LISLE, Ill., Aug. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IC Bus today announced that over-the-air (OTA) programming of engine control modules (ECM) will be made available for IC Bus™ models powered by Navistar^® proprietary engines and, going forward, by Cummins^® engines.

By the end of 2016, OTA will be available for aftermarket purchase through IC Bus dealers for all IC Bus models, 2007 and newer, that are powered by Navistar proprietary engines. For new IC Bus school buses powered by Cummins engines, OTA will be available in January 2017.    

"Over-the-air programming is now a reality for school bus operators," said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager, IC Bus. "This first-in-the-industry innovation allows operators to update engine control modules with unprecedented ease and convenience over a safe, secure Wi-Fi connection, speeding their access to improved uptime and other benefits."

OTA programming of the bus's ECM will enable the bus driver, maintainer or fleet manager to utilize a mobile interface to initiate engine programming to approved engine calibrations. This quick procedure can be performed at the customer's facility over a safe, secure Wi-Fi connection. IC Bus continues to partner with industry-leading data and technology companies to ensure the system offers the highest level of security.

"Over-the-air programming also sets the stage for a future of connected vehicle services in the school bus community," Reed said. "This two-way connected vehicle technology allows eligible users to pull the data from the bus, analyze the data, and communicate back to the bus. This capability can potentially enable future engine calibrations and other updates to be tailored to the requirements of a particular vehicle."

Learn more about over-the-air programming at a local IC Bus dealer.

About IC Bus
IC Bus, LLC of Lisle, Ill., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar, Inc. (NYSE: NAV). The nation's largest integrated manufacturer of school buses, IC Bus is a global leader in passenger protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus™ buses are sold, serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service. Additional information is available at www.icbus.com.