Provide a bit of background about what Michelin Connected Fleet does?
Michelin Connected Fleet provides customers with insights from captured vehicle data. We help fleets to navigate the challenge of turning the ever-increasing level of vehicle connectivity into manageable and practical actions, allowing cost effective, safe, compliant and sustainable operations. Our approach is partnership: we work with fleets to meet their needs, combining the real-life data from their drivers and vehicles with support from our expert Customer Experience team to facilitate informed, effective decision-making.
Could you describe how artificial intelligence (AI) cameras help aid safety and legal compliance?
Safety is one of the key concerns customers have: this can be the wellbeing of their drivers, the safety of their fleet and that of other road users. AI cameras help fleets be more proactive in their approach to vehicle safety. By utilising the technology, drivers can receive alerts about hazards and risks around their vehicle. Alternatively, fleets gain insights into how their vehicles are being driven, including whether their drivers are distracted, fatigued or using mobile phones illegally.
AI technology allows immediate action to be taken, i.e. sending a prompt telling the driver to take a break because they are tired, or it can be used as a powerful training aid. With the latter, potentially risky situations captured by the technology can be reviewed and drivers coached to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence.
What has been the feedback from operators regarding your recently launched Smart Predictive Tire product?
The feedback has been incredibly positive, with adoption by fleets across Europe. Customers are starting to see the opportunity to combine tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and tread wear information with traditional telematics data. This ‘single point’ allows them to focus on reducing costly breakdowns and downtime linked to tyres. Proactivity with tyres is paramount, as once a vehicle leaves a depot a large element of control is removed from the operator’s hands.
Smart Predictive Tire delivers alerts and updates on potential issues before they happen, allowing effective management of a puncture risk or low tyre tread to reduce the chances of failure.
How are you assisting operators with the transition to electric vehicles?
Our approach varies from fleet to fleet depending on where they are on their decarbonisation journey. However, like many of our solutions it’s driven by real-life fleet data. We look at a multitude of information and our Customer Experience team then suggests which conventionally powered vehicles could be switched for EV without an operational impact.
We also advise on how purchase or leasing choices can help accelerate the transition to EVs; the development of charging policies based upon available charging infrastructure; and advise on driving styles to maximise battery performance and address issues such as range anxiety.
How does membership of the SMMT benefit Michelin Connected Fleet?
Our membership of the SMMT is something that we’ve found to be incredibly beneficial. In an ever-changing world it’s vital for us as partners of fleets and OEMs to be on top of the challenges and opportunities faced by customers so that we can offer impactful solutions. Thanks to its wide range of contributors and members, SMMT is a key resource for us to achieve this, highlighting the latest trends, developments and thought leadership.
Matt Childs, Marketing Manager at Michelin Connected Fleet
