Berg Insight estimates that the global installed base of active off-highway vehicle telematics systems reached 7.9 million units in 2022.

This includes connected units deployed on various off-highway vehicles across the construction, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. The construction sector accounts for the largest share, driven by OEM telematics systems offered by heavy equipment manufacturers. Agriculture and mining moreover each account for a similar number of connected units deployed on machines and vehicles used in agricultural and mining operations respectively. The remainder is represented by the forestry sector including telematics systems fitted to various forestry equipment. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1 percent, the active installed base of off-highway vehicle telematics systems across all sectors is forecasted to reach 14.6 million units worldwide in 2027.

“The top-10 equipment manufacturers offering telematics together account for around 70 percent of the total number of off-highway vehicle telematics systems in use across the construction, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors globally”, said Rickard Andersson, Principal Analyst, Berg Insight. Berg Insight ranks Caterpillar as the leading off-highway vehicle telematics provider.

“Far from surprising, the leading equipment manufacturer by market share is also by far the top player when it comes to the number of off-highway vehicle telematics subscribers”, said Mr. Andersson.

He adds that this is a natural development in an industry where telematics has increasingly been included as standard with the machine purchase, gradually covering more models and equipment categories.

“Caterpillar was the first to surpass the milestone of 1 million connected assets across all segments and the company now has more than 1.4 million units”, said Mr. Andersson.

The runners-up are SANY and Komatsu. Other major manufacturers with estimated installed bases of more than 100,000 units include Volvo Construction Equipment, Deere & Company, XCMG, Hitachi Construction Machinery, JCB, HD Hyundai and Doosan Bobcat.

“Additional players having estimated installed bases of off-highway vehicle telematics units in the tens of thousands include CNH Industrial, Liebherr, Terex, JLG Industries, AGCO, CLAAS Group and Tadano”, concluded Mr. Andersson.

The post The installed base of off-highway vehicle telematics systems to reach 14.6 million units worldwide by 2027 appeared first on IoT Business News.

• The Official Dealer Network of Toyota Spain will offer LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) service through Toyota Custom, the Toyota Original Accessories program.
• KINTO One and Toyota Insurance Services (TIS) will also offer LoJack SVR services.
• LoJack SVR is capable of tracking vehicles in garages, underground or in an armored container.

Toyota Spain, within its strategy of always placing the customer at the center of its activities and with the aim of offering a service of high added value, has partnered with LoJack España, a subsidiary of CalAmp, to offer an innovative service for the recovery of stolen vehicles.

The agreement between Toyota Spain and LoJack España will give Toyota customers access to best-in-class stolen vehicle recovery services enabled by direct collaboration with local law enforcement. Through this agreement, the Official Dealer Network of Toyota Spain will market LoJack SVR services directly, through Toyota Custom, the Toyota Original Accessories program.

The LoJack SVR system works with radio frequency technology capable of tracking vehicles in a garage, underground or in an armored container. It offers system tampering alerts designed to cope with the increasing use of GPS signal jammers, and service activation only in case of vehicle theft, ensuring customer privacy.

In addition, the LoJack operations control center will be available to Toyota customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing support and advice in case of theft and providing constant updates to search status for stolen vehicles. LoJack has a security team that works in direct coordination with the state security forces and law enforcement.

The collaboration between Toyota Spain and LoJack España, which has its origin in the relationship between Toyota Motor Italy (TMI) and LoJack Italia, established in 2019, will go a step further by also offering LoJack SVR services through KINTO One, leasing and car sharing service, and Toyota Insurance Services (TIS). TIS will offer LoJack as part of the insurance of models such as RAV4, Highlander and Land Cruiser with the aim of lowering the premium and offering an even more competitive insurance offering.

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• Volvo Car UK offers new Vodafone Automotive VTS S5 tracking device for all Volvo models
• Device uses pinpoint GPS tracking to provide 24/7 monitoring of vehicle location across the UK and 44 other European countries, with Vodafone Automotive working in partnership with local police authorities
• Tracking device uses Internet of Things (IOT) technology provided in partnership by Vodafone and Trinsic Connected Car™
• Security system is Thatcham Research-approved, helping secure the chance of lower car insurance premiums and access to specific insurance products

Volvo Car UK is providing its customers with extra peace of mind for the security and safety of their car with the introduction of a new vehicle tracking accessory.

The Vodafone Automotive VTS S5 is available now for all Volvo models. It provides vehicle tracking and recovery via Vodafone Automotive’s network of secure operating centres, operational 24/7 and working in partnership with local police nationwide and across 44 other European countries.

The device has received Cat S5 approval in testing by Thatcham Research, certification which may help car owners secure reductions in their insurance premiums or allow them to take advantage of specific insurance products for their car. The tracking device uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology, provided in partnership by Vodafone and Trinsic Connected CarTM.

The tracking function works 24/7 and can pinpoint a car’s location down to 10 metres. Using the associated app, drivers can also monitor their car’s location in real time, check data on previous journeys and obtain directions to their car, whether they are walking or driving.

The system automatically recognises a small card carried by the driver; Vodafone Automotive is notified immediately if the car is stolen or is driven without the card being present. To prevent false alerts, special modes can be activated if the car is at a garage or being transported. The system will also detect attempts to tow the car away, tamper with its battery or cut wires in a theft attempt. If the car is stolen, a Vodafone Automotive operator will contact local police services to give a minute-by-minute log of the car’s location – providing valuable intelligence in helping the police secure the recovery of the car and a conviction.

Hanif Jivani, Accessories Programme Manager at Volvo Car UK, said: “At Volvo, we have always put the safety of our customers first, and as we move into an increasingly digital world, we know how important the role of technology is in achieving this. Vodafone Automotive’s stolen vehicle recovery service will help us protect our customers and keep them reassured that their car is fitted with the highest standards of security in the industry.”

Nick Gliddon, Business Director at Vodafone, said:

“Should you happen to fall victim to vehicle theft, our stolen vehicle tracking technology puts you in the best possible position to locate and recover your car. We are delighted that companies such as Volvo are using our technology and connectivity to help their customers when they need it most.”

The tracking device is priced at £595, including fitting, VAT and a three-year subscription to the stolen vehicle recovery service.

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With a vehicle stolen every four minutes in France, vehicle security is becoming complicated in the face of the increasingly sophisticated methods used by thieves. Stolen vehicle recovery solutions are essential. Using its autonomous and non-jamming tracker, technology is available that can locate and recover a stolen vehicle wherever it is, anywhere in Europe.

Since 2018, COYOTE has been developing Coyote Secure, a solution which relies on IoT trackers to enable the recovery of stolen vehicles as quickly as possible.

Currently, about 3.5 million vehicles are stolen every year worldwide, including 700,000 in Europe. In 2020, 121,500 vehicles were stolen in France, which represents an average of one vehicle theft every four minutes¹. The value of stolen vehicles in France alone is estimated to be around €1 billion. Yet, in France, 80% of stolen vehicles were equipped with an anti-theft device, according to the I.C.A. Club².

Unfortunately, when owners realize their vehicle is missing, it is often too late, as only 54% of households whose car was stolen eventually recover it, compared to 39% of households whose two-wheeler (motorbike/scooter) was stolen, according to the French Ministry of the Interior³. The recovery process can be very long and gives thieves enough time to dismantle stolen vehicles or export them to the other side of the world. It is in this context that the Coyote Secure solution is essential.

