More than just a dashcam: Five innovative uses of video telematics

Back in the early days of telematics we were happy just to see a little flashing dot on a map showing where a truck was. That was helpful of course. But if an accident happened, the most crucial question remained: “What exactly happened?”

Today, thanks to the continuous advancements in cellular IoT (like 4G and 5G networks), we have something far more powerful: Video Telematics. This seamlessly integrated solution combines fleet tracking, cameras, and sophisticated analytics. Using high-speed cellular networks, high-definition footage is transmitted, in real-time, giving fleet managers eyes and ears everywhere.

Given those benefits, it’s no surprise to see the market response. North America and Europe are key growth regions. The North American market is experiencing robust growth, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.5 percent. This strong performance is expected to result in an active installed base of almost 6.3 million units in North America by 2026. In Europe, the installed base is also set for significant expansion, forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 17.9 percent. By 2026, the European base is anticipated to reach 2.1 million video telematics systems.

Clearly, video telematics is no longer a luxury—it’s a critical tool for maximizing profitability, efficiency, and, most importantly, safety. Let’s dive into the top five ways video telematics are fundamentally changing how fleets operate today.

Robust incident resolution and fraud prevention

So, what's the biggest benefit of video telematics for fleet managers? The primary and most fundamental utility of video telematics lies in its power as an objective witness. Before connected cameras, fleet companies often found themselves automatically blamed in accidents, leading them to settle claims to avoid costly litigation. When fleet vehicles are involved in accidents, near-misses, or any form of incident, disputes over fault, liability, and the sequence of events are common. Video telematics systems, through integrated dashcams and often external cameras, capture high-definition footage of the moments leading up to, during, and immediately following an incident.

This footage serves as irrefutable, unbiased proof. Unlike driver or third-party testimony, which can be subject to human error, bias, stress, or self-interest, the video record presents the facts exactly as they transpired. This capability is critical for several reasons:

Expediting insurance claims

By providing immediate and clear evidence of non-fault, claims can be processed much faster, minimizing vehicle downtime and reducing administrative costs. Conversely, if a driver is at fault, the evidence expedites the resolution process.

Defending against fraudulent claims

In instances where pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers attempt to stage an accident or file a fraudulent claim against the fleet, the video evidence offers a complete defense, saving the company potentially tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees and payouts.

Determining true liability

The video, often synchronized with vehicle data (speed, braking, G-force, location), paints a complete picture, ensuring that liability is assigned accurately and fairly. This is vital for protecting responsible drivers and preventing the fleet from being unjustly penalized.

The system functions as a neutral, always-on investigator, safeguarding the fleet's assets, reputation, and financial stability against the uncertainties of the road.

Case study: Challenging claims and cutting costs

It's amazing how fast leading logistics companies are seeing a return on investment. Take FleetSeek, for example. They put in IoT cameras and saw a huge 50 percent drop in accident claims almost immediately. Being able to prove they weren't at fault right away saved them significant money and even lowered their insurance rates. Similarly, European transport company GBA Services uses real-time video to easily fight off fraudulent claims. And even when their drivers are at fault, the video speeds up the whole process.

The bottom line? Video telematics isn't just another expense; it's a seriously powerful defense. We're talking about an immediate financial benefit—these systems can cut collision claim costs by an average of 27 percent. When you consider that about half a million truck accidents happen in the US every year, that kind of capability is absolutely essential.

Proactive driver safety and personalized coaching

The landscape of video telematics is undergoing a dramatic transformation, fundamentally shifting its purpose from a tool for reactive investigation—used primarily to analyze events after an accident has occurred—to a powerful platform for proactive prevention. This pivotal change is driven by the sophisticated integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Vision (MV) technologies.

So, how exactly are these new, smarter systems changing the game for fleet safety?

