As an example, using hard-wired devices in electric vehicles are troublesome for the following reasons:

• Electric vehicles’ electrical architecture is different from conventional vehicles so installing a telematics device without proper understanding or expertise can risk damaging their electrical components
• Electric vehicles sometimes don’t have available, or easy access to, a constant 12-volt source of power

While battery components are often overlooked while evaluating IoT device performance, poor performing batteries can hinder the performance and reliability of telematics systems by hampering their ability to gather and transmit the crucial data companies need to run their daily operations.

Background

Batteries are the heartbeat of our modern world, powering essential functions like how people connect and communicate, find information, transport people and goods, and power homes and buildings. Batteries are especially critical in powering a wide range of commercials applications. The most common battery technologies used for commercial applications include:

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, with their high energy density, long cycle life, lightweight design, and relatively low self-discharge rates, have emerged as the most dominant battery technology used for commercial applications.

Global Li-ion battery production capacity is forecast to increase eightfold by 2027. Li-ion battery production is dominated by China with 79% market share followed by U.S. with 6% market share.

Despite their increasing popularity, Li-ion batteries have several key noteworthy limitations including:

• Safety Concerns: While Li-ion batteries are generally safe, they can be prone to thermal runaway and overheating under certain conditions. Li-ion battery failures in EVs, smartphones, and e-bikes have led to fires which have made national news. Airlines also restrict bulk shipments of Li-ion batteries in cargo areas due to fire risk concerns.
• Geopolitical Concerns: China dominance of the global Li-ion market, which includes production control of most of the parts that make up a battery, are a risk given current global tensions.

Companies are working on new battery technologies to address these limitations. Examples of promising new battery technologies include solid-state, lithium sulfur, zinc–manganese oxide, and sodium-ion.

Battery Use in Telematics

Batteries play a crucial role in telematics serving as power sources for asset tracking devices and as backup batteries in devices hard-wired into vehicles or assets in the event of power loss. Recent advancements in battery technology have significantly enhanced the telematics market, improving the efficiency, reliability, and performance of connected devices.

Positioning Universal’s Smart Power^SM Technology

Positioning Universal is an established, recognized industry pioneer in providing innovative hardware, software and services. Positioning Universal’s SVR Tracking business was awarded patent 11482057 in 2022 for its method and system for battery management for mobile geofencing devices.

Our patented Smart Power^SM  technology delivers high-performance battery power management with the ability to automatically lower power consumption to preserve battery life during extreme weather conditions or in areas with poor cellular network connectivity or coverage. We use this patented technology in our self-powered wireless devices used in numerous market applications including vehicle finance, dealer lot management, equipment rental, and cargo & merchandise tracking.

The parameters used to train the model increased from 117 million in 2018 to a staggering 1 trillion in 2022 as shown in the table below:

AI has already had a transformative effect across many markets such as using chatbots for customer service, assisting credit card companies in identifying fraud, and improving logistics through optimized routes.

Companies with fleet operations not using AI-powered connected car technology solutions face higher accident risks and costs, increased operational expenses, the potential for unexpected downtime and expensive repairs which places them at a competitive disadvantage.

Background

AI is a field of computer science that is creating intelligent systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. It involves developing algorithms and models that enable machines to learn, reason, and make decisions based on data and patterns. AI encompasses various subfields, including machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, and robotics.

Early deployments of AI systems date back to the 1960s, with notable examples including the ELIZA program for conversation simulation and expert systems like DENDRAL for chemical analysis.

Generative AI is a subset of AI that specifically focuses on creating models and algorithms capable of generating new and original content, such as images, text, or audio. It uses techniques like deep learning, neural networks, and probabilistic models to produce outputs that mimic or create novel content based on patterns and examples from training data.

AI In Connected Car Technology

AI was initially used in connected car technology for route optimization by analyzing traffic data and suggesting optimal routes. AI is also being used to monitor driver behavior, analyzing factors like speed, acceleration, and braking patterns to identify risky driving behaviors and convert this data into driver scores. Additionally, AI is being deployed for predictive maintenance, using data on engine performance, fuel consumption, and usage patterns to anticipate maintenance needs and reduce downtime and repair costs.

Positioning Universal’s AI-Powered Dashcams

Positioning Universal’s AI-powered dashcams, coupled with our connected car technology devices and software, mitigate accident risks and associated costs, provide video evidence to help exonerate drivers from accident claims, optimize fuel consumption through route optimization, and enhance preventative maintenance activities to reduce downtime and expensive repairs.