A long-lasting, long-range and cost-effective solution

In 2017, COYOTE acquired Traqueur®, then the leader in tracking and post-theft recovery solutions in France, to launch the Coyote Secure solution the following year, which is the most effective stolen vehicle recovery service on the market. Thanks to this service, the company is able to recover 91% of vehicles in less than 48 hours. To guarantee this level of success, the trackers integrate the patented Traqueur® technology which has benefitted from a compatibility with the Sigfox 0G network since 2015. The tracker is autonomous and resistant to jamming, and hidden in customers’ vehicles.

One of the major advantages of the trackers is that they do not require a connection to the vehicle’s central control, which makes them much more difficult to detect during theft. The fact that they rely on an IoT network, instead of a cellular, GPS or Bluetooth network, also prevents the use of jammers and makes it possible to keep track of the vehicle even when it is hidden in a container, a box or buried underground. This is crucial when you know that 43% of stolen vehicles are hidden in closed or underground places. In fact, in France, the burial of just-stolen vehicles more than doubled between 2017 and 2020.

The Sigfox network, which offers high-quality coverage throughout France as well as international reach in more than 70 countries, makes it possible to send and retrieve small packets of information, including in areas with very weak signals, or where there is no coverage at all. A feature of this network is that IoT device operating on it require very little energy, which allows the tracker to be both very small and autonomous for years. The battery consumption of an IoT device can also be accurately calculated and monitored – this critical information reduces maintenance costs and replacement of the device when it may not be necessary.

Today, thanks to the IoT network, which enables geolocation based on network triangulation and can give an estimate between 1 – 5 km of the location of an equipped vehicle, data and positions are regularly received from the trackers, which, as soon as a theft is reported, go into “recovery mode.” This means that the network will make an estimate of the vehicle’s location with each message received, allowing the company to send its closest team directly into the field to locate the vehicle precisely where more “traditional” technologies do not work. Therefore, even if a jammer tries to block the signal, COYOTE can locate the area where the vehicle is hidden.

Once the position has been received, a team of in-house detectives are mobilized to carry out the final stages of the search. These detectives have access to the approximate position of the vehicle when it is buried. They are deployed in the field to find its exact location and recover the vehicle in partnership with the police. This unique model, combining technology and a 24/7 field team, allows the French company to be particularly responsive and efficient.

The tracking tools used by the in-house detectives have also evolved considerably since the beginning of this partnership with Sigfox, as they were initially very heavy and easy to find, which could put the detectives in danger. Today, they benefit from miniaturized tools that offer better localization and the same levels of service, while reducing operating costs by nearly two-thirds.

An offer based on strong partnership

Sigfox works closely with R&D teams as part of a constant process of innovation and is helping to make COYOTE the benchmark in post-flight recovery.

In the coming years, the firm aims to capitalize on its strategic partnerships and its vehicle recovery service, which already accounts for 30% of its revenue. Combining technologies and expertise will only strengthen its leadership and continue to create ever more innovative and affordable solutions for the connected services and driver assistance market.

Key figures:

• 300,000: number of vehicles equipped with the Coyote Secure solution
• 4 years: average lifespan of the beacons

The post COYOTE Case Study : Increasing the chances of recovering a stolen vehicle within 48 hours appeared first on IoT Business News.

The trucking industry, and the logistics that keep it running, have become fundamental to the success of supply chains, both nationally and internationally. Without those supply chains running smoothly, allowing for just-in-time orders and millions of successful daily deliveries, industries of all types would grind to a halt. The Brexit situation, with Great Britain withdrawing from the European Union, is a perfect example of the kind of chaos a broken supply chain can create.

Issues such as Brexit may have highlighted how important the trucking industry is, yet geo-political issues such as this are far from the only challenges currently facing freight and haulage, with market demands shifting quickly, and shipments growing accordingly. These issues have put trucking front and center in the eyes of those seeking industry disruption, and seismic changes to the way trucking works. As with so many transformations to the industrial landscape underway, it’s the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, and robotics leading the way and providing truly remarkable solutions to ever-growing problems.

A New Renaissance for the Trucking Industry?

Artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, and the Internet of Things are proving indispensable to the advancement of the trucking industry in the 21st century. While automated cars have dominated headlines in recent years, most analysts – quite reasonably – believe that it will be freight trucks which will be the first fully-automated vehicles in regular use on the roads. Once an AI-driven long-haul industry is in place, it’s not difficult to imagine the rest of the automotive industry catching up.

Reactions to such projections are mixed. While up to 65% of transport executives hail automation and IoT-driven trucking as nothing short of a renaissance for the industry, there are legitimate concerns that overshadow the excitement. First, there is a real risk of job losses – a common fear whenever AI is mentioned. Furthermore, there are legitimate security concerns regarding the onboard cybernetworks of autonomous trucks being hacked by cybercriminals, something which has been mitigated by innovations in the realm of anonymity networks, which can be adapted to autonomous vehicles.

Let’s take a closer look at five ways on which IoT and AI technology is transforming the trucking industry and consider the benefits to the business of just-in-time trucking and logistics.

1. Self-Driving Trucks are Safer

Perhaps the most convincing of all the arguments in support of the (seemingly unstoppable) rise of automated vehicles, both trucks and private cars, is the fact autonomous vehicles and AI-driven trucks are safer for everyone. Long-distance routes that demand long hours of high-intensity focus and alertness are dangerous for both the truck driver and those they encounter on the road. Reliable and accurate AI systems help reduce the risk of accidents, while alleviating pressures on drivers.

The trucking industry is in the midst of a personnel shortage. It’s a hard job. Fewer people are attracted to it, while the demand for haulage continues to increase. More autonomous trucks wouldn’t merely increase staff safety, they’d also help resolve capacity issues. Currently, autonomous trucks still require human drivers in the cockpit. However, as the robot systems become more skilled on their routes, a future of completely driverless fleets of trucks is easily foreseeable.

2. Staying on Top of Your Fleet

The trucking industry’s key expenses are obvious ones, such as fuel, insurance, and drivers’ wages. By tracking the locations, driving habits, and speed of the trucks in a fleet, expenses can be more successfully and efficiently managed. A combination of Big Data, AI, and IoT devices makes this happen more easily and accurately than ever before and requires little more effort than each driver having an ELD (electronic logging device) as part of their smartphone setup.

3. Fewer Repairs, Better Bottom Lines

IoT technology already plays a key role when it comes to overseeing the performance of factory equipment in the manufacturing industry, highlighting when parts need replacing, and keeping an eye on the smooth running of key components. There’s no reason why the same IoT data and technology shouldn’t be applied to the trucking industry by utilizing sensors that detect issues before they arise or recognize when vehicles need servicing.

This is a particularly attractive notion for trucking business owners and investors. Most trucking companies run up mountainous annual repair bills, as high as $15,000 per vehicle, plus another $4,000 for tires. Many of the issues that arise could have been spotted earlier. Cast in this light, smart trucks would save an immense amount of money while creating safer, more efficient fleets at the same time.

This aspect of AI, called predictive maintenance, allows problems to be addressed before they become severe (and more expensive), generating both peace of mind and a better ROI in the process. It’s no wonder that almost 90% of trucking business owners firmly believe that IoT technology is fundamental to their future success.

4. Keeping Shipments in Good Condition

Sensitive cargo, such as plants and flowers or time-sensitive perishable goods, have long been a source of headaches for the entire industry. IoT technology can automatically adjust variables like temperature and humidity in order to ensure optimal conditions for such cargo. Furthermore, it can help drivers select the best routes, taking into account road conditions, construction zones, and accidents to a timely and well-preserved delivery, both of which are critical for consistently happy customers.

In the home package delivery industry (UPS and FedEx), we’ve already seen how the ability to track packages leads to increased customer satisfaction. AI and IoT advancements allow this same functionality to be applied to commercial trucking. This industry, as much as any, can use all the trust it can find in order to future proof it for decades to come.

