Introduction to Telematics

Telematics technology is revolutionizing industrial, manufacturing and automotive domain through the efficient and productive transportation system. The technology is primarily applied in the automotive industry although other industries are also applying the technique to improve their processes using IoT (Internet of Things).

What is telematics?

Telematics is an integration of telecommunication systems and informatics that enable users to access, transmit, store and manipulate information across a remote network. Various telecommunication devices send, receive and store information via the computer networks. The information accessed through the network is used to remotely monitor and control moving objects using the navigation system. Once the Communication Module is installed in device/car, you can remote control all the connected cars, track where the vehicle is, how fast it is traveling and the normal functioning of the vehicle.

Vehicle telematics provides onboard communication, route plans, track vehicle location and determine the speed of a moving vehicle. Fleet managers and insurers use this data to monitor commercial vehicle movements, status, and its performance.

It uses the principle of data and communication to transmit information from vehicle to vehicle or from vehicle to a central server via wireless technology. It also helps you to watch a wireless TV, listen to entertainment, execute home automation commands or access internet services forming part of IoT domain.

Telematics and self-driving cars are going to change the automotive and transportation sector. A more connected and autonomous vehicle will be built to provide on-demand delivery of goods. The technology not only provides fast delivery of goods but also offer convenient and cheaper means of transport.

Application of Telematics technology

1. Connected Cars

Connected cars because of Telematics, help in getting maintenance and other alerts to consumer. When Communication Module is installed in a vehicle, reports and alerts for maintenance can be generated. This also helps in the information analytics for manufacturers and OEMs for improvement in product or processes.

2. Fleet Management

Fleet managers use the technology to get insights on the use of a fleet of vehicles, come up with strategies on how to reduce fuel consumption, reduce cost and also reduce the carbon footprint. Fleet managers can rely on this information to restrict vehicle movement in certain areas. The managers will also be provided with feedback on each driver’s performance and the risk involved due to his driving behavior.

3. Driving Behavior and Usage based Insurance industry

Some insurance companies use telematics connected devices as a way of providing insurance cover to clients. An installed telematics communication module is used to measure and send your vehicle’s driving data to the insurance company.

The data send determines how safe you drive, your driving style, and how fast you drive. Using the data collected on the vehicle will promote a lot of transparency in the insurance industry. Insurers will be able to pay for how they drive since the tech focuses on monitoring individual driving behavior.

Information gathered on connected cars can be used to personalize insurance products to meet needs of different drivers. The more behaved drivers will be able to pay a lower insurance fee compared to drivers who are rough and a maniac on the road.

4. Vehicle Tracking

Fleet managers can remotely monitor commercial vehicle movements, vehicle status and make appropriate maintenance decisions. Driver’s idle time and the performance can be tracked to determine how efficient they are.

Using vehicle tracking, emergency services can also locate the vehicle and can help someone in emergency.

5. Mileage Monitoring

Capturing mileage data is also very important factor in determining the travel distance covered and the historical data of the vehicle. For example, collecting data on vehicle mileage helps in determining the leasing or selling price for the vehicle. The total journey covered by the vehicle determines the vehicle’s lifecycle. This information is analyzed based on the probability of repairs done and mileage coverage.

6. Trailer Tracking

Provides real-time cargo location. You can easily determine the location and positioning of a trailer using your mobile device connected to the network. The GPS system fitted in the vehicle records its exact position and transmit the information to the central location via the wireless network or using satellite communication. Users can log into the system using their mobile devices and keep track of the trailers distance and know when the delivery will be made.

7. Satellite Navigation

A GPS system can direct vehicles to unknown destinations. The navigation system installed on your automobile device has landmarks for the surrounding environment and can provide you with the route in order to reach a certain destination.  Just enter the starting point and the destination and the GPS will navigate you safely towards the destination.

8. Cold Sore

Telematics integrated sensors determine varying temperature and humidity changes. Constant monitoring of temperatures changes provides real-time data on vehicle engine temperatures and help you achieve cold storage.

9. Wireless Communication and Safety

Your vehicle safety on the roads depends on wireless vehicle communication. The built-in electronic devices display information like road hazards, vehicle speed, and location to the driver. When connected to a wireless network of other vehicles, the driver can get warning signs on what’s happening on the road. For example, if one of the connected vehicles applies a break, a signal is sent to all other devices to slow down. In case, there is an accident within distance. He the driver can choose an alternative route to avoid a traffic jam.

 Use of Telematics

Telematics is used to track stolen cars, remotely monitor a fleet of vehicles, in-vehicle diagnostics and in insurance companies. Insurance company charge insurance based on vehicle usage and driving behavior. Risky drivers pay higher insurance rates compared to low risk drivers. Good driving discipline is rewarded, and drivers will be able to monitor their driving score. The tech enables managers to enhance the security of good on transit and improve on the business operations.

