How to Choose a Right Fleet Camera System

Fleet camera systems are multi-camera setups on the dashboard of vehicle cabins for monitoring the cabin, driver behavior, and immediate premises of the vehicle in movement. These systems contribute largely to the safety of the drivers on the road.

Fleet system cameras capture real-time footage of the driver and vehicle cabin from multiple angles – and send the acquired visual data to the fleet management server. This helps assess the driving behaviors of the drivers and vehicle usage, as well as evaluate the surroundings in which the vehicle is operated. This camera system helps improve the safety of the vehicles and also increases the efficiency of operation.

In this blog, we will look at the key features cameras used in fleet management systems require for enhanced functionality.

Types of Camera Systems for Fleet Vehicles

Different types of fleet camera systems are given below. Each of these has unique capabilities and features.

• Dashcams: Dashcams are the fleet camera systems that are installed on the front dash of the vehicles for a clear forward-facing view, recording road events and capturing any incidents on the road. Dashcams comes to advantage largely in case of a dispute or a legal claim. Dashcams also help detect potholes, and misplaced objects on the road. It is beneficial for safe transportation of school buses.
• 360-degree Surround View Systems: 360-degree camera systems utilize multiple cameras mounted around the vehicle—typically at the front, rear, and sides —to provide a complete, panoramic view of the vehicle’s surroundings. This is useful for larger vehicles, such as trucks and buses, as it helps drivers navigate confined spaces and avoid collisions.
• Back-up Cameras: Back-up cameras also known as reversing camera or rearview camera are used to increase the maneuverability of fleet vehicles in confined spaces or when visibility is limited. These cameras provide drivers with a clear view of what is behind the vehicle, making it easier to park and avoid obstacles.
• Interior Cameras: Interior cameras can be used to monitor the cabin for driver behavior. This helps us ensure that drivers are driving safely and responsibly. These cameras can also be used to record incidents that occur within the vehicle, such as interactions with passengers. Interior cameras are mounted inside the cabin, usually on the ceiling or near the dashboard, these cameras focus on monitoring driver activity and behavior.

Central Management System in Fleet Camera Systems

The central management system enables real-time data processing, centralized storage, and seamless integration of video feeds from cameras placed at different parts of the vehicle.

The central management system consolidates all incoming footage from dashcams, backup cameras, and interior cameras, allowing easy data retrieval and analysis. Also, for live incident tracking, the system processes incoming video data in real-time, which is crucial for immediate response. This is made possible through high-speed processing units within the central management system.

The central management system will have a centralized storage hub that manages vast volumes of data. Many modern systems employ cloud-based storage with automated backup protocols to ensure data security and accessibility. Advanced central systems include AI and ML modules for processing driver behavior patterns and predictive insights, helping prevent incidents by generating timely alerts. Fleet managers can access live feeds and recorded footage through an online portal, providing flexibility for remote monitoring across fleets stationed in various locations.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fleet Camera

Cameras are an integral unit of fleet systems. For efficient performance, choosing the camera with the right properties is important. The key camera features to consider when choosing a fleet camera are given below.

• Video Quality and Resolution: The quality and resolution of the video footage captured by the camera system are the primary requirements. Cameras that offer high-definition (HD) or 4K video quality will provide clearer and more detailed footage.
• Field of View: The field of view (FOV) of the camera system determines how much of the surrounding area the camera can capture. A larger FOV will provide a wide view of the vehicle premises.
• Low-light or Night Vision Capabilities: Many fleet vehicles operate at night or in low-light conditions. For fleet systems, cameras with advanced night vision capabilities can ensure that clear and usable footage is captured even in challenging lighting conditions.
• Durability and Weather Resistance: Fleet vehicles are often exposed to various weather conditions and can experience vibrations and impacts during operation. Sturdy, durable, weather-resistant, and IP-rated cameras can ensure uninterrupted performance in fleet systems even during adverse conditions.
• Plug and Play: For easy installation and maintenance, consider cameras that support plug-and-play functionality. This feature reduces downtime, making it easier to replace or upgrade cameras without interrupting fleet operations. Additionally, plug-and-play cameras often support hot-swapping for uninterrupted monitoring and are built to accommodate future upgrades.

For instance, e-con Systems offers a patented hot-pluggable GMSL camera system that ensures continuous host processor streaming, providing a flexible and reliable solution for demanding fleet environment.

For more details on our hot-pluggable GMSL camera solutions, check out our blog post.

• Storage Capacity and Data Management: The storage capacity of the camera system and how it will handle the large amounts of data generated is another important aspect of fleet camera systems. The backup stored data would come in handy while investigating false claims involving any accident disputes. Camera systems that offer cloud-based storage or seamless integration with fleet management software should be used for unhindered data storage and accessibility.
• Integration with Other Fleet Management Systems: The camera system chosen should be able to integrate seamlessly with existing fleet management software and other technology solutions. This will allow us to centralize data and streamline operations.
• GPS Tracking: Cameras with built-in GPS tracking can provide valuable location data, that can help monitor the movements and driving patterns of drivers or the fleet vehicles.
• Real-time Streaming: Streaming the video footage in real-time allows the remote monitoring of vehicles and the ability to respond to incidents as they happen. A camera system capable of real-time streaming can help prevent a lot of accidents or mishaps.
• Long Cable Interfaces (>15m): Fleet vehicles, especially larger ones like buses and trucks, require cameras with cable interfaces that support lengths over 15 meters. This ensures stable, high-quality data transmission from multiple cameras to the central management system, even across longer vehicle setups. Choosing extended-length interfaces minimizes signal degradation and maintains seamless connectivity. Coaxial cables, ethernet cables, GMSL, and FAKRA connectors are the preferred interfaces for fleet cameras.

Good To Have AI Capabilities in a Fleet Camera System

Fleet camera systems with AI capabilities are proven to be much more efficient and effective, as they are capable of recognizing patterns and events that occur in the course of a vehicle’s operation. AI-driven systems can also provide timely warnings and insights that will help prevent major accidents.

Given below are AI capabilities that can be integrated into the fleet camera systems for their enhanced performance.

• AI-powered Event Detection: Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can be integrated to detect and alert the drivers or fleet managers about specific events, such as hard braking, sudden lane changes, or even potential collisions.
• Driver Behavior Monitoring: Advanced deep-learning systems can analyze driver behavior, giving insights into areas for improvement and helping identify and address any safety concerns.
• Lane Departure and Collision Warnings: AI-powered image recognition or pattern recognition networks can provide important safety features, such as lane departure warnings and collision avoidance alerts.

It’s important to note that simply installing a camera system is not enough – ongoing software updates and maintenance support are essential to keep the fleet system functioning at its best.

e-con Systems – a leader in delivering custom OEM cameras

e-con Systems comes with 20+ years of experience in designing, developing, and manufacturing OEM cameras. Over the years, we have been renowned for our unparalleled prowess to customize camera solutions that fit specific product or use case needs.

Please explore the Camera Selector Page to explore e-con Systems’ end-to-end portfolio.

If you need help integrating the right cameras into your embedded vision products, please email us at camerasolutions@e-consystems.com.