Interview A growth in the adoption of electric vehicles is an interesting opportunity for TSPs. Telematics is important in the EV industry, since there are key requirements: 1. Charging Analytics and EV Energy Usage: Telematics can help monitoring the charge level, battery health and provide valuable data required to improve the vehicle algorithms. Continuous updates and advancements on charging time, battery size and weight are being taken up by EV manufacturers. 2. Fleet Management and route mapping: A lot of last mile delivery trucks are now powered through batteries. Field service managers can work through an effective route management, benchmark vehicle utilization and measure whether their plans of reducing costs and emissions. 3. Firmware Update: With continuous advancements on the charging algorithms and software of an electric vehicle, TSPs can provision for firmware updates of the EV Software . In addition to legacy GPS Tracking, there are more attractive opportunities such as more data driven usage-based insurance (UBI), fleet maintenance, route scheduling of fleet and driver insights. This allows the TSPs to increase value of their offerings, thereby increasing their total market cap. How long do you see the business for TSPs in vehicle telematics aftermarket?
Ever evolving use cases do not offer a stiff business timeline for the TSPs. However, it is important for TSPs to make a modular and agnostic platform which can be used in applications ranging from passenger vehicles tracking through monitoring efficiency of electric tractors. TSP also need to work with various OEM on their telematics roadmap and build their value proposition. TSPs need to work with tandem in OEM on building their telematics product. Every OEM has their individual requirements based on the car architecture, privacy requirements, analytics, regional go-to-market strategies. Vehicles are also transitioning more to a Software Defined Car, where new connectivity, automation, and personalization features will be increasingly implemented with software in the future. Therefore, our belief is that there is significant potential and value for the TSPs in
the long term, provided TSPs are willing to rapidly evolve and adapt to new business models and opportunities.
Can you share something about your TCU? TSPs focus on building analytics and dashboards, and iWave supports TSPs with rugged and reliable telematics hardware. We design and manufacture telematics control units, telematics gateway and V2X Connectivity Solutions to cater to the growing telematics applications. The telematic gateway and telematics control unit is fit with 4 CAN Interfaces and a plethora of wired interfaces such as RS485, RS232 and analog inputs, finding a fit into different telematics and connected vehicle applications. With multiple wireless connectivity options such as 4G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the gateway can power advanced telematics applications while bringing intelligence to the edge. The V2X Hub is designed to enable the connect between Smart Cities and Connected Mobility. Integrated with C-V2X and DSRC technologies, the hybrid V2X Connectivity hub can be positioned as an On-Board Unit within the vehicles, as well as a Road-Side Unit to fit into external infrastructure.
What’s the way forward for TSP? Soon, we can expect car manufacturers to continue advancing vehicle connectivity by further integrating smart features into telematics systems and adding functions that improve safety like emergency services, location tracking and vehicle diagnostics. As we become accustomed to using these services and place a high value on them, it may not be long before vehicle telematics becomes a major point of consideration when we are shopping for a new vehicle or monitoring an older one. All these applications require fast data transmission, analysis, and implementation which stretches the opportunities for telematics service providers (TSPs). Though there has been a change in vehicle architecture, the telematics value and ecosystem is poised to play an important role in the software defined vehicle. Therefore, it is equally important for TSPs to play a prominent role in building the ecosystem, upgrade their offerings to evolving data driven use cases and adapt to the different business models.
VE Commercial Vehicles Limited spokesperson The year began with a positive yet cautious outlook with strong volumes for the period Jan-Mar 2021. Due to a state-wise approach to the lockdown imposed to contain the devastating wave 2 COVID pandemic, the impact on truck transportation was mitigated to some extent. We have since July seen a month-on-month recovery in the Indian economy mirrored in the commercial vehicle industry. The growth in HD segment is being driven by the investment in the infrastructure and construction. Likewise, the LMD sales gained traction on the back of demand from rural economy, festive season and boom the e-commerce industry. Bus operations have been the slowest to begin recovery as work-from-home, travel restrictions and school closures have continued in response to the pandemic. VECV witnessed 64.2% overall growth over last year(till Nov’21). In LMD, we have a market share of 30.2%, in HD 7.4% and in buses 17.2%. While the industry is gaining traction the sector had to face a lot of headwinds such sas hortage of chips which impacted multiple industries, including the automotive industry globally. We expect this to gradually ease as supplies of semiconductors improves. In addition, the industry has also been facing challenges owing to higher prices of commodities such as steel, aluminum, copper and precious metals. The industry is also wary of the looming threat of the third wave. However, with 150 crores vaccines already administered under the nation-wide vaccination drive, we are hopeful.
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