5. Greater Efficiency in Loading and Unloading Cargo

Last-mile deliveries and just-in-time services are on the increase, which means that every second makes a difference in logistic success rates. Robots working alongside personnel in warehouses, or working independently and fully-automated, have already made significant improvements in efficiency and time-saving procedures.

Speedier loading and unloading times allow trucks to complete more orders in a day. We’re already seeing the latest robotics technologies implemented in warehouses run by companies such as FedEx, with impressive results. Automation in the warehouse is another way to mitigate issues caused by worker shortages, and another key investment area which could save the industry millions.

IoT in the Trucking Industry: Endless Potential

There’s no questioning the fact that robotics, IoT, and AI have and will continue to cause disruption in the trucking industry, helping business owners save time and money, while staying on top of a rapidly changing and often unpredictable sector. Data-driven and tech-centric developments have been the catalysts for the digital transformation currently underway within trucking. From all indications, it appears as though the industry will act as a bellwether for the future of automated vehicles and logistics in general.

While many of the technological advances predicted for the trucking industry remain in the earliest stages, it’s clear that the business of trucking has responded positively, and is quick to adopt the latest IoT developments. With the potential to become a bonafide high-tech sector, the trucking industry plans to keep breaking new technological ground.

The post Delivering the Revolution: How the Trucking Industry Utilizes the IoT and AI appeared first on IoT Business News.

Multiyear Battery Life, Connectivity, and Compact Size Helps Automotive Dealers and Financiers Overcome Barriers in High-Risk Car Financing.

Altair Semiconductor is providing the cellular IoT technology that powers the new PassTime Encore automotive tracking device.

The device uses Altair’s cellular IoT chipset, the ALT1250.

The Altair chipset’s ultra-low power consumption enables the Encore unit to maintain functionality for several years with only a small internal battery. The small battery gives Encore its groundbreaking and industry-leading small size, allowing dealers to place the device almost anywhere inside a car unobtrusively. The multiyear battery life allows dealerships and automotive lenders to track a vehicle throughout the life of the loan.

The wire-free, self-powered unit doesn’t require the services of a professional installation technician and can be placed in the vehicle in just minutes. This significantly reduces the logistical challenges and overall costs in vehicle tracking.

“Encore is a revolutionary product for auto dealers, auto finance companies, and car fleets,” said Todd Goodnight, EVP of Product Management at PassTime. “It was enabled by Altair, the only vendor capable of delivering a cellular IoT chipset with the multiyear battery life in the chassis size our solution required.”

“The Encore is a really innovative application of our chipset,” said Dima Feldman, Head of Product Marketing at Altair Semiconductors.

“It utilizes the ultra-low-power consumption and compact size of the ALT1250 to facilitate vehicle tracking, and opens new opportunities in the vehicle telematics market.”

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Toyota Motor Italy, world leader in the sector of electrified engines, and LoJack Italia, a subsidiary of CalAmp and leader in stolen vehicle recovery and innovative automotive services, announced a partnership to protect the entire range of Toyota vehicles sold in Italy.

Starting this month, LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service (SVR) will now be offered as an option on all Toyota models to improve security and peace of mind for Toyota customers.

LoJack® SVR device, installation and subscription services are included in an optional Plus Pack package for the new RAV4 Hybrid, new Corolla Hybrid and C-HR Hybrid. Alternatively, the LoJack service can be requested as a standalone option through any Toyota dealership in Italy. LoJack Italia delivers recovery rates of stolen vehicles equal to twice the national average enabled by four market-differentiating elements:

• proven Stolen Vehicle Recovery Technology through radio frequency that tracks vehicles where other systems are less effective such as containers, underground parking lots and garages;
• the unique partnership with State Police who install special units on patrol cars to directly track and facilitate the recovery of stolen vehicles;
• a Command Center at the service of the customer 24 hours a day, informing the driver through an alert at the moment the vehicle is stolen, providing constant updates during the search;
• the LoJack Security Team supporting the State Police in localizing, recovering and returning the vehicle to the owner.

Plus Pack is offered at a promotional price with the contribution of the Car Maker for customers who sign up for Pay Per Drive financing at all Toyota dealerships in Italy. The Plus Pack offer includes the LoJack Premium service for 4 years, alloy wheels with Yokohama winter tires and the Toyota Touch® 3 with Go Plus satellite navigation system. The complete package enables Toyota customers to enjoy safe and secure mobility, 365 days a year.

“Intelligent Security is a value that should be standard for all vehicles and one step toward this is offering access to LoJack in all of our Toyota models in Italy,” said Mauro Caruccio, managing director at Toyota Motor Italy. “Knowing your vehicle is protected from auto theft is priceless for drivers in terms of freedom and security. We’re excited to provide Toyota customers with this technology.”

Justin Schmid, senior vice president and general manager of LoJack International Operation for CalAmp, said:

“Partnering with a global automotive leader like Toyota is a significant advancement towards making the reliability and security of LoJack available to drivers all over the world.”

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Positioning Universal Launches Automotive Tracker as Sequans’ First Customer.

Sequans Communications S.A. announced the certification and commercial availability of Sequans’ SP150Q LTE Cat 1 module, designed to operate on Sprint’s Curiosity IoT dedicated core network and operating system – engineered to generate immediate business intelligence from connected devices.

Positioning Universal (PUI) is the first customer to adopt the module and has recently launched the FJ1000 automotive tracker.

“We are excited to report the early success of our collaboration with Sprint to bring the innovative PUI telematics device to market on Sprint’s Curiosity IoT,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO.

“Sprint is quickly adding customers to its dedicated IoT network and operating system, which are designed to create the most optimal operating environment for connected devices. We are pleased to be a part of their aggressive IoT strategy which has enabled PUI to launch their telematics devices in record time.”

“Sequans’ SP150Q module demonstrated its robust capabilities and seamless integration into Curiosity IoT during certification testing and it passed easily without a single issue reported,” said Ivo Rook, senior vice president, IoT and product development at Sprint. “Sequans has successfully proven its vast experience in LTE for IoT, while also providing great support as we onboard new customers and awaken real-world use cases that leverage the power of Curiosity IoT’s dedicated, virtualized and distributed core, coupled with an operating system that changes the way IoT is managed and secured.”

“Sprint and Sequans have followed through on their LTE IoT commitment and simplified the process for us to bring our new LTE automotive tracker to market on Sprint,” said Mark Wells, CEO, PUI. “The Sequans’ module was easy to integrate into our device – both hardware and software – and we were able to launch it fairly swiftly.”

Positioning Universal’s FJ1000 Series LTE Automotive Tracker is a power-efficient LTE and GPS wireless modem that transmits important data such as status information, ignition events, and trip activity. Trip position locations are provided every 5-seconds for precise route lines, and status information is reported for heartbeats, boot events, GPS status, and acceleration-based events.

The PUI device is based on Sequans’ SP150Q LTE Cat 1 module that comprises Sequans’ Calliope LTE Cat 1 chip platform and all other elements necessary for a complete LTE modem system, including an LTE-optimized transceiver, a complete triple-band RF front end for Sprint LTE bands 12, 25/2, 26/5, and key interfaces, including USB 2.0 host and device, SDIO 3.0 host, USIM, HS-UART. SP150Q can seamlessly connect to a GNSS solution for asset and IoT device tracking. The SP150Q is pin-to-pin compatible with all Sequans’ Q-series modules, enabling single platform support for multiple LTE categories, including LTE Cat 4, LTE Cat 1, and LTE Cat M1/NB1.

