Capital Equipment News January 2021

A new role for connected vehicles The next opportunity for service providers in the connected mobility sector is in Big Data. With multiple devices, sensors, and users constantly generating real-time data, the true differentiator will not lie simply in the provision of hardware or software. The mobility leaders of the future will be those organisations that can sift and analyse the data, interpret it, and apply its insights for the benefit of drivers, organisations and society at large. b

when occupants may be incapacitated. Connected mobility also allows constant video monitoring of scholar-transport services. Parents can now also have the peace of mind of being able to remotely monitor every minute of their child’s school journey. Netstar, for instance, has partnered with road-safety organisations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, providing telematics to monitor the drivers of school- transport vehicles. Drivers are incentivised to drive safely and monitored with telematics technology, and it was found that monitoring led to safer driving behaviours. The insurance industry has been an early adopter of technology to unlock the benefits of connected mobility. Whether through connected vehicles or customer devices, insurers are now able to monitor driving behaviour and incentivise positive change. Essentially, products are now being customised to consumer needs. Connected fleets: commercial opportunities Fleet intelligence, obtained through telematics and IoT, enables a fuller understanding of logistics processes, where inefficiencies can be eliminated, and how profitability can be optimised. A partnership between Netstar and Putco, for instance, was able to cut accidents and also enhance COVID-19 compliance through a network of onboard cameras. Putco reduced accidents by 70%, and damage claims by 36%. In 2016/17, Putco reported 61 accidents, but by the end of December 2019, this number had dropped to 18. However, driver connectivity, often used simply for monitoring – has other positive possibilities. Free, centralised, high-speed connectivity in the vehicle means drivers parked overnight at a truck stop can video-chat with their families, or complete an e-learning course. Data, food or coffee vouchers can be offered as rewards incentives. With the monitoring of connected fleets, precision maintenance can be used to improve profitability. Servicing schedules can be adjusted to ensure a longer life for the vehicles.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JANUARY 2021 23