[TusharK]

Mahindra has launched its iMAXX telematics platform for BS6 commercial vehicles. The connected vehicle technology will be available in the Blazo X range of HCVs, Furio range of ICVs and LCVs as well as in Cruzio range of buses.



According to Mahindra, iMAXX uses Dual CAN (Controller Area Network), 4G, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to provide information on vehicle health and performance. The system is claimed to improve productivity / fleet utilization and safety as well as lower costs of operations.

The Mahindra iMAXX embedded device is said to capture large scale, high frequency engine and allied system data securely and transmit on a real-time basis over 4G. Compared to older systems, on an average, it can transmit 600% more data. Further, Mahindra's digital twin platform uses machine learning to provide accurate and reliable data.

The artificial intelligence built into the system can predict mechanical issues. In one such case, the system was able to predict an engine cooling system issue 33 hours prior to it actually occurring. The predictive alert system helps fleet operators avoid major breakdowns.

According to the company, BS4 fleet customers are achieving upwards of 10% improvement in fuel economy across their fleet. Some customers are achieving 100% asset productivity improvements in terms of kilometers driven per vehicle per day.

Link to Team-BHP News

[ohaak]

These systems are limited by design as they depend on central server and connectivity for any useful data. Manufacturers needs to move the intelligence to the vehicle itself by putting in a new computer that can manage these predictive alerts. There are technological frameworks available that enable AI on the edge devices and the AI models can be improved on central server and updated models can be remotely sent to edge devices to make them even better. An example is the GBoard keyboard on smart phones that make decisions on the phone, but send meta data to the central server and get better via updates from central server.

Ignoring 4G for a minute, mobile connectivity by itself is quite flaky in India.

[haisaikat]

Even if this is online dependent, I see the primary benefit will be huge to fleet owners and control room to give real time vehicle data and put the control or flexibility away from drivers (misuses and abuses) including but not limited to fuel or adBlue theft, unauthorized parts replacement, etc.

Timely and more predictable journey will benefit manufacturing, energy and logistics sector to a large extent.

Secondary benefit will be to M&M, services will be more predictable and they can plan on optimized service network in terms of locations or work force. Also they can pass on part of the cost of the infrastructure to the customers by selling them various level of monitoring and tracking packages and plans.