Company’s innovative ‘Smart Trailer’ solution grabs it’s first customer
BlackBerry announced today that its end-to-end asset tracking solution, BlackBerry Radar, has been deployed with Caravan Transport Group.
Built on the company’s cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) software platform, BlackBerry Radar is an innovative ‘Smart Trailer’ software and hardware solution that will enable one of Canada’s premier, cross-border transportation carriers to receive rich information to help improve efficiency and overall utilization of its fleet.
The companies wouldn’ reveal the value of the deal, but in a joint call with media BlackBerry’s senior vice-president of Internet of Things (IoT) Derek Kuhn said it is a “really valuable” offering and a great example of the direction the company is going.
“This is an exciting milestone for us,” Kuhn said of the hardware and software system.
Installed in minutes, the BlackBerry Radar device includes an intelligent array of sensors that collects and reports readings more often than any other self-powered solution on the market today. Real-time trailer and cargo status details include the location of trailers and cargo, the status of the trailer door being opened or closed, whether the trailers are empty or loaded, temperature, humidity and much more.
Furthermore, all data is communicated securely to the IoT cloud platform maintaining the privacy of the user’s data. Caravan’s fleet operation managers, load planners, and dispatchers can securely access this information stored in the cloud from a notebook, desktop, tablet or smartphone equipped with a web browser for immediate analysis, decision-making and reporting – ultimately making profitable decisions for the organization and bringing added value to its customers.
“Taking time, money and guesswork out of the supply chain is a top priority for leaders across the transportation and logistics industry,” said Derek Kuhn, senior vice president of IoT for BlackBerry.
“The current method of obtaining information about a trailer or intermodal container no longer works in today’s connected world, because this data is typically not real-time or updated frequently enough to make timely decisions. To solve this issue, BlackBerry leveraged its extensive technology portfolio and deep expertise in security, mobility and enterprise software to innovate and develop BlackBerry Radar, which is designed to bring decision makers and operators near real-time information, analytics and reports to boost operational efficiencies.”
The technology’s goal is to reduce operating costs by improving efficiency, Kuhn said, adding the data can be used to help with delivery scheduling, theft prevention and fuel savings. While there are many competing in-cab technology options, Kuhn said BlackBerry is trying to focus on the cargo itself.
But this technology doesn’t focus on autonomous driving vehicles. BlackBerry’s QNX is involved with autonomous driving software and supports manufacturers directly, but Kuhn said it would be up to trucking and auto manufacturers to say when trucks will be driving themselves.
Caravan Transport Group is privately owned, asset based carrier with headquarters in Oakville, ON and terminals in Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“Running a fleet of ‘Smart Trailers’ has been a vision of ours for a while, but it wasn’t until we met with BlackBerry did we think it could come to fruition,” said John Iwaniura, president, of the Caravan Group of Companies.
“We have been in the transportation industry for a long time and have yet to see any solution as comprehensive, compact, easy to use and useful as BlackBerry Radar.”
