DTNA debuts new exterior camera system
Factory production of Daimler Truck North America’s new exterior camera system is now underway. The advanced visibility solution is designed to help operators and drivers navigate complex operating environments, reduce upfit costs, and enhance performance on the jobsite.
Available now on Freightliner and Western Star vocational and medium-duty models, the system expands DTNA’s existing backup camera capability, the truck manufacturer reported. The system adds three new camera views—left side, right side, and forward-facing—giving drivers visibility on all four sides of the vehicle from inside the cab, with a consistent in-cab interface and controls across a variety of applications and body configurations.
“Clear visibility around the vehicle is important for the work our customers do every day,” Aaron Scates, DTNA vice president of vocational and medium‑duty market development, said in a news release. “Offering an exterior camera system that covers all sides of the vehicle improves operator confidence. The breadth of camera options and system integration with our interactive touchscreen display make this one of the most complete visibility solutions available for vocational products today.”
DTNA’s exterior camera system is automatically triggered by key vehicle inputs, including left and right turn signals and reverse gear, with live video displayed on the in-cab touchscreen. A forward-facing camera, mounted in the grille, can be manually activated by the driver when additional visibility is desired. Camera views and activation logic can be customized using DTNA’s custom hardware and electronics configurator (CHEC), a tool used during vehicle build that enables camera views to correspond with specific vehicle functions such as turn signals, reverse gear, or body equipment operation.
Together, the cameras support improved driver awareness around the vehicle, helping drivers operate more confidently in tight or unpredictable spaces.
The system is factory-installed to ensure full system integration and performance, with automatic activation and native touchscreen functionality that cannot be achieved through typical aftermarket installations. For maximum flexibility, customers may also spec a pre‑wire option, which provides wiring only and does not include a camera, allowing for customer‑supplied camera installation.
“The advantage of this comprehensive system is that everything works together seamlessly from day one,” Scates said. “Customers benefit from the performance and quality of a factory-installed system that’s designed specifically for how their trucks are used out in the field.”