Mack Launches Protect Safety System for MD Series

New York, United States- Mack Trucks Inc., has introduced Mack Protect, its proprietary collision mitigation system, for the Mack MD Series medium-duty truck range. The announcement was made during Work Truck Week 2026.

Previously available on the heavy-duty Mack Pioneer, Mack Protect is now being extended to medium-duty customers for the first time. The system is a fully integrated active safety platform that combines Mack-developed radar, camera technology, and detection algorithms to help drivers avoid collisions or reduce their severity. Built to meet Mack’s durability and performance standards, the platform also offers expanded detection capabilities, including forward- and side-looking pedestrian recognition.

Mack Protect for the MD Series includes a broad set of safety features such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Speed Limit Sign Identification with overspeed alerts, and right-side Lane Change and Blind Spot Support with pedestrian and bicyclist detection.

According to Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America, bringing Mack Protect to the MD Series allows Mack to offer heavy-duty-grade active safety technologies to customers operating in dense urban and regional environments. He noted that enhanced situational awareness, pedestrian detection, and Automatic Emergency Braking can help drivers operate more safely in these demanding conditions.

The Forward Collision Warning system uses Mack’s proprietary forward-facing radar and camera to identify vehicles, motorcycles, cyclists, and pedestrians ahead of the truck. When a possible collision risk is detected, the driver receives escalating visual and audible alerts.

The Adaptive Cruise Control system automatically adjusts vehicle speed to maintain a safe following distance. Using radar, it detects slower-moving vehicles in the same lane and can reduce cruise speed, activate the engine brake, downshift the transmission, and apply service brakes when needed.

If the driver does not respond after a Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking activates the service brakes automatically to help avoid or reduce the impact. In such situations, the system can also activate the brake lamps and hazard lights.

The Lane Departure Warning feature uses a forward-facing camera to monitor lane markings and alerts the driver if the truck unintentionally drifts out of its lane. Audio warnings are delivered through the left or right speaker depending on the direction of the lane crossing.

Mack Protect also includes speed limit sign recognition with overspeed alerts. A forward-facing camera detects U.S. and Canadian speed limit signs and displays them on the truck’s CoPilot display. The system issues alerts if the truck exceeds the posted limit by 5 mph and then again at 10 mph.

For improved side awareness, the Lane Change and Blind Spot Support feature uses dual side-facing sensors to monitor the passenger side of the truck. It can detect nearby vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, providing visual and audible alerts to help reduce blind-spot incidents during lane changes.

Mr. Alex Lee, Mack senior product manager for vocational and medium duty, said these safety technologies reflect Mack’s focus on equipping customers with tools that support drivers while also helping protect other road users. He added that Mack Protect brings premium collision mitigation technology to medium-duty customers who expect Mack’s traditional standards of quality, durability, and uptime.

You must be logged in to respond.