Telematics Industry leader Samsara unveils groundbreaking safety features and strategic partnerships at its Go Beyond London conference.
Samsara Go Beyond conference 2024. Image: Fleetpoint
In a significant move that underscores its commitment to European fleet operations, Samsara showcased an impressive array of innovations at its Go Beyond conference in London today. The one-day event, which has drawn in hundreds of fleet operators from across the UK and Europe, demonstrated how data-driven technology is revolutionizing fleet management, with a particular focus on safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Tackling the Bridge Strike Challenge
One of the most noteworthy announcements addresses a persistent challenge in UK fleet operations: bridge strikes. With approximately 2,000 incidents occurring annually and each collision costing around £700,000, Samsara’s new Low Bridge Strike Alerting system arrives at a crucial time. The system enables fleet operators to set maximum vehicle heights and provides in-cab audio alerts when drivers approach bridges that are too low to pass safely. This development aligns with recent guidance from UK Traffic Commissioners, who have emphasized operators’ duty to prevent such incidents.
AI-Powered Drowsiness Detection Takes Centre Stage
In a significant advancement for road safety, Samsara’s newly released Drowsiness Detection feature is now available to all customers. This timely innovation addresses a critical safety concern, as fatigue is estimated to play a role in 10-20% of all crashes, according to UK road safety charity Brake.
The system leverages Samsara’s sophisticated AI models, trained on an impressive 38 billion minutes of video footage, to analyse multiple driver behaviours, including head nodding and prolonged eye closure. When signs of drowsiness are detected, the system immediately alerts drivers through in-cab notifications while simultaneously informing fleet managers via text or email.
Samsara’s drowsiness detection. Image: Samsara
Early implementation results have been remarkable, with one major U.S. oilfield services company reporting extended periods without driver fatigue-related incidents. According to their VP of Health Safety and Environment: “We used to have multiple drivers falling asleep at the wheel. Now, we’ve gone as long as 30 days without a single driver falling asleep due to these alerts.”
Privacy Mode: Balancing Safety and Driver Privacy
Responding to customer feedback, Samsara’s innovative Privacy Mode represents a breakthrough in addressing the delicate balance between safety monitoring and driver privacy concerns. This new feature allows fleet operators to maintain critical safety monitoring while respecting driver privacy preferences.
The system’s sophisticated design enables AI dash cams to continue providing safety event warnings without recording video footage. Operators can disable recording on both driver and outward-facing cameras while maintaining the AI’s ability to detect and alert drivers to potential safety concerns. This approach ensures that essential safety coaching can continue without compromising driver privacy, creating a more comfortable environment for drivers while maintaining high safety standards.
Samsara’s Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring Systems (EBPMS). Image: Samsara
Regulatory Brake Performance Compliance Made Simple
Looking ahead to April 2025’s regulatory changes, Samsara is preparing fleet operators with its new Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring Systems (EBPMS). This innovative feature continuously monitors braking performance through real-time data collection, automatically alerting operators when performance falls below acceptable levels. The system effectively reduces the need for physical laden roller brake tests, streamlining compliance while enhancing safety.
Strategic Partnership Enhances Vehicle Coverage
In a move that expands its technological capabilities, Samsara announced a strategic partnership with ACSS, the UK-based leader in commercial vehicle camera and security solutions. This collaboration integrates ACSS’s 360° cameras into the Samsara Dashboard, providing comprehensive vehicle coverage and enhanced security features.
“ACSS focuses on enhancing the safety of commercial vehicle fleets,” explains Paul Howell, Sales and Marketing Manager at ACSS. “Working with Samsara enables us to provide, for the first time, 1080p, 360-degree vehicle coverage directly into the client dashboard.”
Connected Training Drives Safety Improvements
Currently in beta testing in the UK, Samsara’s Connected Training feature delivers a data-driven approach to driver development. The system integrates seamlessly with the Samsara Driver App, allowing managers to implement comprehensive training programs directly through the platform. Early results are promising, with beta users reporting a 35% average reduction in safety events following implementation.
Customer-Driven Innovation
The impact of these developments is already evident in customer feedback. Otto Car‘s CEO, Gurinder Dhillon, praised Samsara’s commitment to innovation: “We’re not waiting for the future to come to us; we’re leaning into it, and Samsara’s technology has been instrumental in helping us achieve that goal.”
Looking Ahead
These announcements represent more than just product updates; they signal Samsara’s vision for the future of connected fleet operations. By combining AI-powered safety features, regulatory compliance tools, and strategic partnerships, Samsara is positioning itself at the forefront of fleet management innovation.
The company’s focus on customer-driven development and local market needs demonstrates its commitment to solving real-world challenges faced by fleet operators. As the industry continues to evolve, Samsara’s latest innovations suggest a future where fleet operations are not just connected, but truly intelligent, safe, and efficient.
