Colin Linkedin10 Mar 2023 14:41
Quick post on the Seeing Machines Capital Markets Day held in NYC on March 8. Assumptions of synergies between the #automotive and fleet (#Guardian) product development roadmap proved to be correct, although the crossover isn't the form factor (mirror) but rather the optical path (automotive grade) and the feature set. The Guardian Gen3 unit outline isn't a million miles away from the Cipia FleetSense box shown in the image below.
Oddly, we are in a position where the state-of-the-art #technology for #driver #monitoring is now in trucks. The automotive industry is far behind the truck makers and fleet operators in terms of recognizing the importance of seeing and understanding human behavior as it applies to crash risk, and of appreciating the role of #humanfactors research to improve #transportation #safety.
The assumption is that Guardian Gen3 uses all of the features developed so far for the automotive market. As a one-box #telematics solution, it follows that future features can be downloaded over-the-air #OTA since those will only be #software updates (enhancements to the #algorithms). The underlying #strategy therefore remains to use Guardian as the R&D platform for feature development, as well as to function as a telematics safety business. This will be particularly important in the years ahead, as #intoxication and advanced #impairment features need real-world testing for deployment in the automotive industry to meet global regulations. There may even be options for specific truck operators to sign up as "R&D partners" to test the cutting-edge features, which could be selectively downloaded over-the-air just to their fleet, for advanced testing.
Seeing Machines appears to have learnt all the best parts of Tesla's strategy of using over-the-air updates for continuous product development. That was the key takeaway for me from the NYC presentation.
We don't yet know if most truck makers will integrate a fixed feature set DMS into their trucks to meet General Safety Regulation #GSR, or instead attach an after-manufacture telematics box with a #roadmap of continuous improvements using over-the-air updates. I'm not an expert on fleet or telematics, but the opportunity for Guardian looks larger than in automotive. As always, the real development is taking place far away from where everyone is looking.
For institutional investors and financial analysts seeking to discuss these issues in further detail, I can be booked for telephone-based consultancy via GLG and Guidepoint. Just ask for me by name.
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