ERM Advanced Telematics, a provider of device-based telematics solutions, has introduced an advanced vehicle tracking device called StarLink TrackerWi‑Fi. The device combines u-blox GNSS, 4G and Wi-Fi Technology eliminating the need to equip vehicles with a separate mobile Wi‑Fi hotspot. It has wide-ranging solutions for applications in connected car, telematics and vehicle diagnostic, fleet management, vehicle security, usage-based insurance, and rental and leasing service companies.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and connected car initiatives are transforming vehicular fleet management, providing rental car companies and transportation and logistics firms with tools to track vehicles, preemptively detect and diagnose disturbances from a distance, and monitor the behavior of their drivers in real-time. ERM already has over 1.8 million vehicle fleet tracking devices deployed on roads world-wide.
As onboard Wi‑Fi becomes increasingly wide-spread, many companies are fitting vehicles with Wi‑Fi hotspots to offer drivers and passengers Internet access. With its integrated Wi‑Fi hotspot, ERM’s StarLink TrackerWi‑Fi makes it easier by letting users tap into the cellular 4G connectivity it draws on to transfer telematics data back to the fleet manager. Not only does this make it possible to send real-time telematics data to the driver’s smart device or onboard infotainment system, it also reduces the number of SIM cards needed from one per device to one per vehicle.
Sourcing the GNSS tracking, cellular 4G LTE, and Wi‑Fi technology from u-blox played a key role in achieving the device’s fast time-to-market. By using u‑blox’s pre-tested positioning and communications modules with integrated software, the manufacturer was able to cut the time needed for production and development by several months.
