Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) announced that factory production has started for its Exterior Camera System, a new visibility solution 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 product expands DTNA’s existing backup camera capability. 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 an 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, vice president of vocational and medium-duty market development at DTNA, 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.”

The 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 configuration 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, DTNA said.

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.”

Backup cameras are standard equipment on Freightliner and Western Star vocational and medium-duty trucks. Additional features — including side and forward-facing cameras — are available based on customer needs.