Mack Brings Heavy-Duty Collision Mitigation to MD Series with Mack Protect
Mack Trucks launched Mack Protect, a collision mitigation system with Automatic Emergency Braking and pedestrian detection, for its medium-duty MD Series at Work Truck Week 2026.
2026
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What Happened
Mack Trucks introduced Mack Protect, its proprietary collision mitigation system, for the Mack MD Series at Work Truck Week 2026 in Indianapolis. Originally available on heavy-duty Mack Pioneer models, the system brings radar, cameras, and detection algorithms to medium-duty trucks for the first time, designed to help drivers avoid or reduce collisions.
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with adjustable time gap
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with brake and hazard light activation
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with audible cues
- Speed Limit Sign Identification with overspeed alerts at 5 and 10 mph
- Lane Change and Blind Spot Support with pedestrian and bicyclist detection on passenger side
“By bringing Mack Protect to our Mack MD Series, we’re delivering heavy-duty-grade active safety to customers that operate in dense urban and regional environments. Situational awareness, the detection of pedestrians and Automatic Emergency Braking help our customers more safely navigate when operating in dense urban and regional environments.”
The system integrates forward-looking radar and camera for FCW and ACC, and side-facing sensors for blind spot detection. AEB automatically applies brakes if the driver does not respond to collision warnings, while LDW monitors lane markings. Speed limit sign recognition displays limits on the CoPilot display and alerts when exceeding by 5 and 10 mph.
Why this matters
This brings advanced safety features typically found in heavy-duty trucks to medium-duty vehicles operating in dense urban environments, potentially reducing collisions and protecting vulnerable road users.
Terms in This Story
- AEB
- Automatic Emergency Braking: a system that automatically applies the brakes to avoid or reduce the severity of a collision.
- FCW
- Forward Collision Warning: a system that alerts the driver of a potential collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, or obstacle ahead.
- LDW
- Lane Departure Warning: a system that alerts the driver if the vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane.
- ACC
- Adaptive Cruise Control: a system that automatically adjusts vehicle speed to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.