Revealed: Telematics trends for 2022 and beyond

The telematics industry has grown significantly in the past years. What will 2022 hold for this dynamic industry?

It is estimated that by 2023, 50% of product-centric businesses will have invested in real-time transportation visibility platforms. In addition, vehicle manufacturers are equipping their vehicles with advanced connectivity and user technology services thanks to the continuous invention of new digital technologies.

The use of application programming interfaces and software development kits has increased the use of telematics through integration with other business systems, namely: maintenance, route planning, safety compliance, and risk management.

Let us discuss the top telematics trends that will take centre stage in 2022.

REMOTE FLEET MANAGEMENT

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it has become difficult to rely on a static monitoring system within fast-paced fleet operations that have to meet increased demands. This is where remote fleet management comes into play. Fleet managers are seeking new and innovative ways to monitor the productivity of their fleets and manage tasks from a distance.

Today, more businesses rely on remote monitoring technology to keep abreast of various activities. The advancement of telematics software allows fleet managers to communicate in real-time with drivers and manage their fleets from a computer, or via an app on their phones. This makes it easier to check on the status of vehicles, locate assets, and receive alerts about unexpected events in real-time, no matter where a manager or supervisor might be situated.

This software’s accessibility, reliability, and convenience will further drive the remote working culture in 2022.

EVOLUTION OF THE 5G NETWORK

One of the top trends for this year will be 5G fleet management. In comparison to 4G, 5G provides faster network speeds, increased capacity, and extremely low latency.

These features will translate into smoother Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, enhanced predictive analytics, and more innovative vehicle tracking and data collection on a fleet management level. In addition, 5G is the catalyst for even greater innovations, such as augmented reality fleet applications and advanced charging technology for Electric Vehicles (EVs).

The demand for transparent data and remote fleet management is inextricably linked to the need for a more robust network. Therefore, a 5G-centric approach would be a good start for businesses looking to fulfil increased expectations for real-time information updates and provide a seamless fleet management experience.

OPTIMISED SAFETY

In any fleet operation, safety is one of the critical points of concern. Different, more advanced techniques are now being introduced to prevent accidents and vehicle theft. Driver behaviour and identification, alarm systems, and geofencing, to name a few, are all features that guarantee fleet safety.

Modern monitoring systems provide real-time notifications about different activities, helping fleet managers to receive updates every minute and enabling them to respond quickly to emergencies. With insightful reports, fleet managers can identify and rectify safety deficiencies in their operations.

DEEPER DATA SECURITY

Data is at the core of any fleet operation and fleets hold a significant amount of sensitive data that they need to protect. Thus, increased cybersecurity measures will be another big focus this year, with an integrated database becoming a popular trend in vehicle telematics.

There will also be a shift from tactical management towards strategic management, including upskilling in IT for the adoption of new roles.

MOBILITY-AS-A-SERVICE (MaaS) TO BECOME PROMINENT

The popularity of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is expected to grow, as it allows fleet managers to customise their services and shift away from the traditional approach. MaaS will assist fleet managers in rethinking their fleet management process; by embracing vehicle sharing, they can better use idle vehicles, control budgets, and reduce their carbon footprint.

Additionally, key fleet metrics will also evolve, shifting from vehicle numbers and data to factors such as timing, journey success rates, attendance rates, and annual cost.

STRONGER FOCUS ON TELEMATICS TRACKING

Even though tracking has always been an integral part of telematics, fleet managers are now using GPS technology to assess real-time diagnostic levels. It allows them to track their driver’s location via a customisable dashboard, know the status of their vehicles, and ensure drivers follow safety practices.

Fleet management software will improve in 2022 with features such as the integration of voice capabilities, robust data analytics and enhanced Artificial Intelligence (AI). Furthermore, in-cab video has emerged as one of the most popular new fleet management solutions.

THE RISE OF THE INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT)

One of the most popular trends in telematics is the Internet of Things (IoT). It enables the re-engineering of the entire supply chain process by intelligently connecting the physical world (people, and physical devices and sensors) with the digital world (processes, and data devices and sensors) to create a layer called “infostructure”.

Advanced IoT solutions, such as fleet tracking software, allow the efficient management of every aspect of an operation through continuous measurement, collection, and exchange of real-time data. As a result, these solutions provide visibility into every process and transaction within the chain, facilitating the direct and rapid identification and actioning of improvements.

THE FUTURE AHEAD

In 2022, GPS and telematics developments will continue to expand and advance, improving the management and efficiency of businesses that have a fleet of vehicles. However, one of the main challenges will be securing the growing amount of data from internal and external sensors. As a result, there is an increasing need for future telematics solutions that focus on data security, in-vehicle telematics, and GPS tracking systems.

Embracing the latest trends will assist decision-makers to remain competitive and keep track of their vehicles to improve efficiency and driver performance and offer real-time updates to customers. In addition, the future success of any business that uses vehicles in its core operations will rely on continuous development in gathering larger volumes of meaningful information from vehicles and drivers.

As with any technology, there are continuous improvements in systems, hardware, software, and infrastructure, such as satellite systems and the power of 5G. Telematics will evolve in the future to use 5G to provide more accurate information both from a safety and economic perspective, creating an even more meaningful contribution to the world of business.

Source: MiX Telematics. Founded in 1996 by Stefan Joselowitz, MiX Telematics is a leading global provider of fleet and mobile asset management solutions. the company’s products and services provide enterprise fleets, small fleets, and consumers with solutions for safety, efficiency, compliance, and security.