Telematics is an interdisciplinary field that combines telecommunications, vehicular technologies, electrical engineering, and computer science. It involves the use of communications and IT to transmit, store, and receive information from devices to remote objects over a network. Telematics systems collect data using GPS technology, sensors, and onboard diagnostic codes. The data includes real-time engine diagnostics, vehicle location, driver behavior, and vehicle activity. Telematics devices retrieve data generated by the vehicle, such as GPS position, speed, engine light information, and faults, and send it to the cloud. The data can be processed and analyzed with a telematics device and other connected hardware or sensors.
Telematics can involve any of the following:
- The technology of sending, receiving, and storing information using telecommunication devices to control remote objects
- The integrated use of telecommunications and informatics for application in vehicles and to control vehicles on the move
Telematics has several applications, including:
- Fleet management: Telematics can help companies monitor their vehicle fleets and drivers.
- Insurance risk assessment: Insurance companies can use telematics to monitor driver behavior, allowing them to more accurately determine risk factors and adjust insurance premiums accordingly.
- Road safety: Telematics can be used to improve road safety by monitoring driver behavior and providing real-time feedback.
The word "telematics" is a blend of two terms: "telecommunication" and "informatics". It was coined by French authors Simon Nora and Alain Minc in their 1978 report, "Linformatisation de la Societe," which forecasted the influence technology would have on society.