Historically, video telematics systems were valuable for providing irrefutable visual evidence to determine fault, streamline insurance claims, and understand the root cause of incidents. However, their utility was inherently backward-looking. The new generation of systems, powered by AI and MV, processes video footage in real-time, both inside and outside the vehicle, to identify high-risk driving behaviors, immediate hazards, and signs of driver distraction or fatigue as they are happening.

This allows for:

• Real-time, in-cab alerts:
  Providing instant audible or haptic feedback to the driver when a critical event—such as tailgating, unbuckled seatbelts, or lane departure—is detected, enabling immediate corrective action.
• Predictive analysis:
  AI algorithms learn from vast datasets to anticipate potential collision scenarios before they escalate into an incident.
• Contextual coaching:
  Fleet managers can move beyond simply reviewing incident videos and use the AI-classified data to deliver personalized, proactive driver coaching programs focused on eliminating specific high-risk habits. This process significantly reduces the overall frequency and severity of accidents across the fleet.

This active management yields huge dividends: one analysis of commercial vehicles showed that video telematics systems reduced accident frequency by 45 percent on average over six months. The need for this is clear, as studies indicate that 70% of fleets are affected by distracted driving, with mobile phone use cited as the leading cause (impacting 68% of affected businesses). This evolution from forensic analysis to real-time, intelligent intervention represents a critical advance in the safety and operational efficiency of modern commercial fleets.

Case study: Individualized training for safety improvements

Here's a great example of how video telematics helps companies get ahead of the curve when it comes to safety. Take the VIA Video Telematics System, for instance—it's a perfect case of how smart hardware makes a real difference. This system uses awesome safety tech like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which includes things like Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW). Basically, it spots potential dangers and gives drivers a heads-up so they can react in time.

Plus, the Driver Safety System (DSS) keeps an eye out for sleepy or distracted driving. By putting all these features together, the system is actively working to lower the chance of accidents. The best part? The data it collects lets managers create personalized driver scorecards and offer tailored coaching. That shifts the whole focus from punishing slip-ups to recognizing safe driving and helping everyone get better behind the wheel.

Optimizing operational efficiency and reducing costs

Most traditional telematics systems give you the bare minimum: GPS location and basic speed. It's like looking at a flat, two-dimensional map of your operation. Sure, it's good for simple tracking, but it really falls short when you need the kind of smart insights that lead to real-world operational improvements.

In contrast, cutting-edge visual telematics represent a significant leap forward. It pulls in incredibly rich visual context from high-definition cameras and combines it with a huge amount of real-time vehicle diagnostic data. This powerful mix means fleet managers don't just know where a truck is; they know what's happening around it and how the engine is truly performing internally.

This deep fusion of visual and diagnostic data is what makes video telematics so superior. Now the system can analyze driving behavior with a magnifying glass, instantly flag the true causes of wasted fuel or time, and proactively catch risks that those old systems simply miss. By giving a complete, three-dimensional picture of every trip, businesses are able to squeeze the absolute maximum efficiency, safety, and productivity out of every single mile and minute the fleet spends on the road.

Video telematics systems often support integration with the vehicle’s CAN bus system (Controller Area Network). This integration allows the capture of critical vehicle data, including odometer, fuel level, engine speed, temperature, and RPM. Cellular networks transmit this data for fleet managers to analyze operational insight like accurate fuel consumption and vehicle utilization costs. Optimizing these factors feeds directly into broader goals: 58% of fleet operators are actively investing in decarbonization initiatives to enhance their brand reputation.

Case study: Intelligent, real-time fleet optimization

Given these benefits, it’s no surprise that Integrated systems controlled 57.67% of the video telematics market in 2024 and are expanding at an 8.12% CAGR as fleets consolidate platforms for safety, maintenance, and routing. Here’s a great example of exactly that - two companies coming together to deliver a simple, integrated solution. 3Dtracking, a worldwide telematics platform, teamed up with Queclink Wireless Solutions to create a single, neat package.

