For decades, road safety strategies have been reactive. This includes increasing police on our roads and installing cameras to monitor traffic. The drawback of these methods is that they rely on ground-based infrastructure which is geographically limited.
The advent of satellite technology is transforming this approach. By using geospatial data, advanced imaging, and real-time connectivity, we can now adopt a more proactive stance.
Satellite-based road safety technology presents an opportunity to reshape how we monitor, manage, and mitigate road risks, keeping an eye on traffic and incidents from 2000km above in medium Earth orbit.
This shift is particularly relevant in Australia, where serious and fatal accidents are disproportionately high in regional and remote areas – often occurring outside of 4G and 5G mobile coverage zones.
Learning from global innovation
Innovative companies like Valerann are already making an impact in this space. The company has been awarded a €3.6M contract by the European Space Agency to develop an AI-powered road traffic monitoring platform.
In the United States, AAA in partnership with Apple has released a new feature that provides roadside assistance via satellite. This is a lifesaving service designed for iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 users who find themselves stranded with no mobile service coverage. This feature complements Apple’s existing capability to send an emergency SOS via satellite when a severe crash is detected.
In Australia, Telstra also recently announced the launch of Australia’s first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service. Utilising SpaceX Starlink, the aim is to deliver text messages from-and-to anywhere in the country – improving emergency communication and response.
These advancements are crucial in addressing the unique challenges posed by Australia’s vast landscapes, where connectivity can be sparse and timely assistance is critical.
Shaping connectivity in Australia
Intelematics forecasts that approximately seven million vehicles will be connected on Australian roads by 2030. In tandem, almost all of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers have launched connected vehicle services, incorporating satellite capabilities.
The end game is to provide seamless roadside breakdown and emergency services nationwide – regardless of location or mobile service availability.
Intelematics has established a unique position in the Australian and New Zealand markets, developing localised, data-driven solutions for the transport and automotive industries over the last two decades. Servicing over 600,000 connected vehicle customers across major brands like Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai and Genesis, we are well-equipped to lead advancements in this space.
Our roadmap anticipates the advent of one-way and two-way satellite communications throughout remote Australia, achievable through SIM-enabled connected vehicles, native mobile handset capabilities, or mobile carrier satellite direct-to-mobile plans for 4G LTE-enabled phones.
Transforming emergency response
In the key application of emergency call (eCall) and response, satellite communication will play a significant role in reducing road trauma and emergency response times, but it is not a comprehensive answer to all challenges.
To ensure that satellite communication is transformative, a trusted intermediary is essential to triage, coordinate, and route emergency assistance for breakdowns and crashes in regional and remote Australia.
Intelematics is proud to play this critical role through our eCall services, which are seamlessly integrated into vehicles to provide timely assistance to drivers and passengers in critical situations.
Our commitment to safety is underpinned by ISO-accredited security measures, data encryption, and compliance with stringent standards. This ensures that sensitive information is protected and that user consent is honoured. Additionally, our existing Computer Aided Dispatch integrations can assist in dispatching roadside assistance and emergency services – enhancing response times and saving lives.
Improving road safety for all
As we look towards the future, we see a landscape where every Australian, regardless of location, has access to vital roadside emergency services. The integration of satellite technology into vehicle safety systems and the rise of global satellite infrastructure, is not merely a technological advancement, it is a commitment to saving lives and improving road safety for all.
We urge vehicle manufacturers, large fleets, and telecommunication companies to embrace these innovations and collaborate in creating more secure, connected transportation systems. Together, we can work towards a future where all road users feel safe and supported – no matter where their journeys take them. Let’s invest in this transformative technology and make a concerted effort to enhance road safety for everyone across Australia.
Rob is an MBA-qualified executive leader of high-performance teams with consulting experience and tenures across the logistics, telco, energy renewables and location & navigation market sectors.
He currently leads the product and design team at Intelematics and is responsible for the strategic development of connected vehicle and mobility solutions for the Australian market and global AI-based data services.
He has extensive experience in building new products from inception, integrating newly acquired businesses, commercialising large marketplaces for high profile Australian brands and negotiating deals with global suppliers. He feels comfortable working in complex digital and iOT-based environments dealing with rapid change.
