Vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions company Netstar is leading the way in modern logistics and materials handling operations with its innovations in AI and additional fleet management services, says Netstar Global Fleet Bureau Services GM Mark Forbes.

The company is improving its Dashcam product’s capabilities by incorporating AI technology and fleet management solutions to enhance driver safety and protect road users and assets.

The Dashcam – a product developed to detect and deter the risk of accidents caused by driver fatigue – is a monitoring device that uses an AI engine to detect micro-signals linked to driver fatigue and alert the control room and the driver.

“At Netstar, driver fatigue is monitored in real time, with real-time activations of the vehicle’s cameras in the control room when driver fatigue is detected,” says Forbes.

The Dashcam can also benefit the logistics sector by enabling logistics or fleet managers to decide on a driver’s behaviour, as well as send a driver for additional training and/or counselling. This would, overall, assist in improving driver behaviour, aligned with company standards, to ensure driver safety.

Forbes highlights various other developments in AI related to Netstar’s materials handling solutions, such as the network operations centre for clients who require asset monitoring. This could include monitoring the transfer points of raw materials from mining operations, processed materials and waste handling, as well as monitoring other supply chain and logistics processes.

Additionally, AI systems can inform operators of changes in cargo – owing to theft or damage – which enables the operator or owner to take action to avoid shrinkage associated with goods being tampered with, damaged or stolen. These alerts can be achieved through AI-based door opening, stock movement and light-variation alerts.

The benefits of using AI in materials handling and logistics are “almost endless”, as AI can also enable optimised route planning by mapping a preferred route to reduce risk and avert delivery-related impacts by identifying expected deviations or stoppages.

He adds that optimised route planning can incorporate several factors, including the vehicle type, holidays, time of day and weather.

Going forward, Forbes believes that AI will improve and become even more beneficial to the materials handling and logistics sector.

“AI is still learning how to monitor inanimate objects and illegal movements, but as the deep learning progresses, this ‘knowledge’ will become more prominent in the AI solutions,” he enthuses.