Lawn Mower Fleet Management with iWave Telematics Solutions

Vehicle telematics is propelling lawn mowers into the future

The integration of vehicle telematics into lawn mowers is revolutionizing the landscaping industry, enhancing the capabilities of these machines for optimal performance. By incorporating telematics, lawn mowers can provide fleet managers with real-time, portable solutions to monitor and manage their entire fleet, including vehicles, drivers, and assets. This technological advancement not only improves efficiency but also offers insights that can lead to significant cost savings and operational improvements.

Lawn mower fleet management challenges

Despite the growth and booming demand in the landscaping industry, fleet managers face several challenges that can hinder efficiency and profitability. The top three challenges include:

1. Reducing Fuel Costs: Fuel expenses represent a significant portion of operating costs for lawn mower fleets. Inefficient fuel use, idling, and suboptimal routing can lead to excessive fuel consumption. Telematics systems help mitigate these issues by providing data on fuel usage, enabling route optimization, and monitoring driver behaviour to reduce idling and improve fuel efficiency.
2. Reducing Labor Costs: Labor costs are another major expense in the landscaping industry. Managing a large workforce, ensuring productivity, and minimizing downtime are critical for maintaining profitability. Telematics can assist by tracking employee hours, automating timesheets, and providing insights into workforce productivity. This technology allows for better scheduling, reduces overtime costs, and helps in identifying areas where efficiency can be improved.
3. Vehicle Acquisition and Replacement: The cost of acquiring new vehicles and replacing old ones is substantial. Making informed decisions about when to replace equipment can save significant capital. Telematics systems provide data on vehicle usage, maintenance needs, and overall performance, helping managers make data-driven decisions about equipment replacement. By predicting maintenance needs and preventing unexpected breakdowns, telematics can extend the life of lawn mowers and reduce the frequency of replacements.

Impact of misalignment in management

Any misalignment in managing fuel costs, labor costs, and vehicle acquisition and replacement can significantly impact the bottom line of a landscaping business. Inefficient fuel use can drain financial resources, high labor costs can erode profit margins, and poor management of vehicle assets can lead to unnecessary expenditures on new equipment. By leveraging telematics, fleet managers can gain a comprehensive understanding of their operations, align their management strategies with business goals, and drive overall efficiency and profitability

Lawn mower telematics solutions

iWave, a leading embedded design and solutions company, offers a comprehensive turn-key solution for lawn mowers through its rugged telematics device. This device is pivotal in addressing the challenges inherent in lawn mower and landscaping fleet management, offering a broad range of interfaces and features.

Key features and benefits of iWave's rugged telematics device:

1. IP67 Standard Compliance: The rugged telematics device (Figure 1) is compliant with the IP67 standard, ensuring durability and protection against dust and water ingress. This makes it ideal for use in outdoor environments where exposure to harsh conditions is common, safeguarding the device’s functionality and extending its longevity.

Figure 1: iWave’s rugged telematics device. (Image source: iWave)

2. Multiple Communication Channels:
   • Wi-Fi: Allows for wireless data transmission within a certain range, facilitating easy connectivity and data transfer.
   • Bluetooth: Provides short-range wireless communication, useful for connecting with other devices and accessories.
   • LTE Cat 4 / Cat M1: Ensures high-speed cellular connectivity for data transmission over long distances, essential for real-time monitoring and remote management.
   • GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo: These satellite navigation systems offer precise and reliable location tracking, crucial for fleet management and route optimization.
3. Multiple Inputs/Outputs:
   • 3 x CAN: Enables real-time monitoring and control of the engine and other critical systems, allowing for diagnostics and performance optimization.
   • 10/100 Ethernet: Provides wired network connectivity, ensuring stable and secure data transfer.
   • RS232/RS485/K-Line: Supports various serial communication protocols for integration with different devices and systems.
   • USB OTG: Allows for easy data exchange and connectivity with USB devices.
4. Analog and Digital Inputs/Outputs: Facilitate the integration of various sensors and control systems, enabling comprehensive monitoring and automation.
5. Antenna Support: The device supports external antennas, enhancing signal strength and reliability for communication and navigation.
6. Compliance with Protocols: FMS / J1939 / ISO 15765-4 / UDS: These protocols ensure compatibility with industry standards, allowing seamless integration with existing systems and ensuring reliable communication and data exchange.
7. Integrated Hardware Secure Element: Provides robust security features to protect data and prevent unauthorized access, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information.
8. Add-on Security Features: Additional security features enhance the overall safety and protection of the telematics system, safeguarding it against potential threats and vulnerabilities.

