Mack Trucks rolls out Lock & Leave for unattended over-the-air software updates

Mack Trucks is rolling out Lock & Leave, a new feature that lets drivers initiate over-the-air (OTA) software updates and then leave the truck unattended while the update completes. Scheduled for launch in fall 2026 pending final validation, Lock & Leave is designed to maximize fleet uptime by allowing drivers to take breaks, end shifts, or even sleep overnight while the truck handles the update process autonomously. The feature will debut on Mack’s Pioneer, Anthem, Granite, and Keystone models as part of the AutoSend automated software deployment suite.

Lock & Leave works by letting drivers start an eligible OTA update via the Driver Display Activation system. Once initiated, the driver can lock the truck and exit, leaving the vehicle powered just long enough to finish installing the update before shutting down automatically. This eliminates the need for drivers to remain in the cab during updates, streamlining operations and reducing downtime.

The rollout aligns with Mack’s broader push to refresh its heavy-duty truck lineup, with the Pioneer and Keystone models already launched and the Anthem and Granite models revamped as part of an ongoing overhaul expected to wrap up in 2027. Remote OTA updates have become a standard capability in newer models, reflecting the growing sophistication of connected trucks and the industry’s focus on uptime efficiency.

Mack Trucks began offering remote software updates as standard for customers in March 2025 through its Over The Air service, which was introduced in 2017. The AutoSend suite is a key component of this service, enabling automated software deployment. Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America, emphasized the importance of uptime for customers, stating, ‘Mack customers measure success by how much time their trucks spend on the road. Lock & Leave removes another barrier to remote software updates. Drivers can start the update, finish their day, and let the truck take care of the rest.’

This move mirrors similar plans from Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA), which announced in June 2026 that it would enhance OTA updates for unattended VNL and VNR models in 2026, following the introduction of remote updates via its Volvo Connect portal in 2025. Mack’s broader ambition is tied to Volvo Group’s goal of capturing a 25% share of the North American heavy-duty truck market by 2030, with Mack and Volvo Trucks North America holding 8.7% and 9.1% shares of U.S. Class 8 retail sales in 2025, respectively.