TPMS + Telematics: Real-Time Data for Fleets & ADAS Integration

In today’s evolving landscape of transport, it’s always important to stay ahead of technical challenges that could affect a fleet’s performance. Whether running a large fleet of trucks or handling an organization with multiple vehicles, it’s essential to understand the importance of TPMS and Telematics.

Additionally, vehicle owners and fleet managers must learn how Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) work at the intersection of these two advanced technologies.

A combination of Commercial vehicle telematics, ADAS, and tyre pressure monitoring systems helps prevent accidents. Furthermore, these are essential to the performance of a large commercial fleet and its timely maintenance.

In this article, we have explored how the integration of TPMS, telematics, and ADAS ensures safe driving, better fleet management, and improved driving experience for large vehicle owners and fleet managers.

Understanding TPMS

TPMS is an innovative approach to maintaining vehicle performance by tracking the tyre pressure in real time. The technology involves using an electronic system that monitors the tyre pressure of a vehicle in real time. TPMS is becoming widely available. You’ll find then in a luxury bus tyre, trucks, and other vehicle types.

It’s essential for enhancing truck/vehicle’s on-road efficiency of trucks/vehicles. TPMS technology also enhances vehicle safety by tracking whether the tyres are overinflated or underinflated.

The data tyre pressure monitoring systems help maintain proper air pressure in the tyres to ensure safe driving and reduce the chances of accidents. Proper air pressure management of the tyre also reduces rolling resistance, improving fuel efficiency and the tyre’s lifespan simultaneously.

How does TPMS Data Work?

Large vehicle fleets and transport companies are sure to rely on this technology in combination with telematics and other solutions for efficient fleet management.

1. TPMS Data

The first stage involves gathering data from the sensors implanted inside the tyre. It tracks and monitors tire pressure and temperature and sends the data wirelessly to the vehicle’s existing system.

2. Telematics Hub

This data is then transmitted to the telematics device. It’s typically a combination of GPS and onboard diagnostics.

3. Cloud Platform

The data from the telematics device is then sent off to the fleet management platform that’s hosted on the cloud. The cloud platform uses the data for analysis and sends it to the fleet manager.

4. ADAS Integration

The data is integrated with ADAS, which uses information to help prevent accidents, like warning of low tire pressure and possible issues with handling.

Understanding Telematics

Telematics is the combined use of telecommunication and information to collect, transmit, and analyze information from different objects. It collects information from different assets like equipment, vehicles, and other assets.

This information works like a comprehensive analysis of the performance and the behavior of the vehicle’s health. It helps in optimizing operations, improving safety, and reducing costs. Furthermore, Telematics plays a critical role in managing assets in different industries such as fleets, construction, and insurance.

Key Components of Telematics

While the features and functions of telematics are intriguing, it’s actually a combination of disparate technological components. The following are the technologies that make the functions of telematics possible.

Here, let’s break down all the things that form the telematics technology.

GPS Receiver: It tracks the location of the vehicle and stores historical route data. Engine interface

Engine Interface: The engine interface connects to the vehicle’s Controller Area Network(CAN). It helps extract engine data, RPM, speed, temperature, and the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

Wireless Data Transmitter: This is typically a cellular modem coming with a SIM card, sending out data to the cloud. Some systems also rely on a satellite-based modem.

Sensors & Peripherals: Senors and peripherals are optional. These are add-ons such as temperature sensors for cold chain logistics, and in-cabin video systems.

Cloud-Based Software Platform: A cloud-based software platform is what keeps the entire telematics system connected and operational. It’s also seen as the command center for the fleet manager who’s responsible for overseeing the fleet with maps, geofencing devices, reports, and drivers’ scorecards. An integration with ERP and TMS is also part of the telematics.

The Functions of Telematics

While the tyre pressure monitoring systems help gather necessary information for the telematics to accomplish specific functions. Some of them include:

• Real-time tire data and GPS help with location tracking.
• Monitoring driver behavior–whether they are driving harshly, accelerating, cornering, or braking.
• Engine diagnostic tracking and fault codes tracking.
• Managing fuel consumption and idling.
• Sending out Alerts to prevent potential damage.
• Measuring carbon emission rate and sustainability metrics.
• Creating electronic driver logs to maintain compliance.

