Oct/Nov 2006

German telematics and mapping specialist ptv is the latest company to have partnered with IBM on the telematics front.

The company has developed what it is calling a "telematics black box", which includes GPS and communications technology. Ptv says it allows data exchange between the vehicle and a control centre, providing information about the vehicle's position, speed and route.

IBM is understood to have several objectives in mind for the system. Alongside classic tracking/fleet management activities, it is also said to see applications for it in electronic road tolling and road-user charging, and its first use will be in a tolling application in Dubai. IBM was of course one of the organisations interested in a role running for Britain's abandoned lorry road user charging scheme.

IBM is already well established in the telematics market, especially in its native United States, where it has developed systems for everything from fleet management and emissions monitoring to usage-based insurance tracking.

Back in 2004, truck manufacturer International adopted IBM technology when it launched what it called the first integrated, real-time OEM telematics solution.