The SP150Q module is now in full production and certified for operation on Sprint, including Sprint roaming partners.

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LoJack® SVR service could save insurance carriers millions in claims expense.

CalAmp, brand owner of LoJack®, and TransUnion today announced the launch of LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) services for insurance carriers aimed at significantly reducing stolen vehicle losses, improving risk management and increasing vehicle recovery rates for consumers.

Many consumers and insurance carriers do not know their insured vehicles may be equipped with a LoJack unit that can expedite recovery of a stolen vehicle with law enforcement assistance. The new service brought to the market by CalAmp and TransUnion will help insurance carriers leverage this covert, yet powerful, capability to reduce their claims expense on stolen vehicles with minimal effort and investment.

Insurance data is combined with LoJack’s database of SVR unit-installed vehicles in a dormant state. Insurance carriers can simply elect to enable the new recovery service. When a LoJack SVR unit-equipped vehicle is reported stolen and the LoJack unit is activated, law enforcement can directly locate and recover the vehicle using one of more than 14,000 LoJack police tracking computers installed in police vehicles across the nation.

“Every 41 seconds, a vehicle is stolen and thieves are constantly devising sophisticated means to do so, from fraudulent loans to ID theft. As the only SVR system directly integrated with law enforcement, the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System has an extremely high recovery rate on cars, trucks and SUVs,” said Michael Burdiek, president and chief executive officer at CalAmp.

“We are excited to help insurers potentially save millions of dollars by integrating the LoJack SVR system with TransUnion’s strength in insurance data analytics. This is a tremendous cost-savings opportunity for insurance companies and their customers.”

Lack of technology and resources often makes it difficult for insurers and law enforcement to recover a stolen vehicle. If recovered, vehicles may be relegated to a junkyard because thieves have stripped them of valuable parts. The national stolen vehicle recovery rate is only 59%.

Cars, trucks and SUVs with the LoJack System had a more than 90% average recovery rate¹ in 2018. By enabling the seamless activation of a previously dormant LoJack SVR unit, CalAmp and TransUnion will now enable insurance carriers to introduce a new service that streamlines the claims process and mitigates losses. At the same time, law enforcement can improve recovery rates for consumers and reduce the potential for other crimes that are often related to auto theft.

“Reducing the time to take action can mean the difference between vehicle recovery, total loss and lifetime customer loyalty. Vehicle recovery is a group effort, and we are committed to providing consumers a leg up on criminal activity, while ensuring meaningful cost savings for all,” said Mark McElroy, executive vice president and head of TransUnion’s insurance business unit.

“Our internal analysis reflected a $3 million dollar reduction in annual theft claims based on the 5 million vehicles included in the initial release of the solution.”

Experts from CalAmp and TransUnion caution against depending on technology alone, but rather helping insurance carriers and law enforcement leverage existing data to expedite the stolen vehicle recovery process.

The post CalAmp and TransUnion Launch New Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service appeared first on IoT Business News.

London’s Ultra Low Emission Zones shows the need to improve commercial vehicle efficiency.

As of April 8th, London introduced Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) in an effort to reduce the CO2 levels across the UK capital and improve the air quality for the city’s millions of inhabitants.

Currently, the ULEZ covers some of the most popular areas of the city with regulations in force 24 hours a day in Westminster, Covent Garden, Mayfair and Lambeth along with other surrounding areas. Plans are in place for 2021 to expand the ULEZ to include all areas between the North and South circular roads. London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the ULEZ, “a vital step towards helping combat London’s illegal air.”

Most vehicles which are not compliant with the efficiency standards of the zones must pay £12.50 per day, as well as the congestion charge, to enter or face fines of £160. For lorries, however, if they do not meet or exceed the Euro 6 standards, they will be charged £100 per day to enter the zones.

Some see the introduction of ULEZ, and its proposed expansion in 2 years time as the time to change over to electric vehicles or replace older petrol and diesel vehicles with newer more efficient ones.

These vehicle changes could represent vast and unaffordable costs to businesses. For vehicles such as cars and vans, entering the ULEZ 5 times a week, along with congestion charge, means an added £120 in expenses. While those operating in London who need to enter the new ULEZ seem to have little option but to comply with the regulations, or face significant fines, there are still ways to improve vehicle efficiency for commercial vehicles which can benefit businesses across the UK.

Keeping commercial vehicles maintained correctly and running as smoothly as possible is vitally important when aiming to improve efficiency. However, installing vehicle tracking technology has also been shown to improve the efficiency of vehicles and represent significant savings in fuel usage and CO2 production.

One of the areas in which vehicle tracking can improve efficiency is by alerting the driver to behaviour which contributes to increased fuel usage and therefore increased CO2 production. Providing audio and visual feedback to the driver through small in-cab devices which monitor behaviour such as speeding, harsh acceleration and idling, all of which contribute to fuel wastage.

By correcting this behaviour, drivers can reduce the amount of fuel they use and therefore the amount of CO2 which is produced by their vehicle. These reduced levels not only improves the environmental impact of the vehicle but can save the company a significant amount of money.

In addition to improving driver behaviour, vehicle tracking systems produce telematics data which can be analysed by fleet managers to see the broader impact of the system across a fleet.

One case in which vehicle tracking has been very successful in reducing CO2 was with City West Works, now known as ForHousing, who carry out maintenance work on houses across West Salford in Manchester.

Having installed vehicle tracking across over 100 of the company’s commercial vehicles the saving in CO2 emissions came to 40.6 tonnes and a reduction in fuel costs of just under £17,000.

Being able to save such significant amounts in both fuel and CO2 emissions represents a considerable benefit to the environment as well as the company and its finances. Vehicle tracking also provides an option for companies looking to reduce their environmental impact without the expense of replacing vehicles within their fleet.

Business owners and lawmakers alike will be closely monitoring the ULEZ scheme in London and tracking its impact, with a view to possibly introducing similar systems in other cities across the country. For now, however, with an ever more concerted effort being made across society, finding ways to become more fuel efficient should be at the forefront of business managers minds.

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Sequans Communications and Asiatelco, Shanghai-based maker of wireless devices for carriers worldwide, announced that four new IoT trackers based on Sequans and Asiatelco technology are launching on LTE-M networks in the USA, with other regions to follow.

The announcement comes one year after Sequans and Asiatelco announced their collaboration to bring LTE for IoT devices to market based on Sequans’ dual-mode LTE-M/NB-IoT Platform, Monarch. The trackers are built using Asiatelco modules with Sequans’ Monarch inside, and were designed for various uses, including asset tracking and vehicle tracking for insurance and buy-here-pay-here applications. The new trackers will be on display at CES 2019.

“Our collaboration with Asiatelco has been very fruitful, and we are pleased to see these first four IoT trackers now going live,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO.

“Some of the new trackers are from customers moving to LTE-M from 2G technology, and some are from customers launching LTE-M trackers for the first time. All of the devices can also support NB-IoT, thanks to the dual-mode operation of Monarch.”

“The new devices are the first four of several we expect to see launching this year based on the Asiatelco/Sequans collaboration.”

“Sequans’ Monarch technology is proven in the field and certified by operators all over the world,” said Jason Ding, Asiatelco CEO. “The global compatibility of Monarch, along with its sophisticated software tools, streamlined our design process and enabled us to replicate it easily for new regions and markets. The Monarch family of products, including Monarch SiP and Monarch N, all based on the same core architecture and the same software, allowed us to design new products and derivatives in a very short amount of time.”

The trackers are building using Asiatelco’s LM91-MV module, which was designed to support LTE bands 4 and 13 in the USA, and Sequans’ GM01Q module, built by Asiatelco and designed to support global LTE bands. The modules, both powered by Sequans’ Monarch platform, are ultra-small LGA modules delivering LTE-M 3GPP Release 13 connectivity and operating with a single LTE antenna.

