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5 mins read
From multichannel marketing to cloud-based sharing to unified communications, so much about the way we do business has been optimised by connected technologies. For small and large businesses alike, connectivity is becoming an essential fabric that’s increasing employee productivity and customer satisfaction.
Connectivity is transforming the mobility and fleet industrie too, with new innovations making driving safer, easier and more efficient. Connected vehicles – i.e. vehicles that are fitted with an inbuilt communication device that connects to the mobile network to enable more efficient fleet management – make up 48% of new vehicles sold globally
So what are the connected car technologies to watch, and how can they help you manage a more efficient fleet?
You’ve probably heard the term ‘telematics’. In fact, they’re on the tech wishlists for 49% of Australian fleets
Telematics refers to the process of collecting data from vehicles and sending it to a central platform, where businesses can make smarter decisions for their fleet. Having such streamlined data reveals patterns and insights that can be translated into clear improvements such as: vehicle tracking that allows you to optimise utilisation, vehicle performance monitoring which can help with depreciation planning and maintenance schedules and traffic information which can lead to better route planning.
And it’s not the stuff of the future, this innovation is here now.
Toyota Halo is a connected fleet management solution for businesses of all sizes.
Designed to improve the fleet experience for managers and drivers alike, some of the main benefits of Toyota Halo include:
Increased efficiency
Vehicle monitoring means you can locate all of your vehicles on the road, see which vehicles are available for use, and access trips and idle time.
Increased safety
Insights on driver behaviour, speed and incidents can help with driver training and support.
Improved Fleet Reporting
Easy access to system-generated reports – such as Usage, Trips and Fault Code reports – can improve fleet reporting and streamline admin.
Existing Toyota fleets can access Toyota Halo by installing a Toyota Genuine accessory in their vehicles, while new or upgrading fleets will soon be able to choose Connected Vehicles that come with the technology pre-installed.
While telematics technology like Toyota Halo connects vehicles to a central processing platform, connecting cars to the Internet of Things (IoT) is the next step in the connected future; Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) which allow cars to communicate with each other (vehicle-to-vehicle, or V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (or V2I).
One of the primary advantages of this type of connected car – where critical information is exchanged between multiple points in real time – is increased road safety and driver safety.
Take V2I connectivity: it could be used to analyse traffic flow and speed, to predict bottlenecks, and to manage congestion. It could warn drivers about upcoming road hazards – like roadworks, an accident, or impending weather events. It could impose variable speed limits, open or close traffic lanes as needed, and help reduce accidents whilst creating a more stable environment for fleet drivers to operate in.
Then layer in V2V connectivity to further increase the safety of your drivers – by both augmenting their capacity behind the wheel, and protecting them against the behaviour of unsafe drivers. V2V systems could communicate the speed and position of surrounding vehicles, detect and react to dangerous driving behaviours like lane departures, as well as determine safe following distances and braking patterns.
All images indicative only and not to scale.
Toyota has made great steps to advancing IoT-enabled innovations, with Toyota Connected Services. Powered by an inbuilt 3G or 4G IoT data communication module (DCM), the new service focuses on safety and security when you’re on the road and off it
Key features include an Automatic Collision Notification, which is initiated when a vehicle is involved in a serious collision where an airbag deploys or impact sensors are triggered
Toyota Connected Services is currently available on the First-Ever Yaris Cross, Camry, LandCruiser 300, HiAce and Granvia.
While self-driving (or fully autonomous) cars might still be a while off, the advancements in V2V and V2I connectivity are paving the way for semi-automated driving.
If your fleet uses Toyota Safety Sense, it will already benefit from partial automation through features such as Pre Collision Safety system, in which the car applies more brake pressure if it detects the driver has not applied enough to avoid a collision
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like Toyota Safety Sense might play a crucial role as we move toward fully autonomous vehicles. As more and more driving tasks become automated through this evolution, the role of the fleet driver could expand to include new responsibilities, presenting a new level of flexibility and freedom to adapt to.
With this revolution in connected technologies, the opportunities to improve your fleet operations can be both exciting and overwhelming. Your local fleet dealer can help you plan upgrades to your fleet, or make smarter decisions next time you need to purchase a new vehicle. Get in touch today.
The Connected Vehicle helps the driver to control everything, from heating and cooling, entertainment, navigation, and hands-free phone calls, all while concentrating on the road
Disclaimer
(1), (2) https://www.experiencespermile.org/reports/
(3) ACA Research - Technologies Shaping Fleet Of The Future
This information provided is of a general nature and for information only. Nothing in this article constitutes or should be considered to constitute legal, taxation or financial advice. Before making a decision about any of the products and services featured on this article, you should consult with your own independent legal, taxation and financial advisors, who can advise you about your personal circumstances.
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