Having unveiled its next generation onboard computing system last year, Qualcomm Enterprise Services has now released a full menu of advanced applications for its OmniVision platform, including critical events monitors, navigation services, vehicle maintenance management tools, driver logs, and even free driver email. The company has also added a terrestrial-based wireless communications option for the system, which was initially released with only satellite-based service.

The Critical Event Reporting application draws data from a vehicle’s J1939 data bus, a high-speed vehicle network that provides extensive information about both driver and vehicle behavior and performance. Recording and storing information generated five minutes before and five minutes after an identified “critical event,” the new application is intelligent enough to analyze the situation and send an immediate alert to fleet managers if necessary, according to Norm Ellis, vp and gm of transportation and logistics.

The in-cab navigation application is an OmniVision version of Maptuit’s NaviGo, a hybrid system that combines onboard and server-based mapping information and routing. The system draws on more than 80,000 installed units to keep its roadway data up-to-date as it offers turn-by-turn directions. It also integrates with OmniVision’s hours-of-service log application, automatically displaying a driver’s available hours on the NaviGo maps.

As part of an effort to improve usefulness for drivers as well as fleet managers, OmniVision will now also provide free email service over its wireless network for a driver’s personal use. Drivers will be able to send emails in real-time to an unlimited number of addresses, while incoming email will be initially limited to five addresses to eliminate the possibility of spam, Ellis says.

Designed specifically for truck applications, the OmniVision platform can automatically determine when to offer spoken directions or read messages, turning them down or suspending them at the push of a single button. The intention, Ellis says, was to avoid “a distractible interface” that could compromise safety.

New applications intended for fleet managers include an advanced vehicle maintenance option that not only analyzes engine fault codes, but will also monitor diesel particulate filters (DPFs) for service alerts. Combined with other data recorded from the J1939 data bus, maintenance and operations information will also allow fleets to monitor driver performance on an individual basis as needed.

The platform now also supports delivery of audio files, allowing fleets to send messages over the air to a specific driver, group of drivers or the entire fleet. Similarly, OmniVision lets fleets create individual profiles for drivers and trucks that automatically load the desired applications to the onboard unit when a driver logs on.