Drive style monitoring software now standard on Sprinter and Vito Tourer
Added: 11 September 2019
The latest research from Mercedes-Benz Vans into connected vehicle trends shows that, increasingly, fleets are using software to monitor driving standards. Nearly two-thirds of fleet and SME customers surveyed said they wanted to use telematics or connected vehicle technology for this purpose.
To support SME and fleet customers, Mercedes-Benz Vans will offer this feature for free in the Sprinter and Vito. In the case of the Sprinter, the feature can be remotely retrofitted to existing vehicles by the customer using ‘over-the-air’ software updates.
The function enables a multitude of vehicle data for each individual trip, and a holistic view of the whole fleet to be interrogated by vehicle managers. The data points include acceleration behaviour analysis, anticipatory driving behaviour, coasting and smooth driving analysis. In addition, safety critical data such as harsh cornering and braking warnings are shown to the fleet manager instantly.
Analysis of driving behaviour data can identify trends which can be addressed to improve safe driving practices. Fleet managers can ascertain the safest depots, regions or individual drivers using the Mercedes PRO connect driver’s app.
It’s also possible for drivers to maximise the longevity of certain wear-and-tear components, such as brake pads and discs if these parameters are known to them and vehicle managers put in measures to improve safe driving performance.
“With more than 4.2 million vans on the UK’s roads, it is essential that van drivers operate their vehicles in a safe, efficient, and compliant manner”, commented Mark Cartwright, Head of Vans & Light Commercial Vehicles at the FTA. “The drive style monitoring solution will provide businesses with the toolkit they need to analyse driver behaviour and identify areas where improvement is needed.”
Steve Bridge, the MD of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, added: “We are extremely proud of our connectivity solution and have therefore decided to include at no cost to our customers. Keeping their businesses moving is our priority, and now company owners and vehicle managers can spend less time worrying about the vans and drivers, and more on their business and customers.”
Mercedes PRO connect is Mercedes-Benz Vans’ class-leading connected vehicle software, which is offered for free for three years with every Sprinter (from 06/2018 production onwards) and Vito (from 05/2019 production onwards). Mercedes PRO connect offers a variety of functions including Emergency Call System (eCall), GPS tracking, theft warnings, fuel economy monitoring, service monitoring and telediagnostics among its array of services.
Article Author - Ignition - September 2019