between components simpler and more universal.

“We introduced new bodybuilder technology on the Granite,” says Page. “There is new technology with how the truck talks to the body, and that allows the process to be easier. We have made the Granite a better tool by improving the communication between the body and the truck.”