Telematics, a combination of telecommunications and informatics, is the remote collection and processing of location, speed, fuel, engine and sensor data from a vehicle. In logistics it shows in real time where the fleet is, how it is being used and under what conditions the cargo is being carried. This way, decisions on fuel, maintenance, routing and security are based on measured data rather than estimates.
How does telematics turn a vehicle into a data-generating device?
The term comes from the French word télématique and became widespread with the 1978 report by Simon Nora and Alain Minc. In logistics today it describes a three-part system:
- On-board unit: The telematics box with a GNSS receiver, mobile data modem, accelerometer and sensor inputs.
- Vehicle connection: The CAN-bus line through which the box reads data from the engine and vehicle electronics.
- Server and software: The platform where the data is collected, processed and presented as maps, reports or alarms.
GPS vehicle tracking, which shows only location, is one component of telematics. Telematics adds the condition of the vehicle and the cargo to the location.
The device usually sends data at intervals ranging from 30 seconds to a few minutes; in alarm situations a notification goes out without waiting. In mountainous areas and on border routes without mobile coverage, data is stored in the device's memory and transferred in bulk once coverage returns. On routes where uninterrupted information is needed, devices with satellite modems are preferred.
What data is collected and what is it used for?
| Data | Source | Use in logistics |
|---|---|---|
| Location, speed, route | GNSS receiver | Estimated time of arrival (ETA), route deviation, customer information |
| Fuel consumption and level | CAN-bus / FMS, fuel sensor | Consumption analysis, detection of fuel loss |
| Engine hours, RPM, fault codes | CAN-bus | Maintenance planning, breakdown prevention |
| Harsh braking, sudden acceleration, idling | Accelerometer, CAN-bus | Driver behaviour analysis, accident risk |
| Door opening | Door sensor | Unauthorised opening alarm, theft prevention |
| Temperature inside the trailer | Temperature sensor / data logger | Cold chain evidence, deviation alarm |
| Driver and tachograph data | Digital tachograph | Monitoring of working hours, remote data download |
Why is CAN-bus and FMS integration important?
CAN-bus is the communication line that carries data between the electronic control units in a vehicle. When a telematics device is connected to this line, it reads fuel and engine data without the need for additional sensors. In heavy commercial vehicles, the FMS standard is used for this purpose. The standard is an open interface jointly developed under the ACEA umbrella by Daimler Truck, MAN, Scania, DAF, IVECO, Volvo, Renault Trucks and Ford Otosan. This allows a fleet made up of different makes to be monitored in the same software. Which data can be read, however, depends on the vehicle's equipment.
Benefits for the logistics company and the cargo owner
- Cost: Unnecessary idling and off-route kilometres become visible; fuel consumption is compared by vehicle and by driver.
- Security: With geofencing, unplanned stops, door openings and exits from a defined zone are reported instantly.
- Maintenance: Fault codes are fed into the service plan; the risk of breakdowns on the road decreases.
- Customer information: The cargo owner sees the location and estimated arrival without having to call.
- Evidence: Temperature and door records are used as documentation in damage or insurance investigations.
What should be considered when using it?
Since telematics data also includes the driver's location and behaviour, it counts as personal data. Under Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu, KVKK), the driver must be informed, the data must be limited to its purpose and a retention period must be set. The topic is covered in the vehicle tracking data and KVKK entry. When choosing a system, data ownership, the backup reporting method in case of device failure and how the data will be transferred to fleet management software should be clarified in the contract.
In Voltim Global's daily vehicle tracking and reporting service, the vehicle location is taken from the drivers' Voltim mobile app, shown in the customer panel and sent to the customer in a daily status report.