Video telematics provider SmartWitness has announced its edge‐based advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) camera that captures video and engine Canbus data in a single cellphone‐sized, plug‐and‐play unit, eliminating the time, expense, and space required to purchase, install, and maintain separate camera and telematics devices.
The SmartWitness AP1 road‐facing camera also combines driver‐friendly features such as artificial intelligence that reduces false reports of risky driving behavior, audible alerts to drivers in the event of an imminent accident, and mobile apps for device configuration and on‐the‐spot driver retrieval of accident video. Other features include assisted GPS support, a compact form factor that doesn’t block driver views, and a new standard for ease of use.
This design reduces the cost and complexity of video telematics, enabling fleets to realize critical benefits such as visual chain‐of‐evidence when accidents occur, the ability to exonerate drivers who are not at fault in accident situations, identification of risky driving behaviors to improve safety through coaching, and a reduction in accident, litigation, and insurance‐related fleet costs. Fleets also have the option to use AP1 in conjunction with existing telematics devices to achieve the same benefits.
Two devices in one: AP1 a 4G LTE ADAS camera that captures video and telematics data in a one‐piece unit, simplifying video telematics deployments by eliminating the need to install two hardware devices in truck cabs as well as the extra step of combining data from both devices on the server. In addition to GPS information logged by other ADAS cameras, SmartWitness’ AP1 pulls other critical data such as ignition, engine load, odometer, and much more from the vehicle’s onboard computer and combines it with video.
15‐minute installation: The SmartWitness AP1 camera can be installed in as little as 15 minutes with a simple windshield adhesive mount, reducing deployment time and associated expenses by as much as two‐thirds. Additional savings are achieved by eliminating separate telematics hardware. The unit connects to the vehicle’s OBDII port, requires no separate power step‐down, and utilizes a mobile app for ADAS calibration. A version for heavy‐duty trucks (J‐1939 connection) will be released later this year.
Do‐it‐yourself configuration and video retrieval apps: AP1’s companion mobile apps bring additional innovation to the video telematics space. One app provides a step‐by‐step guide to configuring the camera for ADAS capability, with no technical knowledge required. The other allows drivers to retrieve video from a traffic incident on the spot without removing the camera’s SD card to help meet 24‐hour deadlines for filing insurance claims, provide visual evidence at the scene, and more.
Critical ADAS functions: AP1 focuses on preventing four top accident causes by providing forward proximity warnings (for low‐speed object or vehicle avoidance), forward collision warnings (indicating an imminent collision), forward vehicle start alerts (if the vehicle in front is moving forward while the driver remains stopped), and lane departure warnings (when the driver crosses a solid lane line). Images captured by the camera are analyzed in real time, triggering audible warnings that help keep drivers safe and alert.
Assisted GPS: In the event a vehicle is surrounded by tall buildings, driving in bad weather conditions, or otherwise not in line of sight of a satellite, AP1 draws data from local cell towers to triangulate the vehicle’s location. This assisted GPS technology ensures the AP1 software records vehicle location data even when the camera’s GPS receiver cannot capture a signal, providing complete GPS documentation to support accident investigations.
AI and other driver‐friendly features: As a dashcam with no driver‐facing camera, AP1 is an ideal option for fleets encountering driver resistance to being watched while driving. The SmartWitness artificial intelligence driving events (AIDE) software included with all SmartWitness cameras further reduces conflict with drivers by dramatically reducing false positives that cause erroneous reports of risky driving behavior, unnecessary driver coaching sessions, and distrust in the accuracy of the product, while also saving fleet managers hours of time wasted in reviewing videos with no driving infractions. Drivers also gain key safety and legal protections, including ADAS audio notifications that help prevent accidents and HD video evidence that can potentially absolve them of responsibility in the event of an accident.
The SmartWitness AP1 records HD (1080p) video at 30 FPS with a 128‐degree field of vision, contains an SD card with a 64 GB storage capacity, and measures 122mm x 96mm x 29mm.
