Sygic Introduces Driving Behavior Analysis as Part of Navigation Platform

Sygic used the Gitex Technology Week in Dubai to launch a new driving behavior algorithm that is meant to promote safer driving among motorists. Sygic is a company that was founded in Bratislava and making the first ever turn-by-turn navigation app for iPhone. The new algorithm which will be a part of Sygic Mobile & Navigation SDK platform was developed with the aim of making drivers more conscious about their behavior while at the wheel through the provision of data regarding four variables – speed, acceleration, braking and corning. This data is provided in real time and helps motorists to assess their driving style. Another factor that is considered is driver distraction as the algorithm assesses whether the driver is touching or using a mobile phone while driving. The drivers are scored on the basis of their performance with regard to these parameters. The more careless they are, the lower their score.

The Sygic team developed unique technology that is used in tandem with phone sensors to get all the required data even without internet connection. Thus, the algorithm can be easily integrated into any automotive or fleet solution. Cars having compatible connectivity like a Smart Device Link (SDL) can even use built-in sensors in the car for a higher level of experience and reliability. The score can be evaluated after each trip and saved in the Trip Log. This can then be sent to the backend and can be used as a source for big data analytics, machine learning, and data mining.

Iron Mountain Ireland performed a study titled “Driving for Work from Iron Mountain” which revelaed that use of driver behavior telemetry in fleets can deliver a return on investment within eight months and companies which scored drivers based on their driving patterns benefited from a decrease of incidents by 87 percent and maintenance by 30 percent.

Commenting on the innovation, Sygic CEO Martin Strigac said that the most unique feature of the innovation was that it can be processed in real time and thus provide prompt feedback to the driver so that he can improve his style while driving and reduce dangerous behavior in a proactive manner.

Strigac added, “Instead of late report or dashboard with the trip log, we can educate and encourage them in a fun way by integrating our enterprise gamification features, coaching, rewarding or social elements.”

The algorithm can be integrated into a wide range of solutions which are used by corporate car and truck fleets or insurance companies. Using wide knowledge and data from 200 million users worldwide, it can reliably replace expensive hardware solutions. All modules are extending the existing Sygic Mobile & Navigation SDK platform and Sygic Maps modules to offer it to third-party development teams.