The Kiwi born, but now Illinois-based fleet telematics specialists, Navman Wireless has launched its new Qube 4 GPS fleet tracking unit, allowing fleet managers to track vehicles and assets, even when out of cellular range, using satellite communications.
Aside from commercial line-haul and fleet applications, businesses operating in remote locations, with limited mobile connectivity – such as forestry or construction companies – will benefit, claims Navman Wireless, as the system has satellite communication capability. Default mode connection is via a cellular network but this can be switched to satellite communication as vehicles move outside mobile areas.
Ian Daniel, vice president, Asia Pacific told DIESELtalk yesterday that the Qube 4 is timely. “Following a spate of recent incidents involving trucks, the health and safety of truck drivers has featured in the news. The Qube 4’s satellite capability means location of vehicles is always tracked – even those locations not covered by cellular networks.”
Within the transport industry, health and safety compliance standards are paramount and ever more stringent, Daniel says. “In the trucking, forestry and construction industry, ensuring the health and safety of drivers is critical, as this work is usually carried out in remote locations.”
Fleet operators increasingly require GPS transport technology to manage safety around mobile workers, and to help them achieve a good Operator Ratings System mark.
Explaining the key upgrades over the previous generation of Navman commercial GPS products, Daniel tells DIESELtalk that “adding satellite communications to the Qube 4 means vehicles can be tracked in any location, no matter how remote”.
The Qube 4’s increased number of geofences, a critical telematics element allowing users to pre-set zones, triggering an SMS or email warning when crossed, is also a significant enhancement. “For businesses needing to track movement in and out of multiple sites the Qube 4 offers capacity to set up to 600 geofences,” says Daniel.
While Daniel regards the target market as being any industry “where the health and safety of mobile workers is critical – mining, health boards, forestry, construction, utilities, lines services and transport” – Qube 4 is also targeted to ‘tools-of-trade’ vehicle fleets operating in remote locations, such as health boards, local councils or even the good old sales representative traveling to remote areas of New Zealand.
The Navman Qube 4 is available through TR Telematics and the Navman Wireless dealer channel throughout New Zealand.
