SmartDrive Systems

SmartDrive Systems was founded in 2005 in San Diego by James Plante, an automotive entrepreneur.[3] Plante served as the company's first CEO until April 2008, when Greg Drew took over as CEO.[3]

In June 2012, the company announced media executive Steve Mitgang as their new CEO.[4]

In May 2013, Ontario, California-based beverage company The Icee Company started using SmartDrive's programs for its 680 service and distribution vehicles.[5] In October, SmartDrive announced it would begin capturing data from third party safety systems, including systems from Bendix, now part of Knorr-Bremse; Mobileye, now part of Intel; and Meritor WABCO, an alliance formed by automobile component manufacturer Meritor and commercial vehicle system manufacturer WABCO.[6][7]

In March 2014, the company announced a partnership with Meritor WABCO to roll out a performance management system called Proview.[7] In April 2014, the Utah Transit Authority announced they would be using SmartDrive's video systems for their buses and paratransit vehicles.[8] Also in 2014, the company partnered with ProSight Specialty Insurance on a program called SecureFleet, where Prosight helped its customers pay for SmartDrive's data and video event recording system and driver coaching program.[9]

By 2015, the company had grown to 450 employees worldwide, with 150 in the United States.[9] In November 2015, the company announced several single and multi-camera safety systems.[10]

In March 2016, the company announced its video-based driver performance management system was being integrated with WABCO's OnLane lane departure warning system.[11] In June, the Los Angeles Metro selected SmartDrive's systems for the city's bus and rail fleets.[12] In August, truckload shipping carrier Knight-Swift announced they were installing SmartDrive's video safety systems in all of their trucks.[13] In September, development partner Transdev North America announced they were deploying SmartDrive Rail on the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar fleet, which is managed by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.[14] In October, the company introduced SmartDrive SmartIQ, a data analysis tool that allows fleet operators to study safe driving behavior.[15]

By March 2017, the company had grown to 594 people worldwide.[16] In May, the company announced it was integrating its software with transportation management software from Birmingham, Alabama-based McLeod Software, to allow fleet customers of each company to share and manage driver records.[17] Also in May, Cookeville, Tennessee transportation company Averitt Express announced it was using SmartDrive's road facing cameras in all its trucks.[18] In September, trucking company Hub Group selected SmartDrive's video safety systems for its fleet of 2,600 trucks.[19] In October, the company launched the SmartSense suite of sensors that use a combination of regular and infrared cameras to identify signs of distracted driving.[20] Also in October, the company announced that meat processor Smithfield Foods had deployed SmartDrive's video safety technology across Smithfield's fleet of 600 refrigerated trucks, and that London-based sightseeing company Big Bus Tours was installing SmartDrive's Assurance program in each of its 68 buses.[21][22]

In March 2018, SmartDrive announced that North American transportation company Daseke Inc.'s subsidiary Schilli Corporation was going to use SmartDrive safety technology for its 300 vehicle fleet.[23] Also in March, the company released its Transportation Intelligence Platform, which included the SR4 system hub for integrating sensor and camera hardware, along with event analysis software.[24] In April, the company launched SmartDrive SmartIQ Driver Scorecard, software for companies to manage safety-driven driver incentive programs.[25] Also in April, the company announced that the Penske Logistics subsidiary of Penske Truck Leasing was adding SmartDrive video technology to 2,800 of its trucks.[26] In June, the company announced that specialty chemical company Clariant was adapting SmartDrive's video safety program for subsidiary Clariant Oil's 400 truck fleet.[27] In September, RATP Group's RATP Dev USA subsidiary announced they would start installing SmartDrive's programs in its transportation systems in the United States.[28] In October, the company partnered with Canadian telematics company Geotab to develop integrated systems using SmartDrive's sensors and Geotab's tracking application, to be accessed using third party devices such as phones and tablets.[29]

In January 2019, private ambulance service Acadian Ambulance began deploying the SmartDrive program across its entire fleet.[30] In March, braking control supplier WABCO Holdings combined its OnLaneALERT lane departure warning system with the SmartDrive SR4 video telematics platform.[31]

