Telematics Device

A telematics device is a unit installed in a vehicle to track its position and data remotely. It combines a GPS receiver, usually an accelerometer, a SIM card that transmits the data, and a connection to the vehicle through the diagnostic port or hardwiring.

It is the hardware building block of telematics: it links the vehicle to the fleet management platform, where the fleet manager sees positions, trips and alerts.

What is inside

• The GPS receiver provides the vehicle's position, speed and heading: the basis of trip tracking.
• The accelerometer detects harsh braking, acceleration and impacts, which are used to assess driving behavior.
• The vehicle connection goes through the on-board diagnostics (OBD) port on a light vehicle, or through direct wiring, especially on heavy trucks. It gives access to standardized fault codes; mileage and fuel level depend on parameters specific to each manufacturer.
• The communication module, with its SIM card, sends the data over the mobile network to the platform.

Types of devices

An OBD device plugs into the diagnostic port without tools. A hardwired device is installed by a technician: more discreet, it also fits vehicles without a diagnostic port and, depending on the model, enables functions such as remote engine immobilization.

Some vehicles also leave the factory with a built-in communication unit, called for example a BTA (boîtier télématique autonome) at PSA or a TCU at Renault (Innovauto, in French). That unit is what makes a model a connected vehicle: its data can feed fleet management software without installing anything, if the brand offers a data service for that model.

Device or connected vehicle?

The choice is made vehicle by vehicle: the connected vehicle where the brand allows it, a device elsewhere. Installation, data, compatibility, cost and GDPR are the criteria to compare.

How Dadycar helps

Dadycar brings both sources into the same interface: compatible connected vehicles send their data without a device, and the others receive a GPS/OBD device supplied by our partner Teltonika. The telematics without a device and fleet geolocation and tracking pages give the details.