AI dashcams for HGVs – the pros and cons

Motive Technologies, a technology company that began in 2013 to support greater safety and efficiency for logistics businesses, has begun trialling its AI-powered cameras and telematics solutions with UK fleets.  

Having recognised that digitisation is the way forward for logistics businesses to achieve greater output while under continuous pressure, Motive’s offering is an IoT data platform that connects vehicles, equipment, and facilities to the Cloud, giving fleet operators more data to make informed decisions. It brings together driver safety, fleet management, workforce management, and equipment monitoring all in one platform.  

Its investment in AI-powered solutions traces back to 2017, and its first AI-powered camera was launched in 2021. Its focus for deploying these cameras has become incident prevention, monitoring key cues like mobile phone usage, stop sign violations, unsafe parking and more. It also provides driver coaching which can be done either in real time or at the end of the day, to support better driving behaviours and prevent incidents.   

These cameras also upload collision videos to be reviewed by its safety team and remove any false positives. Fleet managers are also notified of incidents via alert and have the capability to contact first responders for immediate help if necessary.  

According to an interview given to Fleet News, Nyanya Joof, Regional Vice President of UK markets reported their technology has prevented more than 170,000 accidents and saved 1,500 lives. Fleet managers also spend up to 35% less time on manual processes like uploading documents.  

Motive’s trial represents a wider trend of using AI-powered vision to support greater safety – not just on the roads, but in warehouses too. AI cameras can continuously monitor for any potential safety threats and ensure adherence to strict compliance; such as detecting forklifts are in a section of the warehouse and alerting the manager if they are not in safe proximity to people.  

The logistics industry is ripe for digitisation, and AI-powered vision is an extremely beneficial tool for fleet and warehouse managers to embrace.