They basically connected Queclink's CV200 smart dashcam with a CAN100 BLE adaptor. Why? So the 3Dtracking platform could get all the tracking info and the vehicle's internal (CAN bus) data in one go. This all-in-one system that improves fleet performance with accurate fuel consumption and better vehicle usage costs.

Real-time visibility and streamlining field service operations

The combination of high speed and low latency from modern cellular networks—think 4G LTE and the newest 5G—is changing the game for video telemetry. This reliable connection enables you to send tons of sensor data right alongside the video. This tech leap is essentially taking these systems from being simple, passive cameras that just record events and turning them into dynamic, genuine, real-time command centers.

What this means in practice is you can now have an instant, two-way conversation with your remote assets. Instead of waiting for delayed footage after something happens, operators get live, crystal-clear video streams with hardly any lag. Hello, instantaneous situational awareness.

Plus, you get the full picture, with all the context. It basically erases the distance between the physical location and the central monitoring station. This empowers remote teams to handle crucial tasks right away. Here are just a few examples of this remote capability in action.

Improve decision making

Previously, drivers often had to independently decide how to handle truck issues. Informed decisions were difficult due to a lack of precise truck information. Now, remote diagnostics provide companies with better data. With increased knowledge of a truck's problems, management can make educated decisions on whether immediate service is needed or if the repair can be deferred. This information also helps determine the necessary resources, vehicles, and staff to send for repairs.

Remove driver burden

Communication breakdowns may occur when drivers attempt to describe truck issues to administrators or supervisors. Since they are not trained mechanics, they may not be able to describe problems beyond basic observations. This makes it difficult for management to diagnose and determine the correct course of action. A remote diagnostics system eliminates this guesswork by automatically collecting and transmitting detailed data directly, removing the burden of detailed verbal reporting from the driver.

Moving to this "real-time command center" model boosts operational efficiency and enables the kind of rapid decision-making that's essential for modern logistics, public safety, and autonomous systems.

Case study: Pre-diagnosis saves time and money

Volvo Trucks North America has been in the telematics game for more than a decade. With its new VNL model, they've baked the technology right into the design. Their uptime service is a big deal—it slashes the average time for diagnosis by 70% and repair time by 20%.

Basically, this service keeps an eye on every truck and flags problems as "yellow" (it can wait a bit) or "red" (drop everything, it needs immediate attention, usually something with emissions). This means when a truck rolls into the dealership, it's already diagnosed and the parts are waiting. Sometimes they can even swap out parts before they fail! Plus, Volvo can check how each truck is running to see if it's set up correctly or if a different spec would be better. This lets fleets tweak things like speed limits based on where they are or how much fuel costs.

Asset protection and theft recovery

For vehicles carrying valuable cargo or heavy equipment, video telematics is a must-have for security. Sure, standard GPS tells you where a vehicle is, but video telematics adds real-time, high-definition cameras to give you the full picture of every trip. This visual proof is crucial for scaring off thieves, confirming your cargo is safe and sound, and having the perfect record if there's an accident or a security issue.

CargoNet recorded 884 supply chain theft events across the United States and Canada in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 10 percent increase from the first quarter of 2025. The estimated total loss value exceeded $128 million when applying average loss values to incidents where specific values were not reported.

The cameras can monitor the driver, the road ahead, the interior of the cargo area, and the surrounding environment. This multi-angle coverage ensures that if valuable goods are tampered with, or if heavy equipment is misused or damaged, there is an immediate and indisputable video record.

Plus, many video telematics systems incorporate advanced features like AI-powered event detection. This technology can automatically flag harsh braking, rapid acceleration, unauthorized stops, or door openings, instantly linking the behavioral data with the corresponding video footage for rapid review and intervention by fleet managers. This extra layer of visual security turns simple tracking into a powerful way to manage risk and prevent losses, making it essential for any high-value operation.

