Qualcomm Incorporated, a provider of business-to-business wireless enterprise applications and services, announced new applications for the OmniVision mobile computing platform. The company also announced a terrestrial option for fleets or portions of fleets that do not require ubiquitous coverage.
The system upgrade is a software and over-the-air firmware update resulting in new applications and additions, including Critical Event Reporting, Maptuit NaviGo in-cab navigation, and Vehicle Maintenance for improved logistical planning and operational performance. The new applications and tools help to reduce costs, increase fleet productivity and improve the overall quality of life for drivers, the company says.
The new terrestrial option includes a data modem and antenna for CDMA communication and terrestrial communication plus satellite GPS positioning. Qualcomm’s Critical Event Reporting (CER) application records, retrieves and analyzes truck and driver performance information in order to reconstruct and review critical events, such as hard braking or onboard sensor events.
CER can help identify trends of risky driving behavior so fleet managers can implement targeted measures to improve driver behavior, enhance productivity and help lessen the risk of accidents. CER data is automatically sent over-the-air immediately following an event, says Norm Ellis, vice president and general manager of transportation and logistics for Qualcomm Enterprise Services, formerly known as Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions.
Vehicle Maintenance is an application that gives fleet managers a view into the mechanics of their fleet’s truck engines. Engine fault codes are used to determine how each engine is running and troubleshoot if something goes wrong. Driver email, another added feature to the OmniVision platform, allows drivers to receive messages from designated family and friends.
The designated contacts send emails via a dedicated URL page and “Jill,” the voice of the OmniVision platform, broadcasts the messages over the air so drivers can concentrate on driving. Content delivery is a feature that allows transportation companies to send audio files with important messages over the air to a specific driver or to their entire fleet of drivers. These added features further help to improve driver safety, satisfaction and productivity.
Specifically designed for the transportation and logistics industry, the OmniVision system incorporates industry-specific capabilities and features into that framework, including a growing number of value-added services. Advanced text-to-speech capability improves driver safety and productivity by allowing drivers to listen to and replay messages, eliminating the need to pull over and stop the vehicle to read a text message. The platform also features an integrated, color touch-screen and a remote control device, providing drivers quick access to critical information.
