What drivers once saw as an invasion of privacy is becoming more commonplace in the trucking industry. Dash cameras prove their worth each time a collision occurs, and a trucker is exonerated because the camera provides proof.
Here’s a short round-up of some dash cameras available for trucking fleets today.
Azuga
Azuga’s SafetyCam AI is an AI-based “smart detection” dual-facing camera. Video footage is captured and processed using artificial intelligence. “The AI neural learning network analyzes each driver-facing video to look for possible distraction events and provides tags to help fleets identify underlying causes of risky events,” according to Azuga. Common behaviors detected include eating and drinking, cell phone use, fatigue, and smoking.
Event footage is automatically uploaded to the cloud for fleet managers to view, and the rest is placed on an SD card, saving them from sifting through hours of footage. Fleets can also choose Azuga’s premium service, which includes using Azuga’s risk analyst team, which ranks and prioritizes risky behaviors for driver coaching.
“We want to protect drivers who are on the road when conditions can be less than ideal. We’re excited to offer a solution that helps drivers reach their destinations safely and helps fleet operators reduce costs,” Ananth Rani, Azuga co-founder, said in a press release.
See also: SureCam secures $36M for AI fleet safety technology
Lytx
Lytx’s DriveCam is powered by machine vision and AI to categorize events accurately. Lytx offers multiple features with its DriveCam. It can be used for real-time in-cab alerts, provide live streams back to base, and automatically identify which drivers are driving the vehicle with the Lytx Badge, a driver ID feature offered through the Lytx system. DriveCam uses high-lumen infrared LEDs, providing a clear view of footage during nighttime driving. It can integrate with telematics systems to capture speed, fuel, and other vehicle data.
In addition to video footage, machine vision uses sensors to get a broad view of the driver’s behaviors. These inputs can be used to coach the driver.
“Lytx’s MV+AI (machine vision and artificial intelligence) technology helps fleets by providing an expanded view of risk,” the company stated in a blog. “The insights from MV+AI can reveal if a driver needs to work on reducing a certain behavior or if certain risky behaviors are appearing among all drivers. If this is the case, an organization-wide initiative to improve safety may need to be implemented.”
Motive
Motive’s AI Dashcam uses artificial intelligence to recognize poor driving behaviors, such as following too closely, cell phone use, hard braking, speeding, rolling stops, and driver fatigue/distraction. If these behaviors are detected, drivers receive real-time in-cab alerts, and the video is automatically uploaded to the fleet management system. The camera system integrates with the Motive Vehicle Gateway ELD to correlate video footage with engine data and telematics information.
The Motive AI Omnicam, with cellular connectivity, takes it a step further, offering a 360-degree view of the vehicle with side, rear, passenger, and cargo monitoring. This enables real-time detection of even more risky behaviors, including unsafe lane changes, incorrect cargo loading, and improper safety gear usage.
“Since we launched the AI dashcam, we have well over a quarter-million devices installed in the field at this point,” a spokesperson for Motive told FleetOwner. “Customers who used the solution have seen up to an 80% reduction in accidents, 30% reduction in accident-related costs, and a 21% reduction in insurance costs.”
See also: How computer vision transforms fleet safety
Netradyne
Netradyne’s Driver•i camera system uses AI to analyze “100% of the driving day,” according to Netradyne. Its advanced object detection allows it to identify signs, signals, pedestrians, and other objects, and then alert drivers, if necessary. It can also identify a driver’s risky behaviors and exemplary behaviors.
It gives drivers and fleet managers nearly a 360-degree view of the tractor-trailer inside and around the vehicle. It features live, in-cab coaching and real-time streaming back to base. It features “night vision” to view clear footage when operating during the dark, and on-demand video access.
Fleet owners can choose between a Quad View camera system—a forward-facing camera, cab-facing camera, and two side cameras giving drivers a view of their typical blind spots—or a Driver•i dual camera system—a forward-facing camera and a cab-facing camera. Then there’s the Driver•i Hub X, which allows operators and fleets to add four additional cameras, placed anywhere they’re needed, to the Driver•i system.
