The proliferation of vehicle telematics and GPS tracking solutions is transforming the logistics, transportation and freight forwarding industries the world over. These technologies have revolutionised fleet operations and management. If you are in one of these industries, you may have heard the term “machine vision” when considering a telematics solution. This is one of the many vehicle telematics innovations that are empowering fleet owners and managers.
Being able to access a variety of data and information regarding your vehicle fleet’s activities, locations and management are critical for successful fleet operations. GPS tracking and telematics technologies allow managers to monitor almost every aspect of their vehicle fleet. Machine vision is one of the most astounding advancing we have seen because interacts with that collected data.
Let us take a look at machine vision and how it is helping fleet managers and owner across the globe:
What Is Machine Vision?
“Machine Vision” (MV) can refer to a variety of technologies and methods that use imaging techniques to automate business operations. Image processing results in another image, whereas MV uses information gathered from an image (or video) to identify, automate and monitor activities. This provides operational guidance to devices and machines through smart analysis of those images. Combining image and video data allows MV systems to analyse and interpret vehicle activity and driver behaviour.
How Do Machine Vision Systems Work?
A fleet management solution that includes MV allows the system to ‘see’ what is going on and make rapid decisions based on that information. How it functions will depend on the application, but MV allows businesses to observe and monitor all kinds of machinery, equipment and objects – including drivers and their vehicles. MV can identify vehicle fleet-related actions, such as distracted driving, speeding, route maintenance and road rule adherence.
MV systems are capable of working in various ways, since they are required to interpret many different kinds of things through images and videos. It is a three-step process that requires image capture, lighting and processing for the system to determine what it is seeing. Combining high-end image sensors and smart cameras with extensive processing hardware and software algorithms allows owners and managers to automate, both, simple and complex tasks.
Deep Learning and Machine Vision
The advancement of artificially intelligent or ‘smart’ technologies are based on incredible software development and coding algorithms. One of the most incredible and exciting advances in this area is “deep learning”. Deep learning is a key part in the implementation and integration of AI into our daily lives; it allows these machines to interpret unstructured data and learn from it, much like a human brain.
Deep learning allows MV systems to better recognise objects, events and processes in the (final) image processing step in MV. With deep learning, MV solutions can begin to make its own connections and develop insights, above and beyond the pre-set conditions it usually utilises. The system becomes more flexible and adaptable in its ability to recognise things it has never seen. This means that fleet owners and managers can constantly improve their operational outputs.
Machine Vision Helps Improve Fleet Safety and Driver Behaviour
As with anything on the road, vehicle fleets are exposed to the expensive and detrimental effects of road accidents and incidents. These can put tremendous pressure on fleet managers to maintain delivery dates, fleet operations and their drivers’ safety. MV-supported fleet management solutions can reduce risky driving behaviour and improve road safety across your vehicle fleet.
Even brief moments of distracted driving or risky behaviour can have long-lasting consequences for the driver, vehicle and fleet as a whole. Injuries, delays, unexpected maintenance costs and reputational harm are just the beginning of the devastating effects that accident and safety issues can cause. These risky driving behaviours include:
- Speeding and switching lanes
- Messaging or speaking on cell phones
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to people in the vehicle
- Changing the radio station or volume
- Looking for items in the cab
Any and all activities that distract a driver’s attention away from the road is considered a risky driving behaviour.
The Benefits of Machine Vision Cameras for Vehicle Fleets
It only takes one moment of distracted driving or an instance of poor planning to increase the risk of road incidents occurring. MV solutions use smart cameras and predetermined observational markers that can quickly identify, even the briefest, actions that risk driver’s safety and vehicle security. Recognising these moments could be the difference between an accident occurring and a driver arriving safely at their destination.
A small or medium vehicle fleet can still clock thousands of kilometres and manage dozens of vehicles every day. MV cameras are smart cameras that have been coded to identify key activities to avoid risky activity and reduce dangerous incidents. Having these MV cameras installed in your fleet’s vehicles could help you avoid expensive road accidents and reduce injuries or fatalities.
How Is Machine Vision Used by Different Businesses?
The utility and capability of a MV system is far broader than one might, initially, think. Operational monitoring, quality control and management are just the beginning. MV assists various businesses, across many industries, with identification, inspection, guidance, training, decision making and so much more.
Here are some examples of MV’s versatility:
- Inventory Management – Inventory control and management utilises barcodes to identify goods for sale and components and parts in the manufacturing process, in which MV is a critical tool.
- Safety – Monitoring and tracking fleet vehicles, food supplies, heavy machinery or manufactured goods is strengthened by MV and crucial for keeping your business’s employees, operations and equipment safe.
- Identifying Production or Manufacturing Errors – MV is uniquely suited to identifying production line or manufacturing errors; helping to prevent the same errors occurring in the future.
- Product Tracking and Traceability – The rise in e-commerce means that product tracking is more vital than ever. MV solutions also trace serial numbers, dates, ingredients and movement of goods in heavily-regulated industries.
- Measurements, Analysis and Calibration – MV-supported systems can help measure and calibrate various production processes and equipment functionality. Analysing operational data to develop more effective methods.
- Farming and Agriculture – Farming and agricultural machinery uses MV to monitor plant growth, animal wellbeing and harvesting processes; helping to see the whole farm and detect issues as they arise.
The Future of Machine Vision for Fleet Management
Hopefully, the most significant change, we will see in the future is the number of road accidents and safety concerns dropping significantly across the logistics and freight forwarding industries. Enabling fleet companies to monitor, train and protect their drivers, while ensuring all vehicles are where they need to be – on time and safe. Vehicle telematics will continue to explore deep learning and AI-supported solutions that will continue to revolutionise the way fleet companies operate.
If your transportation or logistics company is looking to invest in the latest fleet management solutions and vehicle telematics to help your business improve fleet safety and performance, speak to one of our expert consultants at Landmark Tracking.