CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—Commercial truck cabs increasingly feel like modern cars, with more comfort, smoother handling, and built-in driver technology. Paccar is reducing technology clutter by factory-integrating modern infotainment displays similar to those standard in consumer vehicles but designed for truckers.

Paccar will make the Paccar Connect platform standard on most Class 8 equipment models across Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks beginning in early 2027. Designed as a unified digital bridge between the driver and back-office management, Paccar Connect pairs factory-warrantied hardware—featuring high-definition in-cab displays—with Platform Science’s Virtual Vehicle open-application ecosystem and a dedicated suite of native vehicle tools.

“By creating a future-ready technology foundation, it enables us to continuously expand capabilities, integrate new technologies, and enhance the driver experience,” John Rich, Paccar chief technology officer, said.

Peterbilt: 13-inch portrait display

Previewed earlier this month in Sonoma, California, Peterbilt’s version features a 13-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen anchored in the center dash stack.

Recognizing that truck drivers often need tactile touchpoints while rolling over uneven road surfaces, Peterbilt engineers integrated a physical “knob-on-glass” directly into the lower display. The multifunction dial uses notchy, mechanical detents to control cab temperature, fan speed, and audio volume without taking eyes off the road. Below the dynamic app window, permanent HVAC and media controls stay on screen so drivers don’t have to dig through submenus to adjust the defroster or AC.

Peterbilt also rolled out an integrated voice assistant activated by steering wheel controls or by speaking “Hey Peterbilt.” The assistant recognized more than 250 native voice prompts in English, French, and Spanish, translating conversational phrases like “I’m cold” into automatic HVAC adjustments. 

Kenworth: 15-inch landscape display

At Kenworth, the brand previewed a 15-inch landscape display during a vocational drive program this summer. It is also integrated into the center dash stack.

Kenworth’s human-machine interface (HMI) team kept dedicated, tactile rotary dials immediately beneath the screen for fan speed, temperature, and volume to accommodate vocational operators wearing heavy work gloves. 

The screen is split into two functional zones: a fixed left-hand frame with essential truck and climate controls that never change, and a dynamic right-hand plane for active workflows, navigation, and fleet apps. Ergonomically, the housing extends slightly from the dash with a bottom bezel lip, giving drivers a sturdy resting spot for their hand or thumb to steady input while operating. 

Native core apps: Turning fault codes into actionable data

Both OEMs ship Paccar Connect with four pre-loaded, subscription-free native applications.

1. Vehicle health: Bypasses basic fault lights to deliver clear diagnostic language directly to the screen. Instead of leaving a driver stranded with a vague check-engine light, the app breaks down the fault code, outlines potential root causes, grades severity, and clearly tags whether the driver can inspect the issue (such as topping off low coolant) or needs a certified technician. Fleet managers see the same diagnostic context in the Paccar Connect back-office portal. 
2. Digital operator’s manuals: The display provides a fully indexed, keyword-searchable repository of the truck’s full manual.
3. Driver tutorials: On-demand video walkarounds and how-to modules covering cab functions and pairing steps. View videos directly on the center console or access them via an on-screen QR code on a smartphone.
4. Dealer locator: GPS-driven routing to certified Kenworth or Peterbilt service locations, displaying operating hours, real-time distance, phone contacts, and one-touch calling. 

Platform Science ecosystem and camera integration

Beyond native features, Paccar Connect functions as a hardware gateway to Platform Science’s Virtual Vehicle platform. Fleet managers can configure, push, and manage approved enterprise applications—ranging from electronic logging devices (ELDs) and driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) to fleet-specific dispatch systems—directly through the Paccar Connect portal. 

• Camera flexibility: The platform supports up to eight camera inputs (four digital high-definition inputs and four analog feeds). Fleet managers and drivers can configure multi-camera views (split-screen, triple, or quad displays) and set functional triggers, such as auto-launching side-mirror blind spot views upon signaling or displaying a fifth-wheel/trailer hitch feed when shifting into reverse. 
• Phone pairing and projection: Apple CarPlay comes fully integrated. Android devices currently connect via Bluetooth for calls and media streaming (native Android Auto phone projection is not currently supported). Still, dual-phone Bluetooth pairing lets team drivers separate calling and media playback seamlessly. Fleets also retain the back-office ability to lock out phone projection or restrict specific interactive features when the truck is in motion.