In June 2020, SmartDrive announced American motor shipping carrier Swift Transportation, part of Knight-Swift Transportation, deployed the SmartDrive program across its fleet of roughly 19,300 tractors and 68,000 trailers.[32] In July, SmartDrive released two new sensors - SmartDrive SmartSense for Speeding for Conditions, and SmartDrive SmartSense for Sitting Duck.[33]

SmartDrive SR4 hub with video cameras and sensors

SmartDrive provides video analysis, predictive analytics and performance programs to help drivers in commercial fleets improve their driving skills and lower operating costs.[34] The company also collects and stores data from almost 200 million risky-driving events, which is used to improve fleet driving patterns.[35]

Its products include the following:

SmartChoice and SmartDrive 360 video systems - The company's SmartChoice video systems have external and internal facing cameras, with video offload and review capabilities, with options for synchronizing a driver's performance with events outside the cab.[36] System options include a single road-facing camera, with video offload and review capabilities; a two-camera system, one facing the road and one facing the driver; and the SmartDrive 360 system with up to four cameras, for a 360-degree view of the vehicle, and rear facing options to allow monitoring of unloading.

SmartSense sensors - The company also produces SmartSense sensors that work with regular and infrared cameras to monitor and notify drivers when signs of distracted driving are detected. The cameras track head and eye movements, including drivers' facial planes.[20] SmartDrive's sensors also allow fleet owners to track vehicles and any potential erratic movement that might indicate anything out of the ordinary, such as sudden stops.[16] By combining video and sensors, fleet managers can identify, assess and correct risky driving behaviors before they lead to a collision.[9] SmartSense for Speeding for Conditions is a sensor that alerts fleet managers when drivers are traveling at speeds deemed unsafe for specific road conditions, such as snow, rain, fog or sleet.[33] SmartSense for Sitting Duck is a sensor that detects and reports vehicles that stopped, parked or stalled in a potentially hazardous undesignated or unsafe location.[33] Fleet managers can then assist the driver.

SmartIQ Transportation Intelligence - The company's SmartIQ Transportation Intelligence data analysis tools allow fleet operators to analyze driver performance by type, and to also manage safe driver programs.[15][25] The software also integrates with other fleet management software to allow sharing of records.[17][6] The platform includes the company's SR4 hardware, a hub which integrates the company's video and sensor feeds for event analysis.[24]

SmartIQ Driver Scorecard - The company's SmartIQ Driver Scorecard combines video with driver performance data to help companies identify their best drivers.[37]

Fuel management - The company also develops a fuel management product that measures speeding to help to improve fleet performance and fuel efficiency. Its Fuel Economy mobile app shows drivers key metrics and mileage trends, and allows them to see what events might have affected their mileage.[38]

SmartDrive Rail - SmartDrive Rail is a version of the company's safety system designed for trains. The system captures collisions and other unexpected events on video and by measuring system parameters, allows investigators to identify safety issues that could lead to future accidents. The video and risk parameters can be accessed for training purposes.[14]

The company holds 60 patents for its driving technology, including patents for performance tracking, readiness awareness and sensor calibration.[39]

In November 2007, SmartDrive disclosed that it received US$46 million in venture funding, led by Oak Investment Partners and New Enterprises Associates.[40][4]

In December 2009, the company announced a fifth round funding of $25 million.[41]

In June 2012, the company announced $47 million in new venture funding led by existing investors Oak Investment Partners and New Enterprises Associates, as well as new investor Stanford University.[4]

In March 2015, the company announced its largest funding round to date, a $50 million round led by earlier investors as well as product partner WABCO.[34] Two other earlier funding rounds totaling $12.2 million brought total company funding to $180.2 million.[42]

In October 2017, the company announced an additional funding round led by the North American arm of French tire manufacturer Michelin.[43]

In September 2019, SmartDrive secured $90 million of new capital in an investment round led by global investment company Sixth Street Partners.[44]

• Vehicle telematics
• Vehicle tracking system
• Fuel management system
• Information and communications technology

• Official website