How Telematics Technology works

Transmission of information to and from an individual computerized vehicle is via GPS tracking system and Wireless communication network. Mobile networks, GPS, and Wi-Fi technologies are the means of communication between the connected vehicles.

Users can control the connected devices through the smartphone device. Whether installing the device for home or industry automation, you can monitor the vehicle position, its movement, and behavior although the onboard computer screen or a cellphone.

The installed hardware has a SIM card and a modem which allows transmission of information through the cellular network. GPS navigation system records the exact position of the vehicle and the speed accelerometer measures the vehicle’s moving speed. The data is encrypted and sent to the central management system.

At the central system, the collected data is analyzed and processed through a computerized mapping software. The information is made available to consumers in real-time and can rely on it to make traffic decisions and avoid traffic jams. Managers can rely on this information for their reporting and schedule maintenance tasks to the cars. They also monitor the driver’s performance and their driving behavior.

Key benefits for telematics to business decision makers

1. Live traffic feeds: Using telematics, the connected vehicle will record the current traffic status which is transmitted to a central location. Fleet managers can rely on this live information to respond to unexpected traffic problems, change the route or even reallocate resources based on recorded information. Integration of telematics and smartphone technology will enable managers and staff members get diagnostic data via the handheld devices and be able to make the decision even when out of office. The managers have to ensure all the drivers comply with the NHTSA requirements when on road to avoid any accidents.

2. Track vehicle movement: The GPS system provides an up-to-date information on the current location of each vehicle, therefore, making it easy to dispatch the nearby vehicle to a client. It can also monitor the vehicle status and its behavior.
3. Driver performance: Automotive telematics monitor driver’s performance. The data collected on the connected vehicle is used to determine the driver’s behavior, how they conduct themselves on the road and take appropriate measures to avoid any unsafe driving.
4. Maintenance: Installed telematics system provides service alerts to the manager on maintenance, remind on scheduled maintenance plans, and safety checks for the vehicle. Drivers can receive automated repair alerts on the vehicles.
5. Fleet management: This helps companies that offer transportation services with ways on how to reduce the risks involved in vehicle investment, reduce the transportation cost, and improve the company’s productivity and efficiency.
6. Reduces vehicle’s operating expenses: If the automated repair processes are carried out regularly, it ensures the automobile equipment is in good working condition and this reduces maintenance cost in the long run and increase the efficiency of the equipment.

Benefits to the consumers

1. Monitor you’re driving: Drivers get a custom dashboard with information on miles driven and their driving scores. It also gets feedback on how to drive safe based on the recorded data about the driver’s driving skills.
2. Wireless vehicle safety: The technology helps in providing vehicle and road safety to consumers. The technology uses electronic sub-system in order to exchange information about the driver’s road safety and hazards, determine the cars speed, and location using the radio links.
3. Warnings: Emergency warning telematics systems are developed to monitor the surrounding environment and issue warning information to the driver.
4. Fast communication: As technology keeps on changing so is the telematics tech. Fleet systems are upgrading to 4G networks for faster transmission of data. With the 4G network, consumers experience faster downloads and greater bandwidth.
5. Improved customer service.

Components of Telematics system

1. Telematics control unit (TCU): TCU comes with a heat and vibration shield so that it can be fitted anywhere in the vehicle depending on your vehicle’s model.
2. Wireless communication infrastructure: Platform used for cellular communication between the connected vehicle and the central location.
3. CRM system: The Customer Relationship Management system is used to ensure there is constant interaction between the customers and the transport company. Many fleet companies allow their customers to log in to their fleet management system and know the location of the vehicle, delivery times or even book for a service.
4. GPS system: A Global Positioning System locates the vehicle’s position on earth. When moving from one area to another, the GPS receiver tracks the current position, the driving speed and time.
5. Motion sensor: this is used to analyze the driver’s braking, acceleration, and when driving on rough roads.
6. Sim Card: Subscriber Identification module (SIM) is a means of communication between the connected vehicle and the central database.
7. Telematics software/backend: The software provides access to the TCU data at call centers. This software provides vehicle tracking, status information, monitor fuel levels and maintain road safety. The data recorded is used to monitor and manage telematics services offered by different companies.

Information recorded by the Telematics Communication Module

1. The specific time during the day or night in which you drive.
2. Your driving speed on different types of road.
3. Whether you accelerate or brake sharply
4. Whether you take breaks when on a long journey
5. The number of miles you have driven
6. The total vehicle mileage 

How is telematics revolutionizing the automobile industry?

Over the years, the automotive industry is deploying telematics technology as a way of monitoring vehicle performance and detecting problems with the vehicles. The system also provides wireless connectivity to the customers on board.

