For years, trailers have been the overlooked part of the trucking equation. Power units often get the spotlight, but in reality, the trailer is just as critical to freight, safety, and uptime. With smart trailer technology reshaping how fleets operate, trailers are becoming active, data-driven participants in logistics. Ensuring those systems work from day one and continue working in the harshest environments is essential.
That is why Phillips Connect developed TechAssist, a mobile app built specifically for trailer OEMs and fleet maintenance operations. TechAssist is now available for iOS and Android, giving technicians a powerful tool to verify smart trailer installations and keep assets ready to hit the road.
Installing smart trailer systems at OEMs and in fleet yards has historically been a pain point. TechAssist guides installers and technicians through every step of the process. Each sensor, gateway, and communication hub is confirmed as online and reporting before a trailer hits the road.
For OEMs and for fleets this means faster installs and stronger quality control at scale, and that every trailer leaving the lot is fully functional and ready to integrate into operations and to be put to work.
Smart trailer uptime in the real world
The reality of trailer operations is unforgiving. Todd Thibault, our Senior Director of Field Services told me, “Commercial Class 8 trailers operate in one of the harshest environments you can imagine. Road debris, corrosion, impacts. Damage can happen minutes after installation. TechAssist lets even a brand-new technician bring that system back to 100 percent quickly without having to call tech support. That is protecting and getting a return on investment in one simple-to-use app.”
By pairing directly with Phillips Connect sensors, TechAssist gives maintenance techs an instant and clear picture of trailer health. Tires, brakes, lights, ABS, ATIS, air tanks, and more can be quickly diagnosed and repaired, saving time, labor, and downtime.
Empowering fleets to scale
Historically, troubleshooting and maintaining connected trailer systems required highly trained field engineers. TechAssist changes that by making advanced diagnostics accessible to every technician, whether in-house or third-party. Guided workflows shorten the training curve from months to minutes, empowering fleets to scale their smart trailer programs without creating bottlenecks.
Decades of partnerships with the world’s largest fleets and trailer OEMs have given us a deep understanding of how our customers work, what they expect, and where their pain points are. TechAssist is a direct result of that knowledge. It is not just a tool, it is part of how we help customers get the most from their trailer investments.
Why it matters now
The freight industry is moving quickly toward greater connectivity, automation, and efficiency. Fleets that treat trailers as active participants in the logistics ecosystem, rather than passive equipment, stand to gain the most. With TechAssist, Phillips Connect is ensuring that transition is seamless, reliable, and scalable.
TechAssist is available now for iOS and Android. Learn more or request a demo at phillips-connect.com/solutions/technology-products/techassist