Understanding ADAS

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are smart technologies built inside vehicles to improve safety, reduce accidents, and support drivers while they are on the road. In simple words, it’s like a digital co-driver that hardly blinks, gets tired, and processes danger faster than normal human capabilities.

These systems utilize a mix of different types of sensors, AI, and real-time data pulled from the vehicle using tyre pressure monitoring systems and other sensors. The main job of the ADAS is to reduce the amount of human errors. It helps predict, prevent, and respond to difficult and dangerous situations.

ADAS exists to automate some aspects of driving and minimize common human errors. This approach of the ADAS reduces 90% of total accidents globally.

ADAS Integration: Why Tire Data is a Critical Input

ADAS systems—ranging from Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control to Collision Avoidance—depend on accurate inputs from the sensors to make real-time decisions while driving. However, the tire conditions directly impact the effectiveness of the ADAS.

Braking Distance Calculation

Emergency braking algorithms are accurate when the tires maintain expected traction under the existing inflation conditions. Low pressure is responsible for stopping distances.

Stability Control & Lane-Keeping

Advanced ESC (Electronic Stability Control) modules constantly depend on tire-road friction. When there’s a miscalculation regarding the tire conditions, it leads to system errors when cornering or during lane correction.

Adaptive Cruise & Load Control

Tire inflation has a significant role to play in axle balance and payload stability. ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control must account for the real-time dynamics such as these.

Long story short, vehicles can adjust behaviors drastically and dynamically through a well-planned integration between TPMS+Telematics and ADAS. Controlling maximum speed, adjustments in aggressive braking, and sending a warning to the driver when the vehicle is in risky and unstable driving conditions are among the common functions of this integration.

TPMS + Telematics: Real-Time Integration Between Fleet & ADAS

ADAS integration with tyre pressure monitoring systems ensures that fleet telematics work perfectly and eradicate possible challenges that could occur due to lower inflated tyres. Here’s a more detailed overview of how large fleets and vehicles benefit from this integration:

Improved Safety

Real-time alerts for low tire pressure reduce the risk of blowouts and improve handling. Integrated TPMS data assists the ADAS system in detecting potential hazards such as unsafe driving conditions, which are caused by improper tire inflation, alerting the driver and so on.

Improved Efficiency & Cost Savings

Preventive maintenance of the tire based on real-time data gathered through tyre pressure monitoring systems reduces the chances of unexpected breakdown and maintenance costs.

Proactive Driver Management

Fleet managers have better visibility over the tyres thanks to remote and cloud-based monitoring systems. They can look into data to check the driver’s behaviors and the conditions of the vehicle. Proactive driver management leads to efficient vehicle maintenance and a reduced rate of accidents in the fleet.

Coaching Drivers

What’s more, Tire monitoring systems and connected vehicle technology provide key observations over the driver’s efficiency. The data pulled out from these systems helps tailor coaching programs for drivers to improve their driving skills. TPMS and ADAS are essential to teaching drivers how to manage tire health.

Driving has Become Autonomous.

As more vehicle and driver management technologies and software come in, fleet management and vehicle management become easier. An integration between TPMS + Telematics + ADAS is also ushering in the age of V2X (vehicle-to-everything) systems. With the upcoming and more advanced systems, vehicles will do more than simply monitor tyre pressure. The vehicles will also communicate with the fleet control centers, road infrastructure, and nearby vehicles.

These innovative technologies are not only improving driving conditions, but the combination of these solutions is ushering in the age of autonomous fleets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Different Types of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems?

A: There are two different types of TPMS sensors. The small sensors are the direct sensors. These are wireless devices inside each tire. It reports the tire’s pressure reading to the cloud dashboard. Indirect sensors, on the other hand, measure wheel spin and tell when the tyre pressure is getting lower than standard.

Is TPMS Mandatory in India?

A: Although TPMS has been mandatory in the US and the EU since 2007 and 2012, it’s still not mandatory in India. However, premium and modern vehicles are increasingly adopting TPMS as a new feature.

Is it Possible to Change Tires with TPMS?

A: It depends on the sensor type of the TPMS your vehicle tyres use. On direct TPMS, there’s an automatic readjusting system allowing the vehicle to reset sensors once the tires are changed.