Phillips Connect Upgrades Smart Trailer Platform with New Safety and Cargo Features

Key Details Phillips Connect announced major enhancements to its Smart Trailer platform at the Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting. The updates expand data capture across cargo monitoring, brake performance, roadside safety, and liftgate operations. Fleets can now access deeper operational intelligence beyond basic GPS tracking. Why It Matters Many fleets rely on third-party telematics for location tracking but lack access to critical trailer system data. The new JumpStart program removes this barrier by allowing fleets to add smart trailer capabilities without replacing existing GPS providers. This flexibility helps operators adopt advanced features incrementally. New Capabilities Phillips Connect launched People Detection within CargoVision, enabling fleets to monitor who enters or exits cargo areas during loading and unloading. Driver Behavior Insights analyzes how trailers perform on the road, detecting harsh braking, aggressive acceleration, and sharp turns. The system can also alert operators to unauthorized cargo access. Bottom Line These enhancements move fleets beyond simple location tracking toward comprehensive trailer intelligence. Operators can now monitor safety, cargo activity, and equipment performance while maintaining flexibility with existing telematics investments. The phased approach lets fleets expand capabilities at their own pace.