In an email interaction with Bus Coach India, Neil Unadkat Chief Technology Officer, Intangles, shed light on company’s future plans and ongoing initiatives. Besides, he also discussed market progress, challenges is the mobility ecosystem facing, and DPF technology.
Q: How is Intangles different from its key competitors, and describe its focus on predictive insights for the CV industry?
Intangles distinguishes itself by transforming complex telemetry data into clear, actionable insights tailored to fleet managers’ KPIs. Unlike competitors, Intangles offers highly accurate performance analytics, precise predictive maintenance alerts, and detailed diagnostic insights, enabling proactive decision-making.
Key Differentiators:
- Actionable Insights: Intangles simplifies complex data into usable insights, helping fleet managers optimize fuel consumption, monitor distance, and manage engine hours effectively.
- Predictive Precision: The platform provides precise predictive maintenance alerts with detailed repair strategies, reducing engine breakdowns, downtime, and maintenance costs.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Automated reports on schedules, fuel pilferage, and operational metrics reduce manual work and enhance operational planning.
- OEM Collaboration: Intangles collaborates with OEMs to use real-time data for product improvement and proactive service, a first in India.
Focus on Predictive Insights: Intangles empowers fleet managers with predictive insights for better operational planning, cost reduction, and increased profitability, ensuring fleets operate efficiently and stay ahead of potential issues.
Q: What challenges is the mobility ecosystem facing, and how is Intangles addressing them?
The mobility ecosystem is grappling with challenges such as skyrocketing fuel prices, rising labor costs, and a shortage of skilled and unskilled workers. Additionally, tightening regulations and increasing competition are adding complexity to fleet operations. To navigate these pressures, fleet operators need robust cost control measures and advanced technology to optimize operations and protect their bottom line. While many solutions exist, few offer the comprehensive insights required to address the core issues of asset health and operational efficiency.
How Intangles Addresses These Challenges:
Intangles tackles these challenges by providing comprehensive predictive insights that alert operators to potential failures well in advance. These alerts come with detailed diagnostic instructions, empowering fleet managers to proactively maintain vehicle health. By leveraging virtual twin technology, Intangles conducts peer-to-peer comparisons and delivers tailored recommendations, turning vehicle health management into a collective, data-driven effort. This approach not only helps in preventing costly breakdowns but also optimizes overall fleet performance, making Intangles a vital partner in the evolving mobility ecosystem.
Q: What is your growth and expansion plan for the next two years?
Our growth strategy is focused on maintaining an annual growth rate of over 100%, consistent with our past performance. We plan to expand into developed economies, targeting sectors poised for digital transformation, which will open new opportunities for our advanced solutions.
Key to our expansion is the rollout of cutting-edge products, including advanced video telematics systems and the next generation of our AI-driven predictive analytics tools. These innovations will enhance our ability to manage a wider range of heavy assets, leveraging data for superior efficiency and predictive maintenance.
To support this ambitious growth, we are in the process of securing additional capital through a new funding round. This will enable us to enter new markets and solidify our presence in existing ones, building on our strong track record of successful funding and expansion.
Q: What is Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) technology? How is it beneficial for commercial vehicles?
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) technology is an essential emission control mechanism integrated into diesel engines to capture and remove soot particles from the exhaust gases. These filters are designed to trap and oxidize particulate matter, such as soot, which is a byproduct of diesel combustion. By doing so, DPFs play a crucial role in reducing the emission of harmful pollutants, helping vehicles comply with stringent environmental regulations.
For commercial vehicles, DPF technology offers several significant benefits. Firstly, it contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable operation by drastically reducing the release of particulate matter into the atmosphere. This is particularly important in meeting global emissions standards and promoting environmental responsibility. Secondly, by capturing and periodically burning off soot during regeneration cycles, DPFs help maintain the efficiency and longevity of diesel engines. This leads to lower maintenance costs and improved reliability, which are critical for commercial fleets that depend on consistent performance and uptime.
Q: How will DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) boost fuel efficiency, and improve engine performance for the commercial vehicles?
DPF technology enhances fuel efficiency and engine performance through several interconnected mechanisms.
- Soot Load Detection: Advanced sensors within the DPF system continuously monitor the accumulation of soot particles, enabling timely detection of soot levels. By accurately assessing when the filter is approaching its capacity, the system can initiate regeneration processes before the soot load starts to negatively impact engine performance.
- Soot Burn Quality Estimation: The technology also evaluates the effectiveness of the soot burn during regeneration. High-quality burns ensure that the filter is cleared efficiently, preventing partial clogging that could otherwise lead to increased exhaust back pressure and reduced engine efficiency.
- Soot Burn Quality Evidence: By providing tangible data on the effectiveness of soot burns, the system offers evidence that can be used to optimize engine parameters and ensure that the regeneration process is functioning at its best. This data-driven approach helps maintain optimal combustion conditions, which in turn supports better fuel efficiency.
- Active Recommendations: The AI-powered DPF system can recommend the best times and conditions for regeneration, such as during periods of low engine load or when the vehicle is stationary. This minimizes disruptions to operations and ensures that the engine operates in its most efficient state. These recommendations, combined with predictive maintenance alerts, help fleet operators avoid conditions that could lead to suboptimal performance, such as clogged filters or excessive exhaust back pressure.
By addressing soot accumulation proactively and maintaining the engine in optimal working conditions, DPF technology not only prevents the efficiency losses associated with clogged filters but also contributes to an overall improvement in fuel economy, typically in the range of 3.5% to 5%. This not only reduces operational costs for fleet operators but also supports efforts towards lower emissions and more sustainable transportation practices.
Q: Could you share the key achievements and partnerships that have contributed to Intangles’ growth in the Indian market?
April 2022: SuperStartUps Asia Gold Award
In April 2022, we received the SuperStartUps Asia Gold Award from NFX Digital, recognizing us as one of Asia’s most promising and innovative startups. This accolade highlights our growing influence and commitment to innovation.
- August 2022: Launch of the Inline Driver Scorecard Feature
We launched our inline driver scorecard feature in August 2022. This initiative promotes fuel efficiency and proper driving behavior by providing comprehensive scorecards that encourage and reward exemplary driving practices.
- February 2023: Series A Funding and Aegis Graham Bell Award
In February 2023, we successfully closed our Series A funding round, securing $10 million to support market expansion and team growth. Additionally, we received the Aegis Graham Bell Award for Innovation in Connected Vehicles, recognizing our contributions to advancing connected vehicle technologies.
Global Expansion
In 2023, we expanded our operations to North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, reflecting our commitment to addressing global demand for innovative automotive solutions.
- March 2023: U.S. Patent for Fuel Measurement Technology
We were granted a U.S. patent for our Sub-Resolution Fuel Measurement technology in March 2023, underscoring our innovation in fuel monitoring and enabling unprecedented accuracy for fleet managers and OEMs.
- May 2023: Revolutionizing EVs with Ambient Cognitive AI
In May 2023, we launched our Ambient Cognitive AI Technology for Electric Vehicles, enhancing EV adoption by enabling connected EVs to adapt dynamically to their environment in real-time, improving range accuracy and operational efficiency.
June 2023: Introducing DDLG Technology for LNG Vehicles
In June 2023, we