Medequip rolls out CameraMatics technology to improve van fleet safety and efficiency

For fleets delivering essential services, van fleet safety protects the drivers on the road and the people waiting for them at the other end. Medequip’s rollout of CameraMatics across 350 vans puts both at the heart of its operation.

News summary

• Medequip is introducing CameraMatics’ AI-powered driver safety solutions – including in-cab cameras and a full suite of advanced telematics – across an initial order of 350 vans in the company’s 1,000 strong fleet.
• Through a single platform, Medequip can access AI-powered camera feeds to provide real-time insight into driver behaviour, alongside a wealth of data relating to fleet analytics, vehicle utilisation and operational performance.
• Following a competitive tender, the rollout is designed to improve driver performance and safety, whilst strengthening compliance and adding a layer of protection in the event of accident and insurance claims.

CameraMatics has won a competitive tender to supply its AI-powered technology into community equipment services provider, Medequip, helping to deliver increased protection and support for its drivers, as well as improve performance, strengthen compliance and enhance the operational efficiency of 350 3.5-tonne vans within its fleet.

The rollout will see each vehicle fitted with CameraMatics’ Genie Pro in-cab AI-powered driver welfare technology, backed by a full telematics package. Combined, the systems will provide Medequip’s fleet managers with full operational oversight, while drivers will benefit from enhanced safety and risk management, improved training opportunities and a source of evidence to support any incident investigations or disputed insurance claims.

Richard Horton, Head of Fleet at Medequip, says: “We’ve used a competitor camera and telematics system in the past, but it wasn’t until we were shown what CameraMatics could do that we really understood what a well-thought-out platform could truly deliver. It places the driver at the centre of everything, which reinforces the focus we place on duty of care, whilst helping us build a safer, more efficient operation.”

Van fleet safety

Van fleet safety is at the heart of this partnership. CameraMatics’ AI-powered driver welfare technology includes cameras which act as a co-pilot in the van’s cab, constantly monitoring events both inside and out. The system analyses driver behaviour – for example if they are distracted and not focused on the road ahead, alongside signs of fatigue including prolonged eye closure or yawning – while also observing conditions outside for potential hazards or vulnerable road users. When a potential risk is detected, an in-cab audio alert ensures there is time to react before an incident can occur.

“Although some colleagues were initially sceptical, each driver’s view of the system rapidly changed when they saw what it can do. Once they realised that no one is going to be tracking and monitoring their every move, they understood how the cameras will play an important role in improving their own performance and safety behind the wheel,” adds Horton.

How CameraMatics supports van fleet safety

CameraMatics’ powerful telematics support was a key component of the deal, providing Medequip with an intuitive dashboard that delivers a wealth of data and functionality, including route optimisation, asset utilisation and total oversight on individual vehicle status, all designed to ensure full fleet compliance, increased operational efficiency and improved safety.

Combined with the camera footage, which can be viewed and downloaded remotely, the telematics data can be used to help improve driver performance by highlighting persistent harsh driving events, alongside the ability to review near misses or analyse any incident. This insight helps to instil a more risk averse attitude from its drivers, ensuring the business can build a greater safety culture across the fleet.

The future of the partnership

Medequip operates around 1,000 commercial vehicles, spread across 90 depots nationwide. The 350 vans fitted with CameraMatics technology will initially be monitored by Medequip’s central fleet management team, with a plan in time to pass that control to individual depot managers.

“We’ve received an incredible level of aftersales support from everyone at CameraMatics; it’s another thing that has set them apart. This will be even more important when we start introducing the system to individual depots, as we want our regional fleet managers to take full advantage of the huge array of tools at their disposal,” adds Horton.

“With some of the previous systems we’ve used, we were just left to our own devices to drown in data, with no idea how to access the information we actually needed. With CameraMatics, it’s the complete opposite, the interface is intuitive, everything you need is at your fingertips and the team is always available to help get the most out of the platform.”

The rollout of the new systems is being managed by CameraMatics’ nationwide installation engineers, each used to planning large scale fleet deployments around individual depot and driver schedules.

Founded in 1993, Medequip – which also includes the Ross Care and Consolor brands within its portfolio – provides support services to local authorities and the NHS across the UK. Making more than 1.5 million visits to customers each year, its drivers deliver a wide range of homecare medical equipment to help people maintain their independence for longer.