Bosch adds Internet of Things power to fleet management

Bosch Automotive Aftermarket (AA), a part of German auto component major Robert Bosch, is setting new standards with its global solutions like Connected Vehicles, Connected Workshop, and Intelligent Fleet Management.

Irrespective of time or location, the system allows users to monitor, analyse, and manage their vehicles faster, more directly, and in greater detail before using the centrally processed telematics data.

Bosch AA regional president Guenter Weber said the company wants to contribute towards making automotive technology experience safer, cleaner, and economical. “Indian consumers are evolving and looking for affordable driving, fuel economy, social maintenance, informed drivability, and more individuality. Smart mobility and aggregators have made a deeper impact on the consumer. So there should be need for disruptions and new platforms where consumers can be taken on board,” he said.

Weber said the internet of things (IoT) has changed the technology landscape dramatically. “Connecting devices and things through the internet opens up new insights and services that will impact the world in a significant manner. Bosch’s connected vehicle ecosystem delivers real-time data and analysis of the vehicle to the customer, directly and instantly to manage their vehicles and processes efficiently,” he said.

The connected package

Bosch has made an impact with connected cloud service solutions which help develop one system to control and manage the entire vehicle. It includes platforms and apps, Bosch call centres, Bosch workshop network, telematic hardwares, big data analytics, and vehicle diagnostics.

For this connected vehicle, telematics data is transmitted via internet and processed centrally to provide full transparency regarding the vehicle fleet, ensuring that the vehicle always stays connected and the owners are always on the know.

A key element is the connected fleet management system which is a compact, cost-effective, Bosch Telematics Hardware. Easily retrofitted to any vehicle, this device provides real-time insights, including maintenance information.

According to AA’s Automotive Service Solution Business Head Abhijit Kallianpur, using the information collected by the system, fleet managers can take better decisions quickly and improve their vehicle’s performance. “It allows the user to stay on top of a variety of everyday issues like logistics, efficiency, and cost. Clients will receive instant alerts about maintenance, malfunctions, accidents or any damages that require immediate attention,” he said. The system also provides theft surveillance and notification. “If a driver takes deviation it will alert the fleet manager and monitors his driving habits to give feedback also,” he said. Besides mileage reports and accident reporting, this solution helps in geofencing and accident notification.

“We have piloted this project with few B-to-B customers and OEMs in the country. It has given tremendous response. We are building the ecosystem and once the policy framework is in place, we can deploy these services easily,” said Kallianpur.

As part of this initiative, Bosch has already established a data centre in Bengaluru. “The data centre was established two years ago and we are developing various services on top of it. B-to-C services will also get started soon. The service is also extended to the mobile,” he said. To ramp up its research and build new tools, Bosch AA has also decided to constitute a Connected Cloud Service Lab in Bengaluru.