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Earlier this month, Actility has announced the availability of a vehicle tracking solution for the US market.

Combining Abeeway Master Tracker hardware with Actility’s ThingPark IoT software platform and Cisco LPWAN gateways, the solution was demonstrated at Cisco Live in Las Vegas. Using an app on their smartphone or public screen to determine the arrival time of the next shuttle bus between their hotel and the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre, any of the almost 30,000 visitors to the event could avoid queuing in the Nevada heat for their ride.

“Tracking buses driving in unpredictable traffic to avoid waiting in line is a really simple, basic application of the power of our LPWA geolocation solution,” explains Actility CEO Mike Mulica, “and it demonstrates very clearly how easy it is to deploy that solution in the real world and deliver benefits to customers immediately. Of course, it’s only the tip of the iceberg.”

“We believe that geolocation is probably the killer app for the IoT globally. The US has been lagging behind the rest of the world in deploying LPWAN solutions, and we can see the American market is now beginning to accelerate rapidly, and we’re ready for that.”

“The same solution that’s tracking buses around the Strip is ready to transform other industries like vehicle fleet management or logistics. For example, we can find one specific car amongst the thousands in a leasing company’s parking lot, or track refrigeration units and vehicle chassis nationwide for a containerised cold-chain distribution company.”

“Cisco is constantly looking at consuming new technologies – Cisco on Cisco– as a way to optimize the services we offer to internal users, partners and customers,” says Cisco Distinguished Engineer Patrick Grossetête.
“For the first time, a global LoRaWAN service was deployed at Cisco Live for Cisco and partners running demonstrations but also to pilot new services that may improve the 28000 participants’ user experience. For example, deployment of outdoor LoRaWAN gateways and trackers in shuttle buses, allowed real time monitoring to optimise the wait time in the Las Vegas hot weather. Such successful demonstrations raised the customers LoRaWAN awareness and led to many discussions on how applying asset-tracking to customers’ environment could improve their business.”

Abeeway Master Trackers, operating on the 915 Mhz ISM band frequency required for the US market were installed in many of the 150 shuttle buses that circulate in the area of the southern Strip in Las Vegas, carrying attendees from their hotels and the airport to the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre. Although the distance is only a few miles, traffic congestion and multiple stops make the arrival of the shuttles at any stop unpredictable, and the round trip can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. Using the tracking application and mapping software, travellers could see the location and progress of each of the shuttles on its journey.

Actility is a Cisco Preferred Solution provider, and Cisco installed an LPWA network to cover the Cisco Live event and support a number of applications, of which shuttle bus tracking was only one. To provide outdoor coverage for the entire southern Strip area from Las Vegas Airport to the Caesar’s Palace Hotel, only three gateways were required, installed at the Mandalay Bay, Cosmopolitan and MGM Grand hotels.

Demonstrating the flexibility of LPWA geolocation, the trackers were programmed to send location data every minute when the vehicle was moving, but only once an hour if the bus was stationary and parked. The Abeeway Master Tracker is a self-contained industrial product with an internal battery giving a life in the field of up to several years, so tracking is not dependent on power from the vehicle being available. The tracker also uses Actility’s innovative “Low-Power GPS” technology specifically optimized for LoRaWAN, which allows fewer satellites to be used for a fix and reduces the GPS lock time to a few seconds. The power required for both signal acquisition and processing is reduced: this combination results in a remarkable increase in battery life, by an order of magnitude versus existing GPS location technology. Using this low-power GPS the shuttle bus trackers were able to achieve an overall location accuracy of around 2m throughout the 5-day duration of the trial deployment.

“We’re delighted to be working with Cisco in demonstrating the power of geolocation,” concludes Actility CEO Mike Mulica, “and we’re convinced this very successful trial is just the first step in an accelerating journey together to deploy solutions that will rapidly trigger the digital transformation of logistics, supply chain management and transportations services throughout the US.”

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Cybercriminals are not limited to hackers on the web. Businesses lose more than US $55bn a year due to interruptions in the supply chain according to a report from BSI.* One of the biggest causes of this loss in revenue is cargo theft and criminals are becoming increasingly savvy at detecting and disabling tracking devices used to prevent this type of crime. New technology available to criminals makes these “strategic” thefts more difficult to prevent.

PodsystemM2M, the global expert in IoT connectivity and innovation and Anytrek, a designer and manufacturer of GPS tracking systems for the trucking and logistics market have today announced an agreement to include IoT SIM cards in covert tracking devices specifically designed to reduce cargo theft in trailers and heavy trucks.

The TrackLight GPS Tracker is disguised as a standard truck 4” tail light. Inside the lamp case is a powerful GPS tracking module connected via a 3G modem, ensuring location updates are received reliably and accurately. Fully configurable, TrackLight is connected to the trailer or truck using the standard PL-3 plug; and the built-in Lithium Ion battery provides up to 3 months of location reporting with automatic notifications of changed conditions. Even with all this technology, the TrackLight uses less than half the power of a normal incandescent tail light. TrackLight is the ultimate covert trailer tracker and a short time ago was instrumental in the detection, arrest and recovery of a quarter of a million dollars worth of cargo, plus truck and trailer.

The IoT SIM cards developed by PodsystemM2M ensure uninterrupted transfer of data from the sensors to the central processing point. This mission critical connectivity is made possible by the integral application which allows the SIM card to swap between IMSIs (network profiles) automatically, should the card lose its signal due to a technical difficulty on one of the networks. Avoiding any failure in the connectivity of the device ensures maximum coverage and constant data flow to the central management interface.

Reliable connectivity was paramount to Anytrek’s selection of provider:
“Podsystem’s innovative solution was one of the main reasons we chose to work with them and why we will continue to do so”, comments Mario Veronese, Marketing Director at Anytrek Corp in California, “their system just works.”

Sam Colley, CEO of Podsystem Inc. added:

“As criminal groups become more sophisticated Anytrek is keeping one step ahead by developing covert technology to protect valuable cargos. The key to ensuring that cargos are safe and can be located at all times is in the mission critical connectivity solution we provide through our IoT SIM cards.”

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The new Yamaha TMAX will include as standard My TMAX Connect to remotely access features on the scooter. Protected from theft by Vodafone’s stolen vehicle tracking and recovery service.

Vodafone will be providing the embedded telematics system for the new Yamaha TMAX SX and TMAX DX models – the company’s first connected scooters.

The TMAX SX and DX will include as standard My TMAX Connect, a remote access service available through the dedicated mobile application that allows the rider to locate the bike, receive an alert when the bike battery is low or activate the horn and blinker.

The TMAX SX and TMAX DX will also be protected from theft through Vodafone’s stolen vehicle tracking and recovery service, which uses a network of secure operating centres that manage alerts 24/7 and liaise with police authorities for the recovery of stolen vehicles across Europe.

Vodafone Internet of Things Director, Ivo Rook, said:

“By creating this capability for the new Yamaha scooter, we have opened up a new range of services that the company will be able to offer its customers. The value that comes from being able to connect more and more things is being recognised by consumers and businesses alike and it is changing the world around us.”

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Flexible data connectivity solution adds resilience to global tracking application.

PodsystemM2M, the expert in connectivity for the M2M and Internet of Things (IoT) industries and UK-based Rewire Security have signed a deal to incorporate global, multi-network SIM cards from PodsystemM2M into Rewire tracking devices, which include some of the smallest trackers in the world.

