Safety, efficiency, compliance and security have always been the four pillars on which MiX Telematics has built its fleet-management systems. These pillars have formed an integral part of the MiX value proposition. Businesses in a range of industries adopt telematics in varying complexities, helping to boost productivity, improve safety and enhance customer service, as well as sharpen driver and vehicle security. It has also assisted in bolstering the bottom line and allows businesses to gain a competitive advantage in an ever-evolving world.

As ESG continues to be a hot topic, it has given rise to the fifth and most recent pillar… Sustainability. Over the years MiX has established a strong reputation for providing innovative fleet management technology and services for the passenger and commercial vehicle markets across various industries, including transport and distribution; FMCG; construction; oil and gas; mining; emergency services; government; public transport; rental and leasing; security; and utilities. Some of these industries are classified as being among the largest contributors to CO₂ emissions globally. In recent times, several key sectors have shown that telematics technology can help reduce harmful CO₂ emissions.

‘Telematics can help you reduce your carbon footprint while simultaneously increasing the efficiency and productivity of your fleet,’ says Henry Smith, fleet sales director at MiX Telematics Africa.

‘MiX Telematics’ solutions have proven to be effective in assisting businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. Our customers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint through more efficient driving practices and optimising fuel utilisation.’

So how do telematics and AI fit into sustainability and decarbonisation? Sustainability is not an uncharted topic, and fleets are under immense pressure to be more environmentally sustainable.

Decarbonisation refers to the measures a business takes to reduce its carbon footprint. By optimising fleet operations, fleet managers can achieve the goal of reducing CO₂ emissions.

The growing demand for sustainable transport – driven by government, shareholders, suppliers and customers demanding greater transparency and accountability for the environmental impact of daily operations – is pushing the corporate world to be more conscious than ever before of its social and environmental responsibilities.

AI plays a key role in reducing emissions of fleet vehicles. This is because AI technology helps optimise route planning, reduces idling times, and can lead to a reduction in fuel consumption, which ultimately reduces carbon emissions. This is not only good for the environment, but it can also lead to decreased operating costs.

MiX offers multiple AI-integrated telematics solutions that can help its customers achieve greener fleet management. Its integrated approach of using machine learning and AI to gather and interpret customer insights based on data has proven invaluable in achieving fleet sustainability outcomes that also support business objectives.

Solutions such as MiX Fleet Manager Premium collect and transmit valuable vehicle and driver data. Driving events such as harsh cornering, speeding, excessive idling, over-revving and severe cornering are captured by the onboard hardware – giving insight into driver behaviour negatively affecting the fleet’s energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Paired with the power of video telematics, businesses can further curb inefficient driver behaviour with MiX Vision AI, an AI-powered dashcam enabled with Advanced Driving Assistance Systems that gives drivers real-time coaching feedback during trips and the ability to review driving performance after the trip. The MiX Vision AI in-cab and road-facing cameras help prevent collisions, alert drivers to risky driving behaviour, and save on insurance costs from wrongful claims against drivers with the availability of incident video footage.

AI-powered dashcams are becoming essential for fleets looking to streamline operations. Moreover, as these dashcams are continuously recording, this footage can be used to exonerate drivers in the event of not-at-fault crashes.

‘We are seeing a shift in how fleet owners manage their vehicles and assets, choosing preventative maintenance to increase the longevity of their assets instead of sticking to – or even sometimes neglecting – regular maintenance checks,’ says Smith.

‘Utilising a solution that returns reliable diagnostic data about fleet performance in real-time is incredibly beneficial to your operations. This is because these insights help you to improve planning, cut back on inefficiency and gain a better understanding of your vehicle’s maintenance needs, keeping your assets running efficiently and sustainably.’

AI integration takes away all the guesswork as machine learning can interpret the driver’s behaviour in real-time, allowing for immediate alerts and correction. Utilising video telematics technology allows for real-time alerts to any unsafe driving behaviour, making driver coaching and accident prevention simpler. AI and machine learning also have a pre-emptive role to play in diagnosing and alerting drivers of any technical errors or when their vehicle needs maintenance. This is done via sophisticated neural networks that collect data on the vehicle’s state in real-time, giving fleet operators easy access to the performance of all the vehicles in their fleet.

Constantly having this information at hand assists fleet managers in spotting problems before they escalate into major liabilities that could lead to vehicles being out of action for prolonged periods. Taking this proactive stance improves fleet reliability and decreases downtime, resulting in a more productive fleet.

‘Managing greener and more sustainable operations can’t be achieved overnight,’ says Smith. ‘But by implementing AI-powered telematics solutions, sustainability can be a priority for your fleet without sacrificing efficiency.’

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