Manufacturer-Specific Truck Apps Are Coming to RoadBoard
RoadBoard is about to become even more closely connected to the truck you're currently driving.
We are working on manufacturer-specific truck apps that will automatically be selected based on your current vehicle. RoadBoard will detect which truck you're driving in Euro Truck Simulator 2 and load the corresponding app by default.
That means you won't have to manually switch between manufacturers or different interface designs whenever you change trucks.
Automatic truck detection
When RoadBoard detects that you're driving a Scania, for example, the Scania app will automatically be used.
Switch to a Mercedes-Benz later and RoadBoard will automatically load the Mercedes-Benz app instead.
Apps are currently planned for the following manufacturers:
- Scania
- Mercedes-Benz
- MAN
- DAF
- Volvo
These won't simply be identical dashboards with different logos.
Each manufacturer will receive its own user interface, layout and visual identity designed to match the character of the respective truck brand.
Different trucks, different interfaces
Our existing MAN and Scania concepts already give an idea of where we want to take this feature.
The Scania interface, for example, uses a dark driver-focused design with red accents and a prominent vehicle overview. Information is presented in a way that resembles a modern digital truck dashboard.
Other manufacturers will use completely different layouts.
A Mercedes-Benz app could take a more minimal and technical approach, while MAN, DAF and Volvo will each receive their own visual design as well.
Our goal is for you to immediately recognize which manufacturer an interface belongs to without simply looking at the logo.
Vehicle status at a glance
One of the main areas of the manufacturer apps will be the current status of your truck.
Depending on which information Euro Truck Simulator 2 and the RoadBoard telemetry system can provide, various vehicle systems may be displayed.
This can include:
- Engine status
- Transmission status
- Brakes
- Coolant
- Lights
- Tyre condition and tyre pressure
- Fuel
- AdBlue
- Battery voltage
- Overall vehicle status
The interface isn't intended to overwhelm you with technical information. The most important data should be understandable within a few seconds.
Fuel, AdBlue and efficiency
Fuel and efficiency information will also play a major role.
Our current concepts include information such as:
- Current fuel level
- Remaining range
- AdBlue level
- Average fuel consumption
- Efficiency values
- Consumption trends
This gives drivers a quick overview of both the current journey and the condition of their truck directly inside RoadBoard.
Trip data and statistics
Information about your current journey will also be integrated into the manufacturer apps.
Planned data includes:
- Distance travelled
- Driving time
- Average speed
- Average fuel consumption
- Fuel used during the current trip
- Additional telemetry and driving statistics
How this information is presented may differ between manufacturers.
A Scania interface might display it as a compact Trip Summary, while another manufacturer could use an entirely different dashboard layout.
Service and maintenance
Service information is another area we want to integrate directly into the truck apps.
RoadBoard could display information such as:
- Distance until the next service
- Time until the next service
- Vehicle condition
- Maintenance information
Instead of spreading this data across multiple menus, the goal is to bring the most relevant truck information together in a single application.
Tyres and vehicle systems
Where the required telemetry data is available, we also want to provide more detailed information about individual vehicle systems.
This could include tyre pressure information for individual axles as well as the status of other truck systems.
Areas such as driver assistance, comfort and climate controls may also become part of the individual manufacturer interfaces.
Our current designs already explore dedicated sections for:
- Driver assistance systems
- Comfort features
- Climate
- Vehicle settings
- Tyre pressure
- Service information
Exactly which functions will be available depends on what data Euro Truck Simulator 2 and our telemetry interface can reliably provide.
Integrated into the CarPlay-style interface
The manufacturer apps will be part of the existing RoadBoard environment and will integrate directly into its CarPlay-inspired interface.
Navigation, phone, music and other RoadBoard applications will remain accessible through the familiar sidebar.
The truck app itself will become the central place for vehicle-related information.
More than just a different logo
One of the most important parts of this project is making sure the manufacturer apps actually feel different from one another.
We don't want to release the same application five times and simply replace the manufacturer logo.
Scania should feel like Scania.
Mercedes-Benz should follow a different design language.
MAN, DAF and Volvo will receive their own interfaces as well.
At the same time, every app will follow the same fundamental RoadBoard principles: clear information, quick readability and an interface designed for use inside the cab.
What's next?
The first interface concepts for several manufacturers are already being developed.
Our next step is to determine which vehicle data can be reliably detected and displayed inside these apps. From there, each manufacturer's interface will continue to evolve.
We'll share more screenshots and information about the individual truck apps throughout development.
We also want to hear what you would like to see.
Which information should always be visible directly on the truck app's main screen?
Share your ideas and feedback with us on Discord.
The interfaces shown are development concepts and may change before release. RoadBoard is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Scania, Mercedes-Benz, MAN Truck & Bus, DAF Trucks or Volvo Trucks. All trademarks, logos and product names belong to their respective owners.