Sustainability – Positioning Universal

Unleashing the Sun’s Power: Enhancing Efficiency and Security with Solar-Powered Asset Trackers for Construction Equipment Monitoring

Geoff Weathersby — Fri, 31 May 2024 15:41:25 +0000

‍Introduction to Solar-Powered Asset Trackers

Solar-powered devices are increasingly popular for asset tracking due to their enhanced solar efficiency, durable backup batteries, and seamless integration with sensors. They provide a compelling solution for managing construction equipment, offering near real-time monitoring of location and condition using renewable energy. By merging efficiency and sustainability, these trackers optimize equipment use and improve project oversight through solar-powered asset tracking technology.

Benefits of Using Solar-Powered Asset Trackers for Construction Equipment Monitoring

1. Enhanced Efficiency

One of the primary benefits of solar-powered asset trackers is the ability to operate with limited intervention. These trackers ensure continuous operation without the need for frequent battery replacements or external power sources. As a result, construction companies can monitor their equipment round the clock without interruptions, leading to enhanced efficiency in equipment and resource management.

2. Improved Security

Construction equipment is a significant capital investment, and its theft or unauthorized use can result in significant financial losses for companies. Solar-powered asset trackers play a crucial role in enhancing the security of construction equipment. By continuously monitoring the location of construction equipment, these trackers enable prompt action in case of theft or unauthorized movement.

Moreover, the software used with the solar-powered asset trackers provide after hours and geofence alerts. If the equipment is moved during unauthorized timeframes or unexpectedly exits a geofenced area, project and/or operations management can be immediately alerted. This ensures that immediate action is taken to prevent potential theft or misuse of the equipment. The combination of near real-time tracking and security features provides construction companies with peace of mind and helps safeguard their valuable assets.

3. Predictive Maintenance

Effective maintenance is vital for ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of construction equipment. Solar-powered asset trackers can significantly contribute to predictive maintenance strategies. By collecting and analyzing data about the equipment’s usage, these trackers can identify potential issues or maintenance needs before they escalate into costly breakdowns.

With the help of solar-powered asset trackers, construction companies can implement proactive maintenance schedules based on the actual usage patterns and condition of their equipment. This not only reduces the risk of unexpected equipment failures but also minimizes downtime and repair costs. By optimizing maintenance efforts, construction companies can maximize the lifespan of their equipment and ensure that it operates at peak efficiency throughout its lifecycle.

Best Practices

To fully leverage the benefits of solar-powered asset trackers for construction equipment monitoring, it is essential to follow some best practices. Here are a few key recommendations:

Regular Maintenance and Upkeep

While solar-powered asset trackers are designed for longevity and durability, regular maintenance is still necessary to ensure their optimal performance. Regularly inspecting the trackers, cleaning the solar panels, and checking the battery levels are essential tasks to maintain their efficiency.

Employee Training and Awareness

To maximize the efficiency and security of solar-powered asset trackers, it is essential to provide proper training and awareness to the employees who will be using and managing the trackers. This includes educating them about the features and functionalities of the trackers, as well as the best practices for installing and maintaining the equipment. By ensuring that employees are well-informed and trained, construction companies can minimize the risk of misuse or mishandling of the trackers to extend their lifecycles.

Future Trends

The field of solar-powered asset trackers is continuously evolving, driven by advancements in solar technology and the increasing demand for efficient construction equipment monitoring solutions. Here are some future trends that we can expect to see in this domain:

Integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The integration of solar-powered asset trackers with AI will enable more advanced functionalities and automation in construction equipment monitoring. This integration will allow for enhanced predictive maintenance and potentially automated decision-making through AI algorithms. By leveraging AI, construction companies can further optimize their equipment management and enhance operational efficiency.

Enhanced Durability and Robustness

Construction equipment operates in harsh and demanding environments, and the trackers attached to them must withstand these conditions. Future trends in solar-powered asset tracker design will focus on continuing to improve their durability and robustness, including research to develop more ruggedized devices. Examples of future enclosure options include the use of advanced composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) and nano-coatings or surface treatments that provide enhanced protection against moisture and dust. By ensuring the trackers can withstand the rigors of construction sites, solar-powered asset tracking providers will extend their capabilities to offer longer lasting equipment monitoring.

Conclusion

Solar-powered asset trackers offer significant benefits for construction equipment monitoring, providing enhanced efficiency, improved security, and predictive maintenance capabilities. By harnessing the power of renewable energy, these trackers ensure continuous operation, reduce downtime, and optimize equipment and resource allocation. Following best practices for maintenance and employee training further maximizes the efficiency and longevity of these trackers. Looking ahead, integration with AI and improved durability will continue to advance the capabilities of solar-powered asset trackers, making them increasingly indispensable tools for construction management.

About Positioning Universal

With a deep understanding of IoT technologies, we guide companies in designing and deploying IoT solutions that meet their unique needs. Our comprehensive offerings, paired with best-in-class customer support, empower businesses with the essential business intelligence to sustain a competitive edge in rapidly evolving markets.

Positioning Universal’s Solar-Powered Asset Trackers

Positioning Universal launched its solar asset trackers, the TT600 and TT603¹, in 2019. Key competitive differentiators for the TT600 and TT603 are:

Dynamic Tracking & Reporting: 1-minute GPS fix intervals with every 10-minute reporting while moving.
Solar Cell Size & Efficiency: one of the largest and most efficient solar cells in the market.
Self-Sustaining Power: backup battery will last up to 4 months at 12 reports/day.
Pre-Charged Battery: immediately monitor assets without concerns tracking will be inconsistent or stop due to depleted batteries.
6-axis Accelerometer: increases the data set available to evaluate accidents and roll-overs compared to the 3-axis accelerometers available on most solar trackers.

Positioning Universal continuously monitors relevant technological advancements, including emerging developments in solar technologies, in our constant quest to improve the quality of the telematics solutions we provide to our resellers and customers.

¹ TT603 has a built-in connector to connect temperature sensors, door sensors, and to detect tractor power.

Powered by the Sun: The Next Frontier in Trailer Tracking

Geoff Weathersby — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 23:06:45 +0000

Introduction

Solar-powered asset trackers made their debut in the mid-2010s with a primary focus on unpowered assets that required extended monitoring periods with minimal service and maintenance support. Over the last decade, the variety of assets tracked using solar technology has expanded significantly. This expansion has been driven by solar efficiency gains and the use of long-lasting backup batteries, enabling these devices to continuously operate even during extended periods of limited sunlight.

Solar-powered asset trackers offer an innovative solution for trailer tracking, utilizing solar energy to provide near real-time data on trailer location and condition. By combining efficiency and sustainability, transportation and logistics providers stand to benefit greatly from the use of solar-powered trackers.

Benefits of using Solar-Powered Asset Trackers for Trailer Tracking

Using solar power for trailer tracking offers companies a cost-effective, sustainable, and versatile option, eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements and reducing environmental impact of using one-time use or high maintenance solutions. Solar-powered asset trackers ensure reliable and uninterrupted tracking, making them ideal for monitoring trailers.


Cost Efficiency	Sustainability	Uninterrupted Monitoring
Although the initial investment in solar asset tracking devices may be higher, they can yield superior long-term cost savings compared to battery-powered devices by eliminating the maintenance costs associated with battery replacements or recharging.	Solar-powered devices harness a renewable and clean energy source. This reduces the environmental impact associated with battery-powered devices by eliminating maintenance trips to service these devices and the disposal of electronic waste due to battery replacements.	When sunlight is scarce, solar-powered devices use backup batteries to ensure uninterrupted tracking. This is especially important for long-term tracking use cases, as it ensures the tracking device remains operational.

Key Trailer Tracking Challenges

Monitoring trailers used in transportation presents several challenges, primarily stemming from the need for continuous monitoring and tight security. Ensuring the safety and security of goods in transit requires constant monitoring of trailer location, condition, and cargo integrity which can be hindered by limited visibility into key events such as a trailer door being unexpectedly opened while the trailer is stationary or a sudden temperature drop within the trailer.

Cargo theft remains a significant and escalating concern within the North American transportation & logistics sector. According to a CargoNet study, in 2023, cargo theft incidents increased 57% YoY resulting in a total of nearly $130 million of goods stolen.

Additionally, maintaining optimal trailer performance requires proactive monitoring of mileage to determine replacement cycles for tires and, if transporting temperature-sensitive goods, continuous monitoring of the trailer temperature to meet customer and regulatory requirements to prevent product spoilage.

Conclusion

Solar-powered asset trackers are transforming trailer tracking by combining efficiency and sustainability, offering numerous benefits such as continuous tracking capabilities, reduced environmental impact, and improved security and maintenance. These trackers offer transportation and logistics provide the unique opportunity for a more efficient and sustainable future in trailer tracking.

About Positioning Universal

Established in 2013, Positioning Universal is the leading global provider of off-the-shelf and customizable IoT devices, along with GPS-based monitoring solutions for vehicles and assets. Our Systems Integration (SI) services deliver turn-key solutions for smooth IoT implementations, leveraging our team’s extensive industry knowledge. With a deep understanding of IoT technologies, we guide companies in designing and deploying IoT solutions that meet their unique needs. Our comprehensive offerings, paired with best-in-class customer support, empower businesses with the essential business intelligence to sustain a competitive edge in rapidly evolving markets.

Positioning Universal’s Solar-Powered Asset Trackers

Positioning Universal launched its solar asset trackers, the TT600 and TT603¹, in 2019. Key competitive differentiators for the TT600 and TT603 are:

-Dynamic Tracking & Reporting: 1-minute GPS fix intervals with every 10-minute reporting while moving.

–Solar Cell Size & Efficiency: one of the largest and most efficient solar cells in the market.

–Self-Sustaining Power: backup battery will last up to 4 months at 12 reports/day.

–Pre-Charged Battery: immediately monitor assets without concerns tracking will be inconsistent or stop due to depleted batteries.

–6-axis Accelerometer: increases the data set available to evaluate accidents and roll-overs compared to the 3-axis accelerometers available on most solar trackers.

^{1 TT603 has a built-in connector to connect temperature sensors, door sensors, and to detect tractor power.}