Lytx Inc. announced an OEM integration collaboration with Daimler Truck North America using Lytx’s video telematics system and camera solution integrated into select Freightliner and Western Star models. The company also revealed an all-new parked vehicle trigger that helps fleets avoid potentially risky parking on the side of a highway or on/off ramp, filling a much-needed void in the marketplace and addressing a rising concern for drivers and fleet managers. The announcements were made in conjunction with the ATA Management Conference and Exhibition (MCE).
A new vehicle telematics gateway and camera solution that can be ordered directly from the factory on the Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star X-Series line of 47X, 49X, and 57X models. The solution will leverage Lytx DriveCam components, which will be integrated in the vehicle during the production of those models. Orders will open this fall.
This OEM solution is powered by the Lytx Vision Platform, which provides OEM partners and clients with the ability to leverage Lytx video, big data, and artificial intelligence to build custom solutions.
Parked-highway/ramp feature
One of the lesser-known safety hazards that commercial drivers face is the challenge of locating a safe place to pull their rigs over. Drivers are often forced to park on the shoulders of interstates/highways or on/off ramps if no other options appear available. This type of risky parking can increase the chances of devastating collisions, serious injuries, and financial liability risk for companies, Lytx noted in a press release.
To help mitigate this rising risk, in the coming weeks, Lytx will provide the feature called Parked-Highway/Ramp that triggers when the Lytx DriveCam event recorder identifies a stopped vehicle (for 10 minutes or more) and assesses if it is located on the shoulder of an interstate or highway or on an off/on ramp where other vehicles may be passing by. When a Parked-Highway/Ramp event occurs, the fleet manager is notified so that they can quickly intervene by sending nearby safe parking locations via GPS directly to their driver.
Development of the Parked feature was initiated through a close collaboration with customers within Lytx Lab, an idea incubator and a way for Lytx engineers and safety experts to work directly with customers to address market needs.