Telematics

From Free net encyclopedia

The term telematics is used in a number of ways:

• The integrated use of telecommunications and informatics, also known as ICT (Information and Communications Technology). More specifically it is the science of sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices.
• More narrowly and commonly, telematics is applied specifically to the use of Global Positioning System technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology.
• Most narrowly, the term is used to refer to the use of such systems within road vehicles, in which case the term vehicle telematics may be used.

Contents 1 Vehicle telematics 2 Brands 3 Practical applications of vehicle telematics 3.1 Vehicle tracking 3.2 Trailer tracking 3.3 Satellite navigation 3.4 Mobile data 4 References 5 See also 6 External links

Vehicle telematics

Vehicle telematics systems may be used for a number of purposes, including collecting road tolls, managing road usage (the United States Department of Transportation intelligent transportation system), tracking fleet vehicle locations, recovering stolen vehicles, providing automatic collision notification, and providing location-driven driver information services. Vehicle telematics systems are also increasingly being used to provide remote diagnostics; a vehicle's in-built systems will identify a mechanical or electronic problem, and the telematics package will automatically make this information known to the vehicle manufacturer and service organisation. Other forthcoming applications include on-demand navigation, audio and audio-visual entertainment content. The etymology of telematics, as determined by author and academic Dennis Foy, is from the Latin tele~ (far off, especially in relation to the process of producing or recording) and ~Matos (a derivative of the Gk machinari, or contrivance, usually taken in this context to mean 'of its own accord') which combine in the term telematics to offer a means of describing the process of long-distance transmission of computer-based information.

Brands

• ESITrack: Provides for car and ship GPS data telematics
• OnStar: Offered in almost every vehicle General Motors produces
• Tele Aid: Provided for Mercedes-Benz and Maybach by ATX Group, partially owned by Vodafone
• BMW Assist: Provided for BMW and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars by ATX Group, partially owned by Vodafone
• C-pod: Provided for Leisure boat owners by Pilotfish Marine, subsidiary of Pilotfish Networks
• TrackYourTruck: Provides Vehicle Tracking Services online for businesses and consumers

Practical applications of vehicle telematics

When used in a commercial environment vehicle telematics can potentially be a powerful and valuable tool to improve the efficiency of an organisation. Some practical applications of vehicle telematics include;

Vehicle tracking

Vehicle tracking is a way of monitoring the location, movements, status and behaviour of a vehicle or fleet of vehicles. This is achieved through a combination of a GPS(GNSS) receiver and an electronic device (usually comprising a GSM/GPRS modem) installed in each vehicle, communicating with the user (dispatching, emergency or co-ordinating unit) and PC or web based software. The data is turned into information by management reporting tools in conjunction with a visual display on computerised mapping software. Advanced vehicle localisation system for public transport may employ odometry instead of GPS/GNSS.

Trailer tracking

Trailer tracking is the technology of tracking the movements and position of an articulated vehicle's trailer unit, through the use of a location unit fitted to the trailer and a method of returning the position data via mobile communication network or geostationary satellite communications, for use though either PC or Web based software.

Satellite navigation

Satellite navigation in the context of vehicle telematics is the technology of using a GPS and electronic mapping tool to enable the driver of a vehicle to locate a position, then route plan and navigate a journey.

Mobile data

Mobile data is use of wireless data communications using radio waves to send and receive real time computer data to, from and between devices used by field based personnel. These devices can be fitted solely for use while in the vehicle (Fixed Data Terminal) or for use in and out of the vehicle (Mobile Data Terminal)

References

• Matthew Wright, Editor, UK Telematics Online [1]

See also

• Mass surveillance
• Intelligent transportation systems
• Floating Car Data
• QNX (most popular operating system used in telematics applications)

External links

• "Automotive Telematics" book
• Telematics Update (vehicle telematics site)
• General Motors OnStar system [2]
• Danish Centre for Health Telematics
• ABOUT Automotive Research Reports
• Articles, service providers and news about telematics
• Links to news articles on telematics and related topics
• UK Telematics Online (Information for users of Vehicle Telematics)
• Telematics for Sustainable Transport
• Transportation Communications Newsletter
• Telematics Valley, Telematics interest group
• Telematics Wire Industry News and Links
• Vehicle Tracking application service providerde:Telematik

es:Telemática it:Telematica nl:Telematica pt:Telemática sv:Telematik