Elegant and efficient: Isuzu demonstrates benefits of Mimomari telemetry with timely eco-drive fleet training

Building on their proprietary Mimomari telematics tech originally developed for the Japanese domestic market, Isuzu has been offering their fleet clients some best practices lessons that are reinforced by realtime telemetry.  Since June 2018,  Isuzu has been holding monthly sessions for instructing fleet drivers on optimal methods for efficient and safe driving, and they’ve been putting meat to these lessons  by offering actual data on how the students fare with the training. 

Their Mimomari technology stack was first deployed to comply with Japan’s mandate for driver activity logs back in 2004 but has since grown into a system that provides realtime tracking of vehicles and monitoring of driver behavior.  What started out as a data-capture tool for ensuring driver welfare has expanded and deepened into a fleet management system that now adds options for advanced geo-fencing. 

Building on the realtime and remote GPS tracking features essential to Mimomari telemetry, the system now makes these even more actionable by offering fleet managers the option to declare authorized routes and localities–virtually fenced-in swaths on the map where fleet trucks are allowed to roam, any departures from which would raise an alarm.  The feature evolved in Japan where Mimomari tech eventually found its way to private vehicles, this for family members to monitor the location of senior citizens and other persons with elevated risk levels.  And it is this feature, ironically, that could make the current  Mimomari telematics suite of compelling relevance to fleet owners here where they face the constant risk of hijacked shipments.

Press Statement by Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), “IPC optimizes truck fleet customers’ businesses with Isuzu Eco-Drive Training,” 2018:

Owning, driving, and maintaining an Isuzu commercial vehicle is already a sound business investment in itself, as the world’s foremost manufacturer of diesel-powered engine assures the power, reliability, durability, and fuel efficiency in every vehicle that rolls out of its assembly.

However, to maximize the strengths of every Isuzu truck, maintaining and operating it must also be up to par with the best practices, techniques, and technologies. These best practices and techniques can mitigate the adverse effects of the current volatility of fuel supplies and prices in the global market. This global volatility, and the resulting cycle of local price markups and markdowns, have been causing headaches for business owners who are finding it extremely difficult to project their medium- and long-term profits and losses.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation has taken the initiative to share with its fleet customers of Isuzu trucks the theories, practical knowledge, and the latest technology in optimal and responsible driving in its monthly Isuzu Eco-Drive Training. This special training, which only Isuzu can offer, ultimately aims to support the profitability of the businesses of fleet owners by expertly training their drivers how to drive efficiently.

These sessions–an adaptation of Wacom Hokkaido Co Ltd’s driver education program on economy and safety driving that has become well-received by customers over the years–began in June 2018. During these training sessions, IPC’s fleet customer representatives (mostly driver employees) engage in discussions and lectures on economical and efficient driving. Then, participants undergo actual driving exercises using Isuzu light-duty vehicles installed with the Mimamori Online Service advanced operation information system, and guided by specially trained expert Isuzu drivers.

The Mimamori Online Service advanced operation information system employs the latest communications and GPS technology to collect real-time data on vehicle operation status. This data is shared with the Mimamori Center, where it is analyzed to enable real-time vehicle management through interactive communication between the vehicle and the office. On the vehicle side, voice guidance and audible alarms advise the driver on fuel-use reduction and safe driving while the vehicle is in motion. Meanwhile, on the management side, the system provides the ability to track the vehicle’s current location and status of operation in order to help maximize logistics efficiency.

Finally, participants undergo a seminar on the actual practice of conducting daily inspections, which reinforces the preventive maintenance procedures for every Isuzu vehicle.

For more information on the Isuzu Eco-Drive Training sessions, log on to www.isuzuphil.com.