Autonomous vehicle technology is the next big thing, a well-known fact after centuries of mishaps due to human error. With globalization on the rise, the boom of international fleet management is inevitable. Forecasted to reach USD 52.4B by 2027, demand for safety in fleets will only keep rising. As the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) rises to 15.5%, technology is claiming its spot as a key asset within the market.
From facilitating change in automobile safety management to revolutionizing industry standards, automation plays an integral part in fleet development. Not just an excellent tool for keeping the welfare of the masses safe, the return on investment (ROI) for fleet safety technology has been staggering. From establishing a 43% reduction in accidents to 53% of significant cost savings for respondents, the value of integrated safety systems is unparalleled.
Hence, let’s explore the latest safety technologies to invest in your commercial fleet business this 2023.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Known as a holy grail of collision prevention, AEB is an automated brake safety technology that mitigates potential risks exponentially. First appearing in the early 2000s, AEB was only made mandatory in 2022 for all vehicles within the EU.
How does it work?
Armed with radar and occasionally laser sensors, it works by identifying incoming clashes. Within AEB, three variations of the system are highlighted below;
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Starting with alarms to warn the driver, AEB slows down the car or brings it to a complete halt when driving forward.
- Automatic Emergency Braking With Pedestrian Detection (AEB-ped)
As the name suggests, it focuses on pedestrians or cyclists when the car is moving ahead.
- Rear Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB-rear)
Like the usual AEB, the only difference is working when the car moves in reverse.
What are the benefits?
Renowned for multiple advantages, it is well-known for reducing impact by over 86% at 30MPH; automatic brakes also eliminate misfortunes in 6 out of 20 test runs at 40MPH. Advanced algorithms often alleviate incoming catastrophes into more minor collisions or completely eradicate their chances. The benefits of AEB make it a priority for businesses to reduce unexpected liabilities caused by human error.
Vehicle Telematics System
Simply put, fleet telematics refers to tracking devices installed on an automobile to transmit and store data through wireless networks. Like an integrated network, it combines multiple sources of information, from GPS systems to onboard vehicle diagnostics, to generate actionable insights. In some cases, having a telematics system is known for optimizing travel routes or providing secure communications within a vehicle.
How does it work?
Telematic devices are installed or, in most cases, embedded by manufacturers in fleet vehicles to capture live data. Some of the more common ones are GPS tracking systems and dashcams that gather disparate information types, including fuel usage, automobile defects, destructive driver behaviors, and venues. One of the best devices to track drivers’ behaviors is often AI-operated, like Cameramatics’s fleet dashcam systems that highly rely on artificial intelligence. These devices transmit consolidated data into the cloud or wireless network that can be easily accessible and interpreted for real-time analysis.
What are the benefits?
The consolidated data allows comprehensive analysis to shed light on key improvement areas. For a business, telematic devices can be a cost-saving asset that reduces gas consumption and enhances drivers’ KPI (productivity). By tracking the routes and activities, drivers’ safety is the main takeaway in preventing misfortunes. Lastly, telematic devices also have a more streamlined approach to payroll.
Internet of Things
Collectively known as an integrated network of devices, the cloud, and sensors, IoT is a relatively new technology that connects cars. Commonly used in cars as sensors, its primary goal is to inform business owners or fleet hub employees about activities in and outside the automobile.
How does it work?
When used with telematics, IoT’s primary function is coordination across several platforms. It involves many products, including electronic devices, actuators, sensors, and platform hubs, to establish a ‘smart’ integrated network. In short, IoT functions as a tailored solution for fleet management to track, gather, and diagnose areas to repair, revise, and reform.
What are the benefits?
Identifying parts of automobiles that might be at risk generates significant savings for the business. IoT helps reduce operational disruptions and high repair costs associated with broken parts. Some benefits of IoT are optimized deliveries, engine performance, and fuel efficiency with process automation. Like dashcams, it also uses artificial intelligence that plays a vital role in a business’s procedures.
Blockchain Technology
Unlike its cryptocurrency counterparts, blockchain is a decentralized data structure implemented to track, monitor, and store multiple transactions securely. Due to the openness of blockchain, it facilitates transparency in money-sensitive issues for all vehicles utilized.
How does it work?
To keep it simple, blockchain is the equivalent of a digital bookkeeping system that coordinates data across multiple electronic devices. Imagine a list of transactions in a box interlinked by a mutual password. That’s what blockchain does; it facilitates security in a protected setting where confidential information remains in boxes controlled by various participants. When merged with IoT solutions, it could be an optimal alternative for several businesses that demand transparency in their fleet’s history.
What are the benefits?
Apart from transparency, one of the main advantages is the efficiency and effectiveness of leveraging blockchain technology for fleet management. For example, by possessing transparent transactions on a vehicle’s history, its usable life and depreciation could be easily determined. Not to mention with an extensively clear tracking history, a middleman is no longer needed, leading to significant cost savings.
Conclusion
People will reform archaic systems as technology advances with automation and artificial intelligence, and people will improve archaic systems. Technology sets the pace for progress to take place in fleet management to utilize new methodologies that could streamline and simplify existing processes. Thus, businesses must move with dynamic flexibility to optimize technology for profitable growth.