Private and for-hire fleets of all sizes can now utilize several new features and capabilities being made available by Qualcomm for its mobile computing platforms.
NaviGo 4.0 powered by Telogis, available this summer on Mobile Computing Platforms 110 and 200 (MCP110 and MCP200), will include navigation enhancements such as on- and off-board routing and point of interest (POI) searches, the company said. The newly enhanced navigation solution also enables on-board geocoding for faster in-cab location searches, improving efficiency in route generation when there is no connection available with off-board geocoding. In addition, an Address Wizard stores recent addresses and enables drill-down searches when communications are not available.
“The enhanced capabilities of NaviGo 4.0 powered by Telogis will help fleets alleviate challenges impacting operations,” said Norm Ellis, vice president of sales, services and marketing for Qualcomm Enterprise Services. “Accurate navigation is key to helping fleets increase productivity, improve driving safety, enhance customer satisfaction and reduce costs.”
Qualcomm is enhancing its Critical Event Reporting (CER) application with data from Bendix Wingman Advanced collision mitigation systems. The Bendix technology uses radar sensors mounted to the front of a vehicle to deliver warnings and enable throttle reduction, engine retarder and brake applications. The newest event triggers from the Bendix Wingman Advanced system complement existing application integrations with lane departure warning and roll stability triggers.
“We recognize that fleet managers need to accurately monitor driver behavior behind the wheel and understand that dedicated adherence to safety is what keeps fleets on the road,” said Ellis. “Through the integration of messages from Bendix Wingman Advanced, Qualcomm’s CER application extends beyond the vehicle cab to the back office, where driver and fleet managers can access a consolidated view of driver performance data from different third-party sensors and other related information, including hours of service.”
Qualcomm’s CER application is now able to integrate on-board sensors from Takata’s SafeTrak Lane Departure Warning System that combines a small video camera and machine vision software to view the road ahead, warning drivers if they unintentionally leave their lanes. This enhancement extends to the back office, where carriers can access a consolidated view of driver performance data to help tailor training based on a driver’s performance and specific needs.
“With all of the distractions on the road today, drivers can benefit from automated, intuitive systems that help them improve safety,” Ellis said. “By integrating Takata’s technology with our Critical Event Reporting application, we are augmenting our portfolio of safety solutions and helping fleets improve driver performance, prevent costly accidents and refine driver training.”
Qualcomm also announced it has reached a milestone for its Hours of Service (QHOS) application, which has now been adopted by more than 140,000 users in over 500 fleets. QHOS automates driver logs and is compliant with the latest electronic on-board recorder (EOBR) regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). With the application, fleet managers and dispatchers can access driver availability information and reports through a web browser, including duty status, driving time and remaining hours of service.
Qualcomm will soon add an oilfield exemption feature to its QHOS application. Initial availability on the MCP100 is slated for September 2012, with subsequent availability planned on the MCP50, MCP110 and MCP200 platforms. This feature is specifically designed for oilfield haulers that deliver to oil and natural gas well sites. It will allow drivers to record hours spent at the well site and driving utilizing the oilfield exemption in the FMCSA Hours of Service regulations that allows a 24-hour reset period instead of the standard 34-hour reset, and has the ability to log time waiting at oil and gas well sites as off-duty, according to the company.
“We are extremely pleased that a steadily increasing number of drivers are now benefiting from the safety, compliance and productivity gains offered by the Qualcomm Hours of Service application,” said Ellis. “Many fleets using QHOS have told us that they have seen a marked increase in available driving time, as well as dramatic reductions in out-of-service violations.”
Qualcomm is now offering customers flexibility with monthly data plans, including new terrestrial broadband options for data-intensive applications, such as In-Cab Scanning and Media Manager. The tiered monthly data plans for Mobile Computing Platforms 110 and 200 (MCP110 and MCP200) allow fleets to select data plans for different portions of their operations rather than incur transaction charges per page.
