Just when drivers get used to one new technology being in cars – take your pick from the plethora that have arrived in the past 18 months – and another one comes along. Industry experts assess what impact AI will have on the fleet sector in the future.

It was only a matter of time before full-scale artificial intelligence (AI) worked its way into being part of the original equipment of new cars. Volkswagen’s announcement that it will integrate ChatGPT into its upcoming vehicles is surely the beginning of a trend that will see fellow OEMs follow suit.

It would be foolish to dismiss the move out of hand, but it would also be a mistake to fully welcome it, when there may be concerns about its use (and possible abuse) in the automotive sector. AI has been found to improve efficiency, accuracy and overall operations in many different industries, so could the car world follow suit? Only time will tell, but the signs are looking promising.

Steve Thomas – managing director, UK, Inseego

Steve Thomas – managing director, UK, Inseego

Ultimately, telematics is about altering behaviour, but it has been the responsibility of the fleet manager to use performance data to directly engage with the driver. Historically, the telematics system has provided the tools for the fleet manager to engage and manage drivers but, all too often, the amount of data being generated becomes overwhelming.

AI will increasingly automate driver communication, which will massively reduce the burden on the fleet manager. This is happening to a certain extent, but we will see the technology rapidly evolve to the extent that the telematics system will possess the ability to manage the drivers directly. There are already active examples around driver behaviour monitoring and training, but we will start seeing the technology handle other aspects of fleet management including compliance, vehicle usage and working hours, thereby taking on much of the hard work.

The telematics system will use AI to interrogate the data, understand where issues exist and take the appropriate steps to resolve these exceptions. The fleet manager will be able to oversee the entire process via a reporting dashboard, which measures ongoing performance, provides a digital audit trail and highlights the 2-3% that requires their attention. Soon, we will see many driver, vehicle and fleet processes move from human intervention to automatic system management.

Mike Cafferky – operations director, OCU Evolution

Mike Cafferky – operations director, OCU Evolution

The Government’s EV Infrastructure Strategy shows that 300,000 public charging points are needed by 2030. But, as the phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles begins, the UK has a long way to go to meet the ambitious target. As of January 2024, just under 54,000 charging devices had been installed, highlighting the urgency to expand the network and increase investment.

Encouragingly, people are already making the shift to electric. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported a 39.3% increase in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and a 17.8% increase in battery electric vehicles registered on the road in 2023, compared with 2022. That’s why getting the EV infrastructure in place will be crucial to serve the expected continue in demand.

Above creating the infrastructure, we also need to ensure we are embracing cutting-edge technologies such as data science and dynamic artificial intelligence capabilities. For example, to ensure optimum charging efficiency, AI can be used to evaluate historical data and create simulations to accurately predict demand.

Autonomous electric vehicles will also benefit from AI. The technology can be used to programme and set the most efficient routes helping to avoid idling, reduce emissions, save fuel and cut congestion. Implementing adaptive infrastructure that responds to updates in autonomous vehicle technology will also be revolutionary in improving vehicle performance.

The recent launch of OCU Evolution highlights our commitment to getting the UK ready for electromobility. OCU Evolution provides businesses with the complete EV package. That means everything from installing and connecting infrastructure through to providing charging units for cars, lorries and buses. We also support the ongoing maintenance and commissioning of substations, solar panels and batteries.

While the UK has a long road ahead, if we continue to collaborate and embrace technological advancements such as AI, we’ll be in a strong position to hit the zero-emission vehicle target. We have the opportunity to create a more sustainable and efficient transport system but if the right infrastructure is not in place, it will be increasingly difficult to encourage members of the public to buy into this new norm.

Vernon Bonser – UK sales director, Queclink Wireless Solutions

Vernon Bonser – UK sales director, Queclink Wireless Solutions

AI will undoubtedly enable fleets to analyse huge amounts of data quickly and effortlessly, to gain operational insight and trends that were previously impossible to compile. Therefore, it will help deliver enhanced safety and, ultimately, a return on investment.

The challenge for fleet and video telematics has always been how to best compile, review and then act on visible trends, which is where the risk reduction and return on investment sits. The time needed to simply examine daily driver behaviour events for a medium or large fleet is significant. Therefore, it would be impossible for single person or even a small department to achieve efficiently. When you add video into the equation, imagine how much more resource is required to review the gathered vehicle and driver footage?

We are also seeing a growing number of AI-powered cameras that can not only capture footage, but provide audible, real-time alerts to the driver regarding distraction and fatigue; detect nearby vulnerable road users; and understand fleet risk like never before. The processing increasingly occurs on the device, rather than in the cloud, enabling instant intervention and reporting.

It is this constant review of data that offers a step towards the autonomous vehicle solutions of the future, which will be impossible without AI playing its part.