Talking AI and telematics with Teletrac Navman
Barney Goffer of Teletrac Navman
With 47 per cent of fleet managers now actively using AI tools as part of their tech-stack according to a recent Teletrac Navman survey, the company says it is time for businesses that have not yet explored AI and its benefits to consider the ways in which it can simplify the complexities of modern fleet operations.
“It is said that by 2030, UK GDP will be up to 10.3 per cent higher as a result of AI – the equivalent of an additional £232bn to the economy,” said Barney Goffer, Teletrac Navman UK product manager.
“Organisations face contemporary challenges in building a culture of safety, achieving net-zero operations, and remaining productive and profitable.
“Our own customer research indicates that to achieve the three goals of safety, streamlining, and sustainability over the coming years, as well as accessing expertise through long-term partnerships, technology is core to being able to deliver against them – and this is where AI can play a pivotal role.”
For fleet professionals, AI powered solutions might just be the key to creating a new era of growth for their business, Barney contends.
“As the demands on transportation infrastructure grow at an incredible rate, fleet managers can turn to AI based fleet management solutions to help them prepare for any challenges ahead, such as rising costs, and the transition to EV and alternative fuels.
“Whilst for some, AI supported operations can be a daunting thought, the power of this technology is enabling businesses to have in-depth insights within seconds, leading to more agile decision making.”
AI automatically transforms big data into digestible reports, visual dashboards and actionable insights that help businesses to make more accurate decisions, he says – and in a fraction of the time it would otherwise take.
“Fleet management platforms can capture an array of data from onboard computers and video telematics, from signs of driver fatigue, to vehicle utilisation data, to engine diagnostics, all of which can then be analysed by AI with anomalies presented in real-time.
“This vast wealth of information then allows fleet managers to make more agile, data-based decisions that will positively impact operational efficiencies, improve driver behaviour, vehicle and equipment utilisation, and safety.”
Barney also emphasises the role for AI in the transition to electric vehicles.
“Our recent global survey found that 79 per cent of global transportation leaders expect to operate a mixed energy fleet within the next five years, with over 50 per cent using alternative fuels. AI solutions aren’t just about cutting costs, they are also helping fleet managers mobilise their fleets of the future and adapt to their changing needs.
“Teletrac Navman’s Electric Vehicle Evaluator, powered by a sophisticated AI engine, analyses fleet trip data to advise where, when and how to start making your conversion to an electric fleet – removing the need for costly consultancy fees and manual research. “
AI can also be deployed to enhance driver safety and training, he adds.
“AI spots patterns and behaviours in order to make recommendations. It recognises patterns that are hidden in the data and not only helps answer the questions that you didn’t know you needed to address but also identifies the biggest influencing factors on outcomes providing recommended adjustments.
“An example of this is Teletrac Navman’s Smart Dashcams, pioneering the use of AI video technology and representing a significant development in dashcam innovation and driver coaching.
“The AI can recognise and identify incidences of mobile phone use, erratic head movements and gaze deviations, and help the driver maintain focus on the road. For driver fatigue, continuous monitoring of physiological indicators, such as eye closure duration and head position, triggers timely alerts to combat drowsiness and fatigue-related collisions.
“The system learns on the job, allowing training to be continually fine-tuned as the driver’s skill increases.”
By using AI powered fleet management platforms, businesses can not only see the right data at the right time, suggest Barney, but spot irregularities far in advance of human ability, helping fleets operate at their maximum potential.
“Whilst the benefits of AI-powered fleet management solutions span far and wide for fleet managers, it is key for transport professionals to remember that to make effective decisions you need a balance of both artificial and human intelligence,” he said.
“The value of AI is that it provides information on what is happening across your fleet without any human bias, but it is the experience and knowledge of your team that will turn these insights into the most effective decisions.”