“Netradyne's ... Driver•i AI-powered fleet camera system is paving the way for the future of safe mobility with automated, AI-powered coaching, risk identification, and exoneration,” the company stated in a release. “Safety managers are in a better position to retain the best drivers with Driver•i.”
See also: Netradyne raises $90M in Series D funding
Samsara
Samsara’s AI Dash Cams use artificial intelligence to detect risky driver behaviors, both in and outside the cab. The camera can detect risks ranging from drowsy driving to lane departures, tailgating, and more. If an event is detected, the system provides in-cab “nudges,” giving the driver an opportunity to correct their behavior before the manager is notified of a safety event.
Its footage is uploaded to the cloud within minutes so fleet managers can view events as quickly as possible.
“Our goal at Samsara is to help fleets prevent accidents, and our AI Dash Cams are built to do just that," Ben Calderon, CTO of hardware and operations at Samsara, told FleetOwner. "They instantly detect risky behaviors like distracted driving or tailgating and alert drivers in real-time so they can course correct right away. Our latest innovation, Drowsiness Detection, uses edge AI to analyze 17-plus fatigue indicators, helping drivers stay alert and preventing potential danger.
"But positive reinforcement is another key element to building a lasting safety culture: Samsara not only makes it easy for fleets to identify risk and automate coaching, but our Platform enables fleet managers to recognize and reward safe driving. At the end of the day, it’s about making roads safer for everyone.”
Teletrac Navman
Teletrac Navman offers multiple camera solutions depending on a fleet’s needs. The brand considers its IQ Camera solution “the perfect entry into video telematics.” The AI-enabled camera provides driver monitoring, real-time feedback, and on-demand video access. It offers real-time in-cab alerts for risks such as distracted driving, lane departure, tailgating, and more.
The brand also offers its Smart Dashcam—Dual. This solution uses AI and sensors to gain the most insight into driver behaviors. It includes a driver app for digitized coaching. The solution also features a built-in driver scorecard system and compound event reporting, which provides additional context for events. Smart Dashcam—Quad is another Teletrac Navman camera solution that offers four high-definition cameras with wide-angle lenses.
Each camera solution is fully integrated into the Teletrac Navman TN360 platform.
"AI-powered video telematics solutions leverage advanced algorithms to monitor different aspects of driver behavior,” Doug Haebig, director of product management, said in a statement. “We are excited to bring these new detection features to the market through the IQ Camera and provide real-time alerts and insights to reduce the likelihood of incidents and promote the well-being of drivers."
Trimble
Trimble offers a complete Video Intelligence solution using the Trimble DashCam. Video Intelligence uses AI and machine learning to improve fleet safety. It includes: an Advanced Driver Safety and Assist system that delivers in-cab alerts; AI-powered driver coaching that also helps score and rank driver performance and organizes coaching events based on the level of risk; Real-time Map View and access to video footage; and driver analytics for managers to view insights such as trending driver risks, safety scores, and more.
The Trimble Video Intelligence solution employs the Trimble DashCam, which uses artificial intelligence to detect risky driving behaviors such as distraction, not wearing a seat belt, cell phone use, and more.
“Through a combination of high-definition forward, side, and rear-facing cameras, Trimble Video Intelligence helps fleets protect themselves—triggering video by company-controlled settings to facilitate driver coaching opportunities and capture high-resolution video in the event of an accident,” Trimble stated in a release.
Verizon Connect
Verizon Connect’s AI Dashcams uses artificial intelligence to detect risky driving behaviors and provide in-cab alerts. Footage is uploaded within minutes for fleet managers to view.
The Dashcams recently received an expansion. The company announced the Extended View Cameras, which expand on the brand’s Integrated Video solutions. These cameras can now include four additional cameras and an in-cab monitor, giving drivers a view of nearly 360 degrees around their truck—and even in cargo areas.
“It really is about providing more and more value to our customers around driving safety with 360-degree views, adding multi-channel cameras, reducing liability, reducing costs, and improving driver performance,” Josh Aroner, Verizon Connect chief marketing officer, told FleetOwner. “We really want to be able to help our drivers drive safer and make sure that they're protected from false claims, as well as their companies.”
