Technology news and briefs for the week of Dec. 18, 2022: 

Geotab, Agero partner on roadside assistance services

Fleet telematics Geotab is now offering roadside assistance services via partnership with Agero, a B2B software provider for manufacturers, insurers and fleets.

Geotab’s roadside add-in, available in the Geotab Marketplace for ProPlus subscribers, gives fleets access to Agero’s curated third-party network of digitally enabled light-, medium- and heavy-duty service providers. It provides services such as towing, locksmith, battery boost, fuel delivery, flat tire change and more.

Agero – by qualifying, monitoring and continuously measuring its providers against key performance metrics – blends data analytics, territory and job optimization, and relationship management to ensure dispatch of the correct provider vehicle with the required equipment to increase vehicle uptime and improve fleet productivity.

The platform keeps drivers informed on the current status of their request, including real-time updates on estimated arrival time, live truck tracking on a map and customizable SMS alerts.

Netradyne’s Driver-i available via Platform Science marketplace

Platform Science is offering a new solution in its marketplace.

The connected vehicle platform has collaborated with fleet safety software provider Netradyne to offer the Driver-I solution, a vision-based fleet safety camera that aims to reinforce good driving behavior.

“By adding Driver-i to our app marketplace of solutions, we’re providing fleets with the ability to integrate a cutting-edge safety camera system and advanced vision features with other solutions in a unified, user-friendly platform while giving drivers a tool to self-coach to drive safer on our highways,” said Joe Jumayao, vice president of business development at Platform Science.

The Driver-i system can assess speed, traffic sign compliance, following distance, aggressive driving, distracted driving and more.

It alerts drivers to risky driving behavior by issuing a corrective alert in real-time, enabling fleets to better mitigate risks and reduce the likelihood of accidents. Because it analyzes 100% of drive time, Driver-i can recognize and reinforce proactive driving behaviors, keeping drivers engaged and aiding fleets in retaining their best drivers.

Transport Pro users can post loads to Trucker Path

Brokers using the cloud-based transportation management software Transport Pro can now post loads on the Trucker Path TruckLoads digital freight exchange.

The Transport Pro TMS integration with TruckLoads instantly puts available loads in front of Trucker Path’s 1 million-plus community of drivers. It allows brokers to opt in to post all of their available loads on TruckLoads with a single click. On the Trucker Path load board, users can lock in capacity instantly and digitally or communicate directly with the broker to negotiate rates or ask questions. Drivers and carriers can also verify their operating authority and insurance on the platform, simplifying the onboarding process for brokers. The integration also offers a link back to Transport Pro’s book now platform, which increases online booking visibility and creates an automated workflow for both parties.

“With the instant access to TruckLoads through our integration with Transport Pro, their brokers can substantially increase exposure to loads,” said Trucker Path Chief Marketing Officer Chris Oliver. “At the same time, the community of Trucker Path users gains immediate access to more available freight. This integrated capability will help meet capacity needs for brokers and enhance the ability of drivers and fleets using TruckLoads to easily find loads and generate revenue.”

CloudTrucks enhances multiple features

A technology and service provider for trucking entrepreneurs has added multiple new solutions and enhancements to its platform in an effort to streamline operations and boost earnings for truck drivers.

CloudTrucks’ newest offerings include support for load-out trailers, “pay now” repayments, rate con uploading, permit book enhancements, CT credit for sole proprietors, monthly business statements and in-app cancellations.

With support for load-out trailers, power-only (PO) drivers no longer have to haul empty load-out trailers. They will soon be able to book load-out trailers directly on the CloudTrucks platform without having to contact operations for manual approval, allowing them to make more money and gain a faster load booking process.

CloudTrucks has made its repayment policies more flexible so Virtual Carrier customers can more easily manage their budget, finances and profitability. With “pay now” repayments, drivers can pay off all or a larger portion of their repayments using their available and future CT Cash balance. With rate con uploading, CT Flex and Cash customers will soon have the flexibility to upload their own rate confirmations and add broker load IDs on external loads, making it simpler for drivers and admins to speed up load processing and payouts.

New enhancements to the digital permit book make it easier for Virtual Carrier customers to pass DOT inspections and remain compliant. They can now receive alerts when it’s time to update expiring documents and easily search for their information within their documents without having to scroll. CT Credit, CloudTrucks’ no-fee, no-interest credit card, is now available for sole proprietors so more trucking entrepreneurs can access a credit line to keep their trucks running and build business credit.

CloudTrucks has also enhanced monthly business statements, allowing Virtual Carrier, Flex and Cash customers to download official letterhead PDFs of their payouts and deductions to easily track and prove their monthly income for accounting, finance management and loan applications. CloudTrucks has also added in-app cancellation so customers can save time by requesting to cancel jobs without having to call the operations team.

In addition to its product updates, CloudTrucks has also recently established new resources for trucking entrepreneurs and owner operators on its platform. A new partnership with the MICHELIN Advantage Program gives customers access to roadside assistance and preferred rates on tires, and the CT Academy video series is now available to guide trucking entrepreneurs through best practices for building successful businesses.

ATrack introduces new 4G products

Global telematics company ATrack Technology Inc. has launched new 4G products for fleet management and asset tracking to help logistics operators improve management efficiency and reduce operating costs.

This includes the AK500 Telematics Gateway and the AX300 OBD vehicle tracker

The AK500 is a multi-functional telematics gateway that uses LTE Cat4 high-speed connectivity with 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi sharing, Bluetooth and real-time positioning functions. It supports multiple communication protocols and can read engine data of various commercial vehicles and trucks, including mileage, speed, fuel volume, fuel consumption, engine speed, idling time and other parameters. This can assist fleet management operators in conducting in-depth data reviews to help early detection of potential vehicle problems and order preventive maintenance. In addition, the AK500 has multiple interfaces that can be connected to various sensors, such as tire pressure monitors, ID card readers, temperature sensors and more.

The AX300 OBD vehicle tracker supports multiple communication protocols and can meet the tracking requirements for both commercial vehicles and heavy machinery. Differing from typical trackers that can only read a single CAN bus on the vehicle, the AX300 can read two sets of vehicle CAN bus information simultaneously to obtain more detailed engine data.

The combination of the AK500 telematics gateway and AX300 OBD tracker can help the logistics industry determine vehicle status and improve vehicle dispatch efficiency as well as manage driving behavior, detecting negative driving behaviors such as speeding, harsh cornering, and idling, among other things, to further improve efficiency.