Rugged telematics device in action

Equipping each lawn mower with iWave’s cutting-edge rugged telematics device significantly enhances fleet management efficiency and precision. The device’s compliance with the IP67 standard ensures it can withstand the rugged outdoor conditions typical of lawn care environments, including water exposure and dust. The device’s multiple communication channels (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE Cat 4 / Cat M1) ensure accurate reporting of positional telematics and additional messaging. The integration of GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo provides comprehensive real-time tracking information, crucial for effective fleet management.

The CAN interface enables real-time monitoring of engine control, ensuring peak performance and diagnostics. It also ensures safety adherence through seat occupancy tracking via the seat switch and provides precise oversight of steering, traction engines, reverse and forward pedals, and external engagement signals. This comprehensive data collection allows operators to elevate productivity and safety standards, setting new benchmarks in lawn care excellence. Sensor detection inputs linked to the machine’s control system provide automatic and physical indication of the cutting blades’ status. This feature ensures a prompt response to changes in the mower’s operational status, facilitating proactive maintenance when necessary.

Communication between the mower and the end-user viewing platform is seamlessly executed through the device’s internal modem, complemented by a supplied SIM card. This reliable communication infrastructure ensures efficient transmission of critical fleet data, including status and performance metrics, to the central management system. This constant access to data, even in remote areas, ensures that every decision is based on the most up-to-date information available. By leveraging data collected through telematics, fleet managers can evaluate various scenarios of customer usage. Analysis may include tracking the frequency and duration of mowing sessions, identifying patterns in terrain types and sizes of mowed areas, and assessing maintenance intervals based on usage intensity. Insights gathered from such analyses enable fleet managers to tailor service schedules, anticipate maintenance needs, and offer personalized recommendations to customers, ultimately enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.

Benefits of using telematics in lawn mower and landscaping fleet management

1. Vehicle tracking and location monitoring: Real-time tracking allows fleet managers to know the exact location of each vehicle in their fleet at any given moment. This feature helps optimize routing and scheduling, leading to reduced fuel costs and improved overall efficiency. Knowing the precise location of each mower enables fleet managers to quickly allocate resources, respond to customer demands, and ensure timely service delivery.
2. Productivity and control: Telematics enhances transparency across the fleet by empowering machines with the ability to receive guidance, control operations, and conduct remote diagnostics and repairs. It also facilitates job site coordination, automating processes to improve productivity and control. With telematics, fleet managers can monitor engine performance, track machine usage, and ensure that maintenance schedules are adhered to, thereby reducing downtime and maximizing operational efficiency.
3. Theft recovery: Asset safety is a significant concern for fleet organizations. Telematics systems provide real-time alerts for any movement beyond predefined geofences, enabling early warnings to law enforcement. This early detection, combined with GPS tracking, helps prevent asset loss or damage. In the event of theft, the precise location data provided by telematics systems can significantly increase the chances of recovering stolen equipment.
4. Route optimization: Telematics allows fleet managers to analyze historical data and current traffic conditions to suggest the most efficient routes for each vehicle. This helps reduce travel time and fuel consumption, leading to cost savings. Optimized routing also minimizes wear and tear on vehicles, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
5. Reduced labor costs and billing accuracy: Telematics solutions enhance billing accuracy by tracking the duration of driver-customer interactions. Automated time logs help cut overtime and labor costs by ensuring that employees are paid accurately for their work. Additionally, real-time data enables fleet managers to reroute crews efficiently, saving on fuel and ensuring timely service delivery. This results in more accurate billing, improved customer satisfaction, and reduced labor expenses.

Tailored telematics solutions empower OEMs:

iWave specializes in delivering ODM (original design manufacturer) solutions, empowering OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to thrive in fast-changing digital automotive environments. iWave's expertise allows customers to avoid settling for generic solutions, offering instead a range of tailored options.

• Fulfilling client’s hardware requirements exclusively: iWave can provide customized hardware solutions to meet specific client requirements, ensuring that the telematics system integrates seamlessly with existing equipment and workflows.
• Partnering with the client’s preferred application provider: iWave collaborates with the application providers chosen by clients to deliver a comprehensive solution, combining the best hardware with the preferred software to create an optimal telematics system.
• Providing a fully integrated system through preferred solution partners: For clients seeking a turnkey solution, iWave works with its trusted solution partners to offer a fully integrated telematics system. This approach ensures that all components of the telematics system work harmoniously together, providing a seamless user experience.

Throughout this process, customers retain control over proprietary data and crucial intellectual property, preserving the unique features that set their products apart from competitors. The result is a resilient, reliable, and cost-effective telematics solution tailored to the specific needs of each client.