Once installed, it collects data on the moving vehicle, the location, and vehicle status. The insurance company relies on this information to monitor and grade the drivers driving skills. The data can also be compared with historical data already stored in the data warehouse and determine the insurance cost for the vehicle.

The web-based application software provides drivers with information on how to improve their driving skill, access their current location or use the GPS system for navigation in unknown areas. Drivers use the system to collect and transmit valuable field information.

In countries like the US, drivers using telematics connected devices can get real-time medical help in case they are involved in an accident.

Fleet managers can rely on telematics technology to provide them with route plans for each fleet of cars, monitor the driver’s skills, track vehicle’s status and scheduled maintenance services. The technology not only provides this information to the fleet managers but also provide feedback to drivers on their performance in real-time.

The managers can monitor the vehicle 24/7 using the customized applications via the desktop, smartphone, digital maps or through an SMS. The data transmitted through the connected device can also be accessed through the internet.

Latest technologies on telematics enable the driver to monitor temperatures, fuel consumption, audio communication and other services. The connected sensors allow each vehicle to transmit its GPS location and temperature through the GSM/GPRS network to the communication center or central control center.

Businesses use telematics to improve the productivity, reduce operational costs, and increase their efficiency as well as improving the customer services. Managers rely on data collected for strategic decision making.

Inefficiencies in management are spotted and corrective action is taken to ensure there is maximum utilization of resources and your fleet comply with the set standards.

Drivers rely on the technology to know what’s happening on the road through the recorded data. Use of predictive analysis helps avoid being stuck in traffic jams. The data can also help them avoid driving on congested roads or where an accident has occurred.

Telematics and communication

Telematics devices have built-in Bluetooth and cellular network for exchange of data via the internet. Wireless and mobile communications devices form part of the Internet of Things implementation resulting in real-time information exchange.

Commercial trucks are required to collect and report data using IoT devices and wireless smartphones. The devices provide accurate information on driving behavior, vehicle mileage, and driver’s idle time among others.

Vehicular and IoT technologies have made tremendous changes in the transport sector. Leveraging the GPS system enables drivers to navigate through an open road and use less congested roads. Connected telematics systems also help in reducing driver’s idle time, ensure customer satisfaction and reduce the maintenance cost of the vehicle.

The interconnected devices provide accurate tracking system. The technology is suitable for both home and industry automation tasks. It provides real-time communication services to the commercial transport sector and any other business.

Integration of telecommunication system with information technology leads to the formation of a global digital transportation system.

With many cars having onboard computer services and cellphones accessible to the drivers, they can cause distractions to the driver which may lead to accidents on the road. Fleet management firms are required to work closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to monitor the ongoing activities of the driver making sure he is not distracted.

Some States impose minor restrictions on the drivers while driving to avoid any distraction on the road. NHTSA has also set guideline for the automated driving systems which are aimed at ensuring road safety to all.

Current trends in telematics

1. Photo reporting

Companies are using photo reporting tool as a proof a transaction has taken place. There is no more manual time-stamping of location data to show that a transaction has been completed. Advanced tech tools take pictures which are later send to telematics reporting system to prove completion of a job.

2. Video

Recent automobiles have their dashboard fitted with cameras that capture data on what the driver is doing. The technology not only captures driving speed, how breaks are applied but also what the driver was doing at a specific period. In case of an accident, the telematics data captured can show the drivers actions before the crash and also what contributed to the crash. This information not only essential to an insurance company but also to the fleet owners to capture any unsafe driving as well as minimize future risks involved in the transport business.

3. Predictive maintenance tools

Telematics devices are fitted with predictive maintenance feature which enables it to diagnose any malfunction with the vehicle and issue warnings to the drivers to take immediate actions. Diagnostic tools can monitor vehicle engine hours and its status for a certain period. The data captured can predict any failures with the motor vehicles and take up preventive maintenance. Collected data is used to schedule future maintenance.

4. Self-driving cars

Self-driving technology is going to change the transportation system. Most of the people have been driving themselves or rely on third-party services to move from one area to another and transport their purchases. A business which needs to remain competitive in the next five years has to implement an upgrade to the biggest innovations of telematics. One of the innovations is designing driverless vehicles to help in transportation of bought products.

Conclusion    

Connected vehicles, Fleet optimization, Self-driving cars and insurance premiums are some of the innovative features brought by telematics technology. Fleet managers can easily monitor vehicle location, reduce operating expenses, minimize fuel cost and ensure there is overall productivity of fleet cars.

Insurance companies are using the technology to survive the transition from human to driverless cars. The fleet management company should come up with platforms for storing data generated from telematics reporting and design effective system for provision of real-time data.

In my next article, I will come up with the latest data points for Telematics and Connected vehicles.