The company is now making its patented sensor technology available to telematics companies worldwide. It has established a dedicated business to supply and integrate its sensors with third-party telematics systems.
Sensor Technology from Wheely-Safe to Support Global Telematics Market
The move follows the organic and successful implementation of Wheely-Safe sensors into a handful of telematics companies, launching a dedicated business focusing exclusively on this area. With its award-winning safety technologies, Wheely-Safe Sensors Ltd will help protect more buses, coaches, trucks, and trailers. These systems are already featured in more than 30,000 vehicles worldwide.
Gary Broadfield, joint-founder of Wheely-Safe and now Managing Director of Wheely-Safe Sensors, says, “Our primary focus from day one has been to protect as many road users as possible from the risk of wheel loss. By making our sensors available for integration with more third-party systems, we’re opening the door to deployment on a scale we couldn’t achieve purely as a systems manufacturer.”
“The fact so many telematics solutions include a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) has meant some fleets didn’t want to put two black boxes on the same vehicle. Now, those fleets can ask their telematics provider to add our unique wheel loss sensors into their solution – with or without our TPMS sensors. Integration is quick and easy, and no other Wheely-Safe hardware is required on the asset.”
How Does Wheely-Safe Work?
It uses two sets of sensors as a final control measure, protecting vehicle operators from the potentially catastrophic consequences of a wheel detaching in motion. The system mounts robust sensors in a bracket that straddles two wheel nuts, with two sensors installed per wheel. The sensors raise alerts as soon as they detect a nut beginning to loosen.
The same sensors monitor temperatures around the brakes and hub, detecting early signs of overheating. They help fleet operators identify potential fire risks caused by sticking brakes or hub failure. Moreover, they also enhance security by notifying the transport office if someone removes a wheel outside a designated maintenance depot.
Wheely-Safe’s TPMS sensors screw onto the valve stem. Operators can integrate them with the vehicle’s existing telematics installation when required. These help to guard against the one-third of roadside breakdowns which are due to tyre incidents, of which research shows 90% are for pressure-related issues.
Gary Thomas, joint-founder of Wheely-Safe and now Business Development Director for Wheely-Safe Sensors, explains, “Further opening access to our sensor technology is a huge step for Wheely-Safe, but one which will benefit telematics providers, fleets, and wider road users. We’ve spent years developing and refining the product; this is an exciting opportunity to continue the journey but on a much bigger scale.”
