San Diego-based SmartDrive Systems has released SmartDrive 2.0, the latest version of its fleet vehicle safety-improvement system. According to the firm, SmartDrive 2.0 combines all the features of SmartDrive 1.0,including video event recording and wireless downloading, with several key new functions.
New features include increased memory, over-the-air firmware updates and fully outsourced incident reviews by trained professionals. SmartDrive states it guarantees safer driving through "behavioral shaping" and that it guarantees a minimum of 30% fewer crashes for fleets using its device.
According to the company, SmartDrive 2.0 is the first “fully embedded” vehicle maintenance module including universal OBDII/J-Bus connectivity. The firm says using SmartDrive enables safer driving by detecting erratic driving and excessive speeding and then providing driver training and behavioral modification via a feedback loop, preventive maintenance and engine diagnostics, and video crash re-construction. All of this, says SmartDrive, is delivered over one seamless, web-based service. All the video data and diagnostics data can be viewed by fleet/risk/safety managers by simply logging on to SmartDrive’s secure website.
The SmartDrive in-vehicle unit is mounted behind the rearview mirror and consists of two, tiny cameras: one camera pointing forward, one pointing at the driver. SmartDrive is continuously recording, so "events,” such as tailgating, swerving, speeding or a collision, are recorded and saved from 15 seconds before the event and 15 seconds after it.
Each video "event" is then wirelessly downloaded to the secure website where it is reviewed so that the driver involved can be counseled and retrained. SmartDrive notes this "behavior shaping" is based on the Hawthorne Effect, which holds that workers perform better when they are being observed.
For more information, go to www.smartdrive.net or call toll-free 866-933-9930.