The Rewire 102 Magnetic Nano tracker is about the size of a matchbox and weighs just 40g including battery. Designed for a multitude of applications such as personal tracking, asset tracking and vehicle tracking just to name a few, it is small enough to be carried by a child or stuck to a bicycle without being noticed and yet it is powerful enough to send updates as often as every 10 seconds.

In addition to this tiny device, Rewire offers a range of tracking devices for every purpose, including rugged devices for covert use, hard-wired trackers for vehicle security and fleet management systems that can provide driver identification and driver behaviour monitoring using a 3D accelerometer.

The use of PodsystemM2M’s data connectivity solution adds an extra layer of reliability to the range of tracking devices supplied by Rewire Security. The SIM cards connect to multiple networks in each country according to the best signal available on device start-up. Thereafter they swap networks if signal is lost as devices move around. The use of multiple independent networks on the same SIM means that connectivity can be backed up and data re-routed through a completely separate infrastructure in the case of technical issues on the network.

Bilen Saribardak, founder and director of Rewire Security explained:
“Reliable network coverage was fundamental to why we chose Podsystem over other M2M connectivity providers. The ability to tailor the connectivity requirements and data plans to suit our customers’ requirements was also key. The online platform with SMS gateway and complete SIM management capability means we can offer one of the UK’s most extensive range of GPS trackers that continue to evolve as technology develops without the need for time consuming and costly device replacements or manual upgrades.”

Charles Towers-Clark, Managing Director of Podsystem Group explained:

“Our IoT connectivity solution has been designed to ensure extra resilience especially for remote, roaming and mission critical applications. This ensures that Rewire Security’s tracking devices which are in constant motion or roaming across borders remain connected, even in remote areas.

“The combination of PodsystemM2M’s multi-network SIM cards with additional back-up and Rewire’s extensive range of devices provides a reliable, flexible solution for consumers and businesses alike.”

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StarLink eConnect improves stolen vehicle recovery rates with unique jamming mitigation technique and location networking capabilities.

ERM Advanced Telematics, a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of vehicle tracking and security devices, announced today that the company has introduced to the market its StarLink eConnect device, an innovative vehicle tracking device with unique jamming mitigation and location networking capabilities.

Today, many car thieves no longer rely on forcefully removing vehicle tracking devices during the act of stealing a vehicle and have learned to bypass the location tracking capacities of standard vehicle tracking devices with readily-available and inexpensive jamming devices that interfere with the GPS/GSM radio frequency signals transmitted by vehicle tracking devices.

StarLink eConnect enables a unique anti-theft solution that counters these recent tactics commonly used by car thieves. StarLink eConnect is based on ERM’s powerful vehicle tracking device family and includes an add-on patented technology for jamming mitigation and location networking. These jamming mitigation capabilities are able to identify when the location signal of the vehicle tracking device is being interfered with by a jamming device.

If and when a StarLink eConnect device identifies that its location signal is being interfered with, the device begins to transmit alerts along with location and time stamp information over a dedicated open frequency. These alerts are then rebroadcasted by other StarLink eConnect devices installed on additional vehicles in the vicinity. These alerts are trackable in real-time and provide a Stolen Vehicle Recovery service provider an improved indication of the location of a stolen vehicle.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that in the United States the total value of motor vehicle thefts exceed $4.5b in 2014, while only just over half of the locally stolen vehicles were recovered.

ERM has already successfully deployed pilot implementations of StarLink eConnect at a number of Stolen Vehicle Recovery service provider customers in South America and Israel.

CEO of Comsatel in Peru, said:

“We have been working with ERM for many years and the StarLink eConnect device helps us stay one step ahead of car thieves, who in our part of the world know how to use technology to improve their criminal activities.”

“We have initially installed StarLink eConnect devices on a cross-section of the customer vehicles we serve and in a very short time period have been able to improve the percentage of stolen vehicles we are able to recover.”

In order to extend the coverage range, individual StarLink eConnect devices can be installed in public locations, such as major intersections in areas where car thefts are common or on dedicated patrol vehicles, to further improve tracking and stolen vehicle recovery rates.

“We are proud to introduce StarLink eConnect for the value it provides to our partners and the vehicle owners they serve,” stated Meir Hayman, founder and CEO of ERM Advanced Telematics. “StarLink eConnect adds an important new dimension to our partners’ businesses and helps them better fulfill their missions.”

ERM is currently offering free trials of its StarLink eConnect solution to qualified Stolen Vehicle Recovery and similar Fleet Management service providers.

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AirPrime® HL Series provides Maestro with LTE Cat-1 cellular connectivity for track-and-trace devices that are deployed in harsh mobile environments.

Sierra Wireless today announced that Maestro Wireless Solutions Limited, a leading provider of tracking devices for IoT applications globally, has announced its first LTE Cat-1 tracker based on the AirPrime HL Series from Sierra Wireless. Maestro’s newest tracker, the ruggedized MT-44, provides fleet and asset tracking capabilities in harsh mobile environments using the LTE Cat-1 module with maximum data rates of 10 Mbps downlink and 5 Mbps uplink.

Maestro’s MT-44 LTE cat.1 tracker

“The HL Series provides us with a single footprint for 2G and 3G global coverage and the LTE Cat-1 module is utilizing the same compact design in our newest tracker.”

“Today, we are seeing strong interest in our LTE Cat-1 embedded modules optimized for lower bandwidth and power requirements,” said Dan Schieler, Senior Vice President, OEM Solutions for Sierra Wireless. “We are pleased to have Maestro deploying our latest LTE technology in their tracking devices. The HL Series Cat-1 module provides the next step in the evolution for our customers, as service providers are continuing to transition their networks to LTE technology.”

The HL Series uses the CF3 form factor from Sierra Wireless that is footprint-compatible across product lines and network technologies, and is fully interchangeable with future versions of the modules including LTE-M variants when they become available.

LTE-M is a Low-Power Wide Area (LPWA) technology that will provide a highly efficient cellular option with lower radio-frequency complexity, significantly reduced power consumption (up to 10 years of service on a single AA battery), better in-building signal penetration, and lower costs. Sierra Wireless is an active contributor to the LTE-M standard definition process within the 3GPP and has committed to launching compatible modules timed with network deployments, expected to begin in 2017.

The LTE Cat-1 modules from Sierra Wireless will be commercially available in January 2016 on the HL Series.

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O2 partners with Geotab to create O2 Track and Go and O2 Smart Tracking to provide after-market telematics solutions.

Geotab today announced that it has launched its OBD fleet management solution with O2 in the UK. O2 is adding two new GPS fleet management and vehicle tracking solutions to their Fleet Telematics portfolio based on Geotab’s solution: the O2 Track and Go and O2 Smart Tracking, which will help companies reduce operational costs, enable real time remote vehicle monitoring and monitor driver behaviour.

The solutions, which include Geotab’s plug-and-play device, offer real time fleet management and the ability to develop a number of alerts, notifications and review vehicle trip and activity reports. Advanced features also include on-board diagnostics through engine indicators to provide feedback, such as engine failures, or an in-depth engine fault code diagnosis; detect accidents and retrace potential cause of the accident; and allow add-ons such as a navigational device, NFC driver ID key, sensors and more.

“Telematics is now a must-have for all organisations looking for the most accurate data about their business vehicles. O2 Track and Go and O2 Smart Tracking can help fleet decision makers achieve significant operating efficiencies,” said David Taylor, Managing Director of Machine to Machine for O2 in the UK. “Through our partnership with Geotab we’re looking forward to expanding our existing relationships with fleets, leasing and rental companies to embrace fleet management.”

CEO Neil Cawse, Geotab, said:

“Fleet, rental and leasing companies need reliable and secure fleet management solutions that are easy to install, manage and switch out as the fleet is changing rapidly.”

“We are excited and honored to be selected to support O2’s telematics offering in the UK and look forward to help serve O2’s fleet customers with our end-to-end fleet management solution,” Cawse continued.

The technology will serve verticals such as car rental, leasing, courier, beverages and utility fleets to improve their on-road productivity, on-road safety, and ecological efficiency, in addition to optimizing fleet performance to reduce fuel costs. Fleet managers will gain more intelligence across multiple vehicles giving them the data and insights needed to make more informed business decisions in real-time. Furthermore, drivers will have more insight over their individual vehicles.

O2 Track and Go and O2 Smart Tracking use Geotab’s GO7 device and the MyGeotab platform, which can be quickly and easily installed into a vehicle’s on board diagnostics (OBD-II) port, either overtly or covertly. This also means it can be easily removed when a vehicle is de-fleeted and instantly becomes ready to install in a new vehicle. Geotab’s OBD-II devices have been deployed in more than 450,000 vehicles.

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Offering Provides an Economical Vehicle Monitoring, Tracking, and Recovery Solution.

Numerex, a leading provider of interactive machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions enabling the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced the launch of FASTrack PrePaid – a new, low-cost, turnkey offering that combines advanced vehicle tracking, monitoring and recovery, and other desirable features into one, simple-to-use, economical solution.

Using FASTrack PrePaid, fleet managers and dealers can provide vehicle owners with a solution that offers driver-behavior monitoring as well as an economical tracking and recovery solution for their vehicles. The easy-to-deploy offering is built on Numerex’s award-winning, cloud-based platform and is coupled with the Numerex network. The offering is available as a bundled solution with options for 24 or 36 months of prepaid service.

Driver safety and security features enable the ability to monitor vehicle fluid levels, to receive maintenance reminders, and to perform remote door unlocking. Driving behavior patterns including excessive speeding, braking and idle time are also automatically logged and can be used to identify opportunities to improve fuel efficiency and general road safety.

Vehicles can also be effectively monitored with user-defined “geo-fences” that trigger web portal, email, or text message alerts should the vehicles venture beyond pre-set boundaries or routes. In the event of theft, the vehicle starter can be remotely disabled, helping facilitate recovery. A viewable route history also helps monitor, track and trace vehicles as necessary.

Mike Lang, SVP and President of IoT Solutions at Numerex, said:

“FASTrack PrePaid fills an important gap in the market and delivers an affordable, easy-to-use vehicle monitoring, tracking and recovery solution that enhances the security, safety and productivity of drivers and their vehicles.”

“This new offering also provides great opportunities for car dealers to enhance their own accessory revenues when their customers are finalizing the purchase of a vehicle.”

FASTrack PrePaid is compatible with a range of popular vehicle monitoring devices. The application is accessible from smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs.

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According to a new research report by Berg Insight, shipments of OEM embedded telematics systems worldwide are forecasted to grow from 8.4 million units in 2013 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.6 percent to reach 54.5 million units in 2020.

Moreover, Berg Insight forecasts that the number of cars sold worldwide equipped with head-units featuring handset-based telematics capabilities will grow from 7.0 million in 2013 to 68.5 million in 2020. Telematics is a broad term that may be applied to a wide range of connected services in the automotive industry. Berg Insight’s definition of a car telematics system is an automatic system designed for passenger cars that incorporates some form of cellular communication. Automotive manufacturers can choose between several connectivity options when creating connected car services, which are not mutually exclusive. The main options today are embedded telematics devices, tethered handsets and integrated smartphones. Car manufacturers often use a combination of these options to support different customer needs and keep pace with the rapid development of mobile technology.

Connected car services are gaining momentum globally after many years of development and gradual rollout. The drivers behind adoption of telematics systems among car manufacturers are both commercial and regulatory. Safety regulations that aim to make automatic emergency calls with vehicle location mandatory in all new cars are for instance being adopted in the EU and Russia with the eCall and ERA-GLONASS initiatives respectively. In other markets such as North America and Japan, commercial services have driven adoption of OEM telematics services that have evolved from being a differentiator to a mainstream feature offered by most car brands.

Several categories of connected car services are now offered by leading car manufacturers. Examples include emergency call and roadside assistance, stolen vehicle tracking (SVT), vehicle diagnostics, connected navigation and infotainment, as well as convenience applications. Convenience applications for instance include remote control of vehicle functions such as door lock/unlock and air conditioning, vehicle status and finding the last parking position. Several other applications also exist, for instance usage-based insurance, leasing and rental fleet management, as well as electronic toll collection and road charging. Most telematics services can be supported by any connectivity type, although embedded connectivity is the most suitable option for applications including emergency call, SVT and convenience applications. There are many business rationales for car telematics, ranging from monetary savings for the car owner in the case of SVT and usage-based insurance, to product differentiation, improved customer relationship management, potentially lower costs of product recalls and soft value creation for the car OEM.

Berg Insight forecasts that the number of telematics service subscribers using embedded systems will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 38.1 percent from 16.6 million subscribers in 2013 to 158.9 million subscribers in 2020.

André Malm, Senior Analyst, Berg Insight, said:

“A key factor that influences the growth in active subscribers is the length of the free trial period included in the price of new cars.”

He adds that the free period now typically ranges from 6–12 months in the case of Chrysler, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen to 3 years for Hyundai and 10 years for BMW.
“Renewal rates for telematics subscriptions after the free period expires are presently relatively low”. However, car brands are now launching cloud-based telematics services that facilitate customisation of service packages to better meet the needs of individual customers. Several car manufacturers have app stores that enable car owners to download apps directly to the infotainment system of the car.

“New split-billing solutions being introduced by telecom operators also increase flexibility in business models for car manufacturers offering connected car services to their customers”, said Mr Malm. Split-billing can for example enable car manufacturers to bundle services such as eCall, roadside assistance and diagnostics for the lifetime of the car, while high bandwidth applications like infotainment and car hotspot features are billed separately.

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Turkey’s number one mobile applications vendor relies on u-blox for connectivity & positioning.

Arvento Mobile Systems, the market leader in vehicle tracking and fleet management systems in Turkey, has selected Swiss u-blox for global positioning and cellular module technology in its new tracking and onboard-diagnostics device, the imt.24 – OBD Tracker. With complete hardware and software solutions for advanced mobile tracking systems, Arvento has deployed its solutions at over 30 thousand customers in over 400 thousand vehicles in 23 countries.

Arvento General Manager, Özer Hıncal, Turkey, said:
“For our leading mobile tracking solutions we have been using u-blox GPS modules for 9 years now, and have been very satisfied with their features and support. Based on this successful cooperation, we began using u-blox GSM/GPRS modules over the past 2 years with excellent results.”

“We are pleased to continue our cooperation with u-blox for our new product, the imt.24- OBD Tracker.”

With embedded u-blox cellular and GPS modules, the easy-to-install, “plug and play” unit is designed for real-time vehicle diagnostics and tracking.  It provides GPS positioning based on a variety of real-time sensor inputs: time, speed, distance, motion, pause, idling, geo-fence monitoring, acceleration, route violation, fuel consumption, engine rpm, alarms and reports.

Thanks to its “Black Box” feature and special data recording algorithm, it also enables detailed accident analysis and re-construction used for insurance purposes.

Arvento is one of the leading telematics companies in the world, designing, manufacturing and marketing complete software and hardware packages used in numerous fleet telematics, industrial monitoring, person and asset tracking applications. All Arvento’s devices have international key certificates, and may be deployed in markets around the world.

In addition to hardware, Arvento provides comprehensive web-based enterprise software solutions for desktop, smartphones and tablets with 9-language option.

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Vehicle telematics device maker uses u-blox GPS, UMTS & CDMA modules for global coverage.

Swiss-founded u-blox, a global leader in wireless and positioning modules and integrated circuits for the industrial, automotive and consumer markets, has won a project for multi-standard vehicle tracking devices developed by ATrack, a Taipei-based vendor of telematics devices used for vehicle monitoring around the world. The design-in was facilitated through on-site support provided by u-blox’ Taiwan office also based in Taipei.

ATrack has integrated a u-blox GPS receiver module, plus UMTS/HSPA & CDMA cellular modules in its AK7 vehicle tracking unit. The compact device can track and report vehicle location, speed, driver behavior, engine and fuel status, as well as provide alarms such as when a vehicle has left a pre-defined geographic area. Compatibility with global cellular networks is supported thanks to u-blox’ comprehensive modem technology. The AK7 is ideal for usage-based insurance, rental car tracking, fleet-management, and teenage-driver monitoring.

“At ATrack, we design our vehicle tracking devices for worldwide markets. Because global positioning and multi-standard cellular communications are crucial elements for our products to serve these markets, we require a reliable vendor who is an expert in both technologies and their seamless interoperation. They must also have a proven track record of high quality, automotive-grade components delivered on-time. We are very pleased to have chosen u-blox,” said Frank Tang, President and CEO at ATrack.

“We are extremely proud to have achieved this triple design win at ATrack for our GPS as well as 3G UMTS and CDMA cellular modem technologies”, said Ming Chiang, Taiwan Country Manager at u-blox

“ATrack is an excellent example of a customer who depends on seamless operation of global position with cellular communications. u-blox has invested hundreds of man-years to perfect this technology so that our customers don’t have to.”

The UMTS (“Universal Mobile Telecommunications System”) 3G cellular standard is the leading global 3G technology provided by 270 operators in 117 countries. CDMA (more precisely, “CDMA2000”) is a popular competing cellular service, provided by over 320 operators and 120 countries.

All u-blox positioning and cellular modules are manufactured in ISO/TS 16949 certified sites. Each module is intensively inspected and tested during production. The modules are fully qualified according to ISO 16750 – Environmental conditions and electrical testing for electrical and electronic equipment for road vehicles to provide high durability and reliability.

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CalAmp’s new vehicle tracking and security devices use GPS and cellular modules from u-blox.

Swiss-based u-blox (SIX:UBXN), a global leader in cellular and positioning modules and integrated circuits, has been chosen by California-based CalAmp (NASDAQ: CAMP) as GPS receiver and cellular modem supplier for their new line of vehicle tracking, anti-theft and insurance telematics devices designed especially for the Brazilian market.

CalAmp develops and markets wireless communications solutions that deliver data, voice and video for critical networked communication applications such as fleet and asset management, stolen vehicle recovery, auto insurance telematics, power distribution, and public safety.

Greg Gower, senior vice president and general manager of CalAmp’s Mobile Resource Management business, said:
“Our strategy at CalAmp is to quickly enter Brazil with rugged, purpose-built, high-performance vehicle telematics units that work out of the box.”

“The Brazilian market is especially challenging due the extreme range of environments: from high rise cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo with poor GPS satellite visibility to remote regions with weak cellular coverage. We also have to deal with sophisticated RF jamming technology employed during vehicle theft. To overcome all these situations, we depend on the industry-leading sensitivity and anti-jamming technologies developed by u-blox.”

According to GSMA, Brazilian government legislation will require stolen-vehicle tracking units in new cars and trucks starting in 2014. Additionally, large-scale adaption of fleet management and vehicle “black-box” recorders to help resolve insurance claims is rapidly increasing market demand in Brazil for robust and sensitive vehicle telematics units able to operate reliably in harsh automotive environments.

“u-blox and CalAmp have enjoyed a long and successful partnership in the US fleet management sector, a collaboration that has become an excellent foundation for building a strong business in Brazil,” said Nikolaos Papadopoulos, president of u-blox America.

“We are pleased that CalAmp can take full advantage of our leading GPS, cellular and anti-jamming technologies, as well as our proven capabilities as a high-quality world-class component supplier.”

For more information about CalAmp’s solutions for vehicle telematics, visit www.calamp.com
For more information about u-blox positioning and wireless modem components, visit www.u-blox.com

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Offering Unique Turnkey Tracking Services for Vehicles, Containers and Temperature-Sensitive Cargo.

Telespree Communications, a leading enabler of cloud-based wireless data services, announced the introduction of its turnkey solutions for select M2M verticals.

Called Dataspree Control Solutions, the offerings are easy to use and include the devices, the connectivity, the management systems and the applications. The solutions have everything needed to track valuable goods, vehicles or assets—all for one monthly service fee.

Analyst Godfrey Chua, who directs Infonetics Research’s M2M and Connected World program affirms:

“We forecast global revenue from M2M services to more than double between 2012 and 2017, from just under $15 billion to $31 billion.”

“While most pursue scale-based M2M opportunities from large multinational corporations, SMBs are a key underserved segment holding tremendous upside. Tapping into it will require customer education and specialized, cost-competitive solutions tuned to the needs of SMBs.”

The first three solutions offered focus on trailer/container tracking, vehicle tracking, and temperature-sensitive cargo tracking. Many small to medium businesses will be able to leverage these solutions—trailer leasing operators, farms, laboratories, service companies with vans or company cars, even families with multiple vehicles—and the solutions are flexible, affordable and scalable over time as operational needs expand. Telespree also has plans to launch additional turnkey solutions for new verticals and support other market segments.

“There are companies across many industries that would benefit from M2M services, but are not adopting the technology because of cost or complexity,” says Lona Dallessandro, Telespree’s VP for Business Development.

“We believe that Telespree has found a way to eliminate those barriers and attract new customers to the marketplace.”

“We are looking forward to serving a wide variety of customers with our packaged products as well as purpose-built solutions.”

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Telenor Connexion has been selected as communications partner for Trafficmaster’s global rollout of its stolen vehicle tracking solution.

Trafficmaster is a fast-growing UK-based telematics company providing integrated, intelligent driving services that reduce costs, improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. With customers such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover and BMW the company is now looking to further expand its services globally.

As part of a global development programme Trafficmaster’s Stolen Vehicle Tracking business required an advanced global roaming solution for data communications and turned to Telenor Connexion to deliver a solution that could match these expectations.

“Telenor Connexion was selected based on its ability to provide a global data tariff and service, with a proven technical infrastructure supported by a professional pre-sales team that qualified the requirements of the business and offered a solution that was easily integrated into the existing telecoms platform”.

John Lawrence, Managing Director of Trafficmaster’s Stolen Vehicle Tracking business, says:

“We are now in an excellent position to develop a worldwide Stolen Vehicle Tracking network, supported by a proven communications partner.”

“The connected business solution we have provided will allow Trafficmaster to have real time control of their device connectivity portfolio both now and in the future as they expand their global markets”, says Andrea Sroczynski, Head of Global Automotive Sales at Telenor Connexion.

Telenor Connexion designed and built a resilient global solution for Trafficmaster that enables international expansion via a single service portal for the customer to confidently deploy their tracking and recovery services to any required territory.

The global reach is achieved by utilising a customised M2M SIM coupled with customisable roaming profiles and price plans which can be used to geo-fence the solution, eliminate bill shock and control costs.

“Trafficmaster is renowned for their high-tech focus. We are proud to be part of their vehicle tracking system already approved by over 20 major car manufacturers throughout the world”, says Dean Woods, Head of Region UK & Ireland.

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