Mobility companies are developing integrated systems that will enable the tracking of vehicles on the road for future growth.

Car-sharing platforms, in particular, are quickly adopting fleet management software (FMS) for software-as-a-service businesses, building on their experience and technologies obtained through operating tens of thousands of shared vehicles.

As part of these moves, SoCar recently agreed to manage about 360 vehicles for four companies that hold movable assets inside and outside of Korea. The four are Hyundai Glovis Co., Lotte Global Logistics Co., VCNC -- formerly known as Tada --, and waste recycling platform RECO, according to industry sources on Thursday.

These FMSs are systems designed to help manage commercial vehicles, special-purpose vehicles, aircraft and ships, as well as non-powered assets, in an integrated manner. A fleet-tracking device attached to a vehicle can tell the control tower all transportation-related information, from its real-time location all the way to its driving habits and the environment to which it is exposed through dash cams, enabling management of these movable assets.

According to U.S. internet of things company Samsara Inc., global FMS markets will grow to be about $97 billion (119.8 trillion won) in 2024, from only $55 billion last year, with estimated yearly growth rates of about 21 percent. The Korean FMS market is in the very early stages, and is estimated to be worth about 4 trillion won, based on the size of the cargo vehicle market.

For Lotte Global Logistics, SoCar will focus on delivery vehicles to improve efficiency and service quality. An integrated control tower that is fed with safety-related information, optimized routes and vehicle conditions, will manage vehicles better, cut costs and help keep the drivers safe.

With VCNC, SoCar has agreed to focus on driving habits by installing devices on taxis to lower accidents and more effectively manag3 their vehicles. An integrated control system will also enable real-time vehicle checkups.

With Hyundai Glovis, SoCar will carry out an FMS demonstration project in Thailand and seek measures to effectively operate and manage electric cargo vehicles. “We are working on an integrated system solution for delivery vehicles travelling between warehouses and retail stores,” SoCar said. “Specifics of the relevant country and region, such as weather or road conditions, will be included as input data.”



Partnered with RECO, which runs the waste pick-up and recycling service Upbox, SoCar plans to develop solutions to effectively manage vehicles from different companies as the vehicles transport waste. An analysis of real-time transportation logs, monitoring driving habits and managing consumable supplies will all help the company to more effectively manage waste pickup vehicles, the company said.

Humax Co., which runs the car-sharing platform Peoplecar, also plans to initiate an FMS business, targeting key industries. “Our solutions will be a ‘mobility package’ that connects FMS, electric car charging and parking,” the company said.

Kakao Corp.’s Kakao Mobility plans to combine driving data from its navigation service with FMS solutions to provide various mobility and logistics services. Kakao Mobility invested in Altimobility in August, to develop control solutions and communication devices for vehicles, diversifying the company’s technology investments. “We plan to have a secure supply of FMS devices from Altimobility while we develop our own car devices and control tower systems optimized for short-term rental car and car-sharing,” the company said.

Players in the FMS market are predicted to grow in number, as FMS is regarded as essential for autonomous driving. “If various unmanned cars are all on the road, an integrated system is a must that can show where the car is and under what conditions it is, which makes the FMS one of the core mobility technologies of the future,” one industry source said.

By Koh Min-seo, Chang Iou-chung

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]