GreenRoad announced the smartphone-based driver performance solution for fleets. Encompassing several key technological and engineering breakthroughs, GreenRoad Smartphone Edition, code named “Asimov”, is available now in beta for Android devices.
Today, business fleets that are often comprised of short-term leased vehicles rarely invest in professionally installed telematics equipment with a long-term payback schedule. Because it is smartphone-based, GreenRoad Smartphone Edition is expected to appeal to a broad market including business and delivery fleets, with rapid vehicle turnover, short-term leases and rotating fleet equipment.
GreenRoad Smartphone Edition uses smartphone native functionality, including GPS and built-in accelerometers, to eliminate the need for a professionally installed telematics device in the vehicle. Drivers use the service by downloading the Asimov app, dropping the smartphone into the vehicle mount and beginning their trip.
Gary Bell, Bunzl UK & Ireland environment, health & safety manager, commented, “The visual indicator provides feedback about which manoeuvres could be improved upon and the web portal enables the driver to understand and adapt their driving style. It’s certainly a very interesting development and I envisage this being a useful tool for organisations who wish to reduce their occupational road risk, insurance claims history and carbon footprint.”
The service uses advanced, patented algorithms to detect how well the driver is driving. Whenever a risky or fuel-inefficient manoeuvre occurs, GreenRoad Smartphone Edition gives the driver immediate audio and visual feedback directly from the smartphone.
GreenRoad Smartphone Edition also includes a distracted driving prevention feature that can be configured to automatically disable physical use of the smartphone while the vehicle is moving. Potential integration with other fleet applications that are also smartphone-based, such as inventory management, navigation and fleet management is another benefit.
“With GPS capability and accelerometer functionality, plus the power and flexibility of a sophisticated computer, the smartphone is poised to become an important platform for telematics applications,” said Jim Heeger, chief executive of GreenRoad.
GreenRoad Smartphone Edition, like previous GreenRoad products, measures risky or inefficient driving events across five parameters: acceleration, braking, cornering, speeding and lane handling.