Case study: A virtual guard for high value shipments

Ever wondered how companies keep their most valuable shipments safe on the road without the hefty price tag of a traditional security escort? That’s where companies like Sirix shine. They offer a sophisticated solution for securing high-value cargo virtually - a highly intelligent and cost-effective alternative to conventional security escorts. Their system integrates a comprehensive suite of onboard technology, including security cameras, door sensors, GPS tracking, audible alarms, and remote control tools for the command center, such as engine immobilization and a driver-activated panic button.

The core of this operation is the AktivSense platform. This system employs AI to continuously analyze data, instantly transmitting alerts to a continuously staffed 24/7 command center. The command center then executes a detailed protocol to ensure the security of every shipment from its origin to its final destination.

The future is connected

Video telematics isn't just a simple recorder for proving a driver's innocence anymore—it's become a complete system for optimizing operations. Thanks to the power of 5G wireless connectivity, which offers more bandwidth and speed (up to 10 Gbit/s), fleet managers are getting valuable insight and better control of their vehicles and fleets. This change means they can stop just reacting to problems after they happen. Instead, they can use video data to make smart, proactive decisions, which makes things safer and helps the business grow.

Why Hologram?

While many providers can offer a SIM card, video telematics presents a unique set of high-stakes challenges that most can't handle. It's not just about connecting a device; it's about reliably transmitting large, mission-critical video files from a moving asset, often in real-time.

This is precisely where Hologram excels. We're not just another connectivity provider; our entire platform is engineered to solve the specific, demanding needs of video telematics.

Unmatched reliability with outage protection

For video telematics, downtime isn't an inconvenience—it's a critical failure. If your connectivity drops during an accident, a theft, or a safety event, your entire system is useless. Our Hyper SIM with Outage Protection is a game-changer. It features innovative dual-core technology that provides multiple redundant paths to the internet. If a primary carrier's network core experiences an outage (like the ones that have made headlines), our SIM automatically and seamlessly switches to a backup core. This is backed by a contractually guaranteed 99.95% uptime, ensuring you never lose sight of your fleet when it matters most.

Performance built for high-bandwidth video

Standard IoT connections are designed for tiny data packets from sensors. Video is a different beast entirely. Uploading HD video clips and supporting live-streaming requires a network built for speed and high data throughput. We offer blazing performance with latency as low as 50ms, enabling near-instant data transfer. This is crucial for real-time driver coaching (ADAS/DMS alerts) and immediate access to live video feeds. Our platform is designed to handle the high data demands of video, ensuring that critical incident footage is uploaded to the cloud in seconds, not minutes.

True global coverage with a single SIM

Fleets travel across city, state, and even national borders. Managing different SIMs for different regions is an operational nightmare and creates inevitable coverage gaps as vehicles switch between networks. Our single, eUICC-enabled SIM connects to over 550 carriers in 195+ countries. It isn't locked to a single carrier; it automatically connects to the strongest available signal wherever the vehicle goes. This multi-carrier redundancy eliminates dead zones and ensures consistent connectivity, whether your truck is in a dense urban center or a remote rural highway.

Simplified management for fleets of any scale

Managing thousands of SIMs across a global fleet can be overwhelmingly complex. Fleet managers need a simple, centralized way to monitor usage, troubleshoot issues, and manage devices without needing a dedicated IT army. Our intuitive Dashboard provides a single source of truth for your entire fleet. You can monitor data usage, manage SIM profiles, and troubleshoot connectivity from one interface. With our powerful API and Over-the-Air (OTA) update capabilities, you can automate your deployment and even switch carrier profiles remotely—no expensive and time-consuming "truck rolls" required.

Future-proof technology to protect your investment

The cellular landscape is constantly evolving. You can't afford to install telematics hardware that will become obsolete when networks change. Our SIMs are "Future Ready." They are eUICC-enabled and support the full range of cellular technologies (2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, LTE-M, and NB-IoT). This means the hardware you deploy today will continue to function for years to come, seamlessly adapting to new network standards and protecting your long-term investment.