Today's fleet managers operate in a fast-paced world with emerging technologies that continuously challenge them to remain innovative and competitive. To survive and thrive in this dynamic environment, fleet managers must adopt a strategic approach toward adopting new technologies that can help them streamline their operations and reduce costs.
Here are ten emerging technologies you can expect to see in the fleet management industry soon.
1. Fuel management systems
Most fleet managers agree that fuel costs are one of the largest expenses for their organization. As such, monitoring and managing fuel consumption is crucial for better control over cost. Fuel management systems facilitate easy access to all data on vehicle-related spending, including travel, usage and other related information.
With fuel management platforms, fleet managers can reduce these costs while establishing guidelines to reduce consumption. If there’s any instance of rogue drivers misappropriating fuel, the management system will help you know this.
2. Vehicle maintenance tracking system
How can you keep track of your car's maintenance? In the past, you had to physically get it checked by a professional such as a mechanic. With the invention of vehicle maintenance tracking systems, you can effortlessly check all your service records starting from oil changes, fitting tires or even replacing a windshield. The system logs everything that happens to the car, so the professionals don't spend too much time determining the issue.
Additionally, this system is paperless and hence more accurate when it comes to predicting the car's issues.
3. The use of autonomous cars
The use of autonomous cars is one of the key trending IT solutions proposed by many companies. Driver assistance, such as automatic braking and parking functions, are becoming more common in conventional automobiles. Although self-driving cars still need human assistance at times, they’re bound to become more advanced as they’re backed by sensitive algorithms which work 24/7. Installing vehicle tracking systems in autonomous cars allows one to observe their performance in real-time without needing to check each car physically.
4. AI dash cams
The use of AI dashcams is on the rise. Besides its usefulness in driving, it also records everything happening in the event of accidents or eventualities. With the increasing traffic violations and road accidents, installing a dashcam is necessary for the modern tech era. While some people use dash cams to record their fun activities in the car, these cameras are instrumental in enhancing safety. In short, dashcams are a more sustainable fleet management tool than getting angry at the perpetrators after an accident.
5. Remote fleet management systems
Fleet management can be efficiently handled with the help of computerised control systems. In light of the many companies and common operations managed by huge fleets, vehicle tracking has become crucial to enable managers to monitor cars and optimise their performance. If you’re unaware of how to make the integration, you can always talk to a fleet management company to help you out. They are experienced in the field and will ensure that your fleet is well optimized. With the remote management systems, you can track the car's speed, location, diagnostics and other typical vehicle statistics that you need to know.
6. Telematics
Telematics is the combination of telecommunications and data analytics. It's an umbrella term for all the systems, services, software and devices that use telecommunication networks to exchange data for monitoring or to manage a remote location. The smart use of telematics integrated with cloud technology has also increased the level of safety in automobiles. Using telematics, drivers can be alarmed if they wander off their programmed routes. They will also be automatically informed if their cars are moved or burglarized. These options certainly add extra levels of protection for both the auto owners and pedestrians near them.
7. Use of wearable devices
The use of wearable devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers and GPS chips has already become a viable option in the health and audio sectors. The same is now being replicated in fleet management, where your device can alert you in case of an issue with your driving or car. By recording the hours a driver has been on the road, the manager can authorize them to take some rest to avoid fatigue. Even better, some automotive safety wearables have been fitted with a simple HUD (heads-up display) to give drivers better navigation without diverting their attention from the road.
8. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Many businesses are experimenting with AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality). One promising application would be an integrated in-car rear view mirror using VR. The device will give a driver an angle view of everything directly behind them. This way, they can always keep an eye on what is going behind without getting distracted from the road ahead.
9. The use of electric cars
Electric vehicles are more efficient than conventional gasoline cars. The advantages they bring have attracted almost every country to set several initiatives to promote their use. From Tesla, BMW, Toyota to Porsche, car companies across the world have started promoting electric vehicles or even adding them to the line-ups of their conventional fuel-powered cars. This is a solution one can't simply avoid in the future, and with their range capabilities steadily increasing, you don't have to worry about your next charge.
10. Sharing mobility decisions
The sharing economy is continuing to replace the traditional car industry this century. Today, a growing number of commuters use shared mobility as an alternative to owning their cars – especially through apps such as Uber. Looking to the future, the shape of the automobile era will be greatly determined by the availability of vehicles – this will all come down to effective and sustainable fleet management.
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