A cheaper EV charging solution, a new cellphone blocking tool and more

00:00 In this week’s CCJ Tech Shorts, we’ll take a look at a new cellphone blocking tool that aims to protect fleets, DAT’s new high in analyzed freight transactions, a cheaper EV charging solution and a partnership in the last-mile logistics space.

00:27 Blackout Technologies has launched a new cellphone blocking tool that aims to dramatically cut the number of vehicle collisions caused by distracted driving.

The in-vehicle solution prevents unauthorized access to smartphone apps and prevents notifications when behind the wheel, removing the temptation for fleet drivers to take their eyes off the road and discouraging illegal device usage.

Blackout’s technology uses an app installed on a driver’s smartphone that connects to a Bluetooth beacon within the vehicle, or alternatively, an integrated fleet solution such as a connected dashcam or telematics unit. It activates when the vehicle is in motion, automatically restricting encrypted messaging tools, the camera and other popular apps, and includes a two-minute delay to prevent drivers using their smartphone when in stationary traffic. The solution provides an added layer of safety, while still allowing hands-free calls, satnav, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and workforce systems.

It also has a crash detection functionality, based on high g-force events, whereby a notification is sent to the driver to verify if a collision has occurred and check on their welfare. An alert is then sent to the fleet manager via the Blackout management portal, which monitors active drivers and live device compliance status. Details of a confirmed incident can also be sent to other specified parties for an efficient safety and claims management response.

01:48 DAT Freight & Analytics, a truckload freight marketplace and data analytics service, has exceeded $1 trillion in analyzed freight transactions within its DAT iQ platform.

Using invoices submitted by freight shippers and brokers, DAT iQ analyzes anonymized transactions to help freight brokers, shippers and carriers understand and anticipate trends in market demand and pricing. The data comes from nearly 670 million separate invoices covering tens of thousands of transportation lanes over almost 15 years of market cycles.

The $1 trillion dataset powers DAT iQ’s truckload pricing tool RateView and Benchmark, its transportation procurement intelligence service for shippers. Using advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence, DAT iQ gives all parties in the freight transaction insight into whether their pricing aligns with market trends today and into the future.

02:41 ChargePoint, a provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles, has rolled out a low-cost charging solution to enable more fleets to go electric. The CPF50 is a Level 2 charger that lowers the barrier to entry for fleet electrification with the price of $699.

Fleet operators can optimize their total cost of ownership by bundling ChargePoint’s fleet management software. Multiple CPF50s can be managed from the platform, enabling power sharing via the cloud to reduce charging costs and optimize battery health and can be configured with either J1772 or NACS connectors to meet any fleet’s needs, regardless of vehicle or connector type.

Though best suited for fleets with vehicles that have a long dwell time, typically an overnight charging scenario like delivery vehicles, the solution can work for heavy-duty fleets as well. 

In the realm of heavy-duty vehicles, ChargePoint expects its Megawatt charging solution will reshape the feasibility of electrified long-haul transport. Chargers capable of delivering energy up to 20 times the speed of existing DC chargers for passenger vehicles will ensure a long-haul truck can recharge in less than an hour, taking on energy at a rate that could power a professional sports venue like Yankee Stadium on a game day.

03:56 Senpex, a last-mile logistics services provider, has partnered with data and AI solutions provider EtaVista to integrate advanced data analytics, AI automation and predictive analytics with Senpex’s platform to deliver more customized, efficient and reliable logistics solutions for its clients, including those in the transportation sector.

This partnership gives Senpex the ability to automate complex decision-making processes and improve operational workflows. It also allows the company to anticipate delivery trends, optimize driver performance and streamline real-time decision-making, leading to more efficient logistics management.

EtaVista’s data-centric solutions are designed to help businesses across multiple sectors, including transportation and logistics, with an approach that involves creating AI dashboards, automating workflows and building predictive models to continuously refine operations.