It has been an exciting week at Intelematics. Our years of hard work in the space of connected vehicle safety and security have been recognised by automotive manufacturer, Toyota. They are rolling out what is going to be one of Australia’s largest connected vehicle programs. To do that they have partnered with us to provide 24/7 safety and security services backed by our expertise in service delivery and our reputation for complete customer satisfaction.
On October 30th, 2020, Toyota Australia announced that it would include Automatic Collision Notification, SOS, Emergency call (eCall) and Stolen Vehicle Tracking services in the brand-new Yaris Cross and Lexus IS Sedan. Over the next three years, Toyota will equip an estimated 300,000 vehicles with this potentially life-saving technology. Where prompt connection to the emergency services (ambulance, police, and fire) can improve response times and get drivers help when they most need it. These services are powered by Intelematics technology and provided through our experienced service team.
ASURE’s role in keeping people safe
The most important applications of modern connected vehicle technologies are those keeping the vehicle occupants safe.
In the event of an automatically detected crash, a personal duress situation, or a vehicle theft, Intelematics’ ASURE safety and security services platform connects drivers to a fully trained call handler. They can see the status of the vehicle from the data it provides and focus on the immediate needs of the occupants. Intelematics works with local call centre partners and provides all the case handling software and workflows necessary to handle any high-pressure and potentially life-threatening scenarios.
Over many years, we have built strong, longstanding relationships with Australian emergency services. They know that our technology and call handlers will have followed the most appropriate procedures in each emergency, collected all the necessary information and will stay on the line to reassure the people affected.
How our solution has evolved
Intelematics has decades of experience in deploying communication platforms for connected vehicle programs for vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket.
Starting in 1999 when we launched CarCom our first in-vehicle communication and vehicle monitoring system. We then went on to be the technology partner for the first manufacturer programs, Holden Assist and Toyota Link in the early 2000s. Back then, these vehicle manufacturers provided SOS and Emergency call (eCall) services as part of the vehicle purchase price for the life of the vehicle’s warranty. At warranty end when the vehicle owner had to pay for the service, it turned out that Australians valued the extra safety and security that the service offered, and we saw re-subscription rates of 85-90%.
Later, in 2005, Intelematics helped Mitsubishi respond to an increase in vehicle theft of the highly sought-after Lancer Evo IXs. Intelematics could track, and if necessary, remotely immobilise these turbo-charged sports sedans with Mitsubishi Diamond Trac. When the priorities of vehicle manufacturers moved more towards driver information systems. Intelematics responded by transmitting real-time traffic information for Australia and New Zealand, to inbuilt vehicle satellite navigation systems with its SUNA traffic channel product.
Today Intelematics supports 75% of the Australian vehicle market with real-time traffic information.
The impact of globalisation
Embracing globalisation, vehicle manufacturers are now developing products for the global market whilst simultaneously expanding their supply chains across the globe to reach the most cost-effective jurisdictions. This has resulted in eCall becoming mandatory across Europe and safety and security programs being adopted the world over.
In Australia particularly, Intelematics is the natural local partner to best exploit this technology, with its established solutions and experienced team.
Back in 2014 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Australia awarded Intelematics with the Industry Award for the Toyota Link Telematics App Suite. A then world-leading approach to in-vehicle connected technology.
This safety and security partnership with Toyota has now strengthened with the release of the new connected Toyota and Lexus vehicles to create Australia’s premier connected vehicle program.
