Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/493405
42 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | APRIL 2015 technology B lueTree Systems showcased its new Android platform during the Truckload Carriers Association's annual conference last month in Kissimmee, Fla. The company has devel- oped a new electronic logging device-style recording product, the BT500, and has rewritten its software applications to run on smartphones and tablets with the Android operating system. The compact BT500 connects with a tractor's CAN Bus to capture, monitor and transmit data to BlueTree's online serv- ers through an embedded GSM cellular modem. In the cab, the BT500 connects with Android devices through short-range Bluetooth and Wi-Fi protocols. Fleets can configure the BT500 to be a secure wireless hotspot, allowing drivers to connect to the Web, said Chip Powell, director of U.S. operations for BlueTree. As part of the rollout, BlueTree part- nered with Garmin to offer its fleet 670 device to run BlueTree applications that include messaging, electronic hours-of-service with HOS Advisor, and driver perfor- mance. The Garmin fleet 670, an Android tablet with a 6-inch screen, comes with truck naviga- tion and lifetime map updates. It has a built-in camera to capture images of delivery docu- ments and cargo claims. It also comes with near-field communications that fleets can use as part of the vehicle inspection process to ensure that drivers physically walked around the vehicle. An inspection app on the device can detect signals from tags attached to different areas on the vehicle and trailer. BlueTree also is in the final stages of developing an app that can be downloaded to any device from the Google Play store. With this app, drivers could receive dispatch messages outside the cab, Powell said. BlueTree also offers a temperature monitoring app that can alert drivers to exceptions cap- tured by its R:Com reefer monitoring system. As a future option, the BT500 will support streaming video from up to four wireless cam- eras placed around the vehicle, Powell said. BlueTree, based in Ireland, established its initial telematics footprint in Europe, where high fuel prices and stringent regulations for temperature-controlled freight have been the primary drivers of product development, Powell said. For the U.S. market, BlueTree is leveraging its expertise in analyzing engine data to de- velop a more detailed view of driver behaviors and performance. "We are not just going to measure on harsh brake, mpg and rpms," Powell said. "We are going to measure on how they are actually driving the truck." As part of this effort, BlueTree will build a scoring program that gives drivers continuous feedback for fuel efficiency, safety and other performance areas. The cumulative score can be used by fleets to reinforce positive behaviors through incentives and rewards. – Aaron Huff BlueTree converts in-cab technology to Android t 1FHBTVT5SBOT5FDIT5SBOT- øP&YQSFTTtruck stop scan- ning network now includes more than 251 TA and Petro Stopping Centers following the company's acquisition of TripPak Services. Both Trip - Pak Express drop boxes and Transflo Express truck stop scanning services remain available to drivers through a seamless network across the United States and Canada, the company said. t QuikQ, provider of a card - less direct fuel connection between truck stop point- of-sale and motor carrier enterprise systems, received a U.S. patent for its method and system for managing and monitoring fuel transactions. The QuikQ Fuel Purchasing System provides the fleet, truck stop and driver access to live data for real-time reporting with improved security and control over fuel transactions. t *%4ZTUFNT, a provider of wireless machine-to-machine asset management systems, received a U.S. patent for its advanced cargo sensing system for dry van trailers and intermodal containers. Integrating a battery-pow - ered light-based sensor with an ultrasonic cargo detector, the system is designed to im- prove cargo sensing accuracy, maximize device battery life and provide loaded/unload- ed data without an external door sensor. t %SJWFXZ[F announced that eligible commercial carriers now can use its PreClear by - pass service at 22 agricultural inspection stations in Florida following its agreement with the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement. t )FMQ*OD, a nonprofit public- private partnership serving the commercial vehicle safety Continued on page 44 INBRIEF BlueTree has developed a new ELD-style recording device, the BT500, and rewritten its software applica- tions to run on Android smartphones and tablets.