PowerFleet Expands IoT Services
I.D. Systems, Inc., asset management and IoT technology provider, has rebranded as PowerFleet Inc., a support brand for I.D.’s logistical, industrial, and automotive offerings with a specialization in connected transportation. This rebranding is coupled with the renaming of two brands in I.D.’s portfolio, Carrier Web ELD and Reefer Solutions. The new PowerFleet brand and website, will be the company’s hub for bumper to bumper telematic solutions in hopes that they will be able to provide customers enhanced business review, reporting capabilities, and employee productivity monitoring.
Mercedes-Benz Digitalizes Customer Experience
Mercedes-Benz India is launching a series of initiatives in India, most notably the “Mercedes Me Connect” and an e-commerce platform, aimed at digitalizing its customers’ entire journey with the brand. The three-phase roll out of “Mercedes Me Connect” will introduce embedded SIM cards, giving vehicle operators access to features like a parked vehicle locator, tele-diagnostics, and speed alerts. From there Mercedes-Benz India will introduce its smart assistant technology “Hey Mercedes.” “Going forward the car will become an integral part of customers’ life connecting them with their family and society at large,“ Martin Schwenk, the Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz India said. The brand hopes that customers will have increased opportunities to interact with the brand both through the physical vehicle as well as online services as a result of this connected technology.
Partnership Brings Connected Cars to Local Market
Vodafone Idea and Kia Motors are primed to debut a connected car system in future Kia Selto models. The partnership is hoping to penetrate the market by offering consumers integrated technology through a mix of eSIMS, 3G/4G data, APN, and API services. This technology is bringing connected features to five separate automotive areas including, navigation, safety, security, vehicle management, remote control, and convenience. Within these divisions, features include artificial intelligence (AI) voice command, stolen vehicle tracking and immobilization, and in-car air quality monitoring. Both brands are looking to serve what they believe is a growing consumer desire in the Indian Market.
Pairing Provides Wireless Solution
Pottle's Transportation and Orbcomm are joining forces to integrate trailer monitoring solutions that utilize high sensitivity solar panels and built-in cargo sensors to manage Pottle’s existing trailer fleet logistics. The Partnership is aiming to provide a wireless way to connect transportation hardware and an integrated analytics database by accessing live fleet updates and improving turn times. The pairing has worked to develop external monitoring devices that can be installed with a loaded vehicle and use telematic solutions to provide scheduling information and inspection reports.
Colloboration Completes First Scheduled Drone Delivery
FedEx Express announced that Roxo™, an autonomous delivery device will make its international debut in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The tool that FedEx hopes will add a new dimension to the last-mile delivery market features a machine-learning algorithm to detect and avoid obstacles, plot a safe path, and allow the bot to follow road and safety rules allowing it to be neighborhood and terrain safe.
New Digital Technologies to be Built-In by Volvo
Volvo Car Group is teaming up with Google to integrate Android technology into future Volvo models. The system, which Volvo is calling ‘Infotainment’, will include popular Google technology and services like the Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store all built in. Volvo is hoping that by pairing their vehicles with the Android operating system they will create a familiar environment for developers and customers alike as both will benefit from prior knowledge on the Google system and the Volvo Car system as well as the ability to optimize embedded in car features.