10 Vehicle Telematics Trends to Look Out for in 2023

Vehicle telematics is the use of technology to track and monitor the performance of vehicles in real-time, measure vehicle performance, and analyze data related to driving and maintenance. As we ease into 2023, the use of vehicle telematics is expected to become even more prevalent, as new trends arise  help drivers, fleet owners and managers to make smarter decisions about how they use and maintain their vehicles. From predictive maintenance to data-driven fuel-efficiency tracking, here are the top 10 vehicle telematics trends to look out for in 2023.

Augmented reality

Augmented reality, which has become increasingly popular in many areas of our daily lives, is also being used in vehicle telematics. AR has been used in repair manuals and maintenance guides to help mechanics and drivers better understand how to make repairs and complete maintenance tasks. Newer uses of AR may also be coming in the future, including helping drivers understand where they are on a route, or helping them avoid an unexpected traffic jam.

Connected vehicles.

Connected vehicles are the most obvious trend in the world of vehicle telematics. From the connected car to autonomous vehicles, the road to fully connected vehicles is almost traveled. Connected vehicles enable the use of data for many functions including predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and fleet management. In a fully connected vehicle, all or most of the sensors that record data, such as tire pressure, fuel levels, engine temperature, and the condition of the various parts of the vehicle, are connected to a central server via a cellular data connection. This allows the vehicle to send the data in real time, meaning the driver and mechanic can use the information to make repairs and schedule maintenance more efficiently.

Predictive maintenance

With the advent of connected vehicles and the data that comes with the connection, vehicle telematics has enabled the industry to move from a reactive to a predictive approach to maintenance. Driving data, such as vehicle speed and braking habits, can be analyzed to determine whether a car might experience a problem, and when. Add to this the data available on the vehicle itself, including oil levels, tire pressure, and engine temperatures, and a much more informed picture of maintenance needs can be built. This allows the vehicle owner to plan their maintenance schedule better, and, if data shows there’s a problem, enable the mechanic to fix it more quickly and efficiently.

Automated crash reporting

The advent of autonomous vehicles has brought another important trend in vehicle telematics. Automated crash reporting has been implemented on some autonomous vehicles to make sure the data from a crash is collected and sent to the appropriate authorities. This helps to speed up the process of reporting crashes, and also makes sure data is collected correctly. This data can be used by autonomous vehicle manufacturers, regulators, and insurance companies to make sure the systems and policies around these vehicles are as safe as possible.

Connected Insurance Platforms

The insurance industry has been slow to adapt to the benefits of vehicle telematics. However, many types of insurance are now starting to embrace connected vehicles and the data they provide. In particular, telematics-based policies, where data from the vehicle is used to provide a discount or lower the premium, are becoming more common. Telematics based policies use data from the vehicle to determine an appropriate rate. This means that riskier drivers can be charged a higher premium, while safer drivers can be charged less. Telematics based insurance is also beneficial for drivers who have a poor driving history with previous insurers, or those who are new to driving.

Data-driven Fuel Efficiency Tracking

As vehicles become data-driven, they can also be used to track fuel efficiency. This can be particularly helpful for fleets, as it allows companies to track which routes have the best fuel efficiency. However, it can also be helpful for individual drivers, who can see if there are any patterns that affect fuel efficiency.

Smartphone integration

For many, the smartphone has become an essential part of life, and this is reflected in vehicle telematics, where many of the features on the device have been integrated with the car. In the past, if you wanted to be able to remotely lock or unlock your car, or set the climate control, you would need to purchase a special device. Now, many manufacturers offer this functionality through the use of a smartphone app. This allows drivers to manage many vehicle functions from their phone, and also receive alerts and other information, like the car’s fuel level, or when it’s time for a service.

Remote diagnostics

Remote diagnostics is an extremely valuable feature of vehicle telematics. If a driver is worried that their vehicle has a problem, but isn’t sure, they can connect to the vehicle via smartphone or internet and run diagnostics to see if there is an issue. This can be particularly helpful when the car breaks down in a remote location. Remote diagnostics can allow a mechanic to diagnose the problem. This can be especially helpful when the vehicle is too old to have a computer onboard. Remote diagnostics can also allow drivers to run predictive maintenance checks, to see if there are any problems that should be addressed before they become major issues.

Driver Performance Tracking

As vehicles become connected, and driving data is collected, it can also be used to identify performance trends. Some vehicles now collect driving data and use machine learning to identify trends in the data. This can help drivers understand how they are driving and provide coaching to help them improve their driving. Driver Performance Tracking can be used to identify safety issues and dangerous trends. This can be incredibly helpful, especially for new drivers, who may be unaware of how their driving affects their safety and the safety of others.

Smart Fleet Management

Fleet management is already a major use of vehicle telematics, but it is expected to grow even more in the future. Building on the capabilities of remote diagnostics, fleets can be managed more efficiently. For example, a mechanic can use the data from a vehicle that has broken down to know the location of all other vehicles in the fleet that have the same problem. This allows them to make repairs more efficiently and quickly. Fleet Management also allows fleet owners to use real-time data to see when vehicles need to be refueled, have their tires rotated, or be serviced.