Orbcomm announced new features for its truck telematics management solution, including a cargo-camera sensor and one to make sure drivers pick up the correct refrigerated trailers.

During a press conference at the American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, Orbcomm announced:

Cargo Camera Sensor

A wired ceiling-mounted camera roughly the size of a smart phone device provides a full inner view of the trailer, even with the doors closed and in total darkness. Images can reveal load/unload status, shifted cargo, cargo or asset damage, the presence of dunnage and cleanout verification.

The camera can send images to the back office when the trailer’s door is opened or closed while paired with a door sensor as well as when the driver begins or ends a move. Image capture can also be triggered remotely at any time so dispatch can see the status of the trailer.

“The camera is meant to pair with our trailer tracking products, which actually transmit the images to the back-end" said Eric Witty, Orbcomm's senior director for product management. “The on-demand feature allows customers scan trailers for load status rather than doing a physical yard check to ensure it's in the status they think it is.”

Orbcomm’s latest camera technology can immediately identify the status of a trailer with images that show load and unload progress, load shift, cargo or asset damage, dunnage and cleanout verification. The device can send images to the back office when the trailer’s door is opened or closed while paired with a door sensor, as well as when the driver begins or ends a move. Image capture can be triggered manually from the back office at any time so dispatch can see the status of the trailer when needed. With its large storage capacity, the sensor can capture, store and transmit hundreds of images.

Tractor ID Sensor for Refrigerated Trailers

Building on Orbcomm’s Bluetooth and radar filtering technology for its Tractor ID sensor targeted for dry vans, this new sensor integrates with Orbcomm’s refrigerated trailer solution to address incorrect tractor-trailer pairing. The Tractor ID sensor ensures the tractor will connect to the desired trailer, while filtering out nearby trailers that could otherwise lead to inaccurate pairings.

“The use case is positive and immediate confirmation of tractor-trailer pairing,” Witty said. “When the driver backs under the trailer, we immediately recognize the pairing send a message to the back office.”

Safety and Maintenance Integrations

Orbcomm completed a new integration with Bendix focused on fleet safety and collision avoidance. Bendix’s software collects and transmits safety data and video of severe events off the vehicle along with driver identification and transforms it into actionable information in real time. With Bendix, Orbcomm customers can assess driving trends and develop targeted driver training.

Orbcomm is also partnering with Noregon and its TripVision software, adding trailer maintenance to provide a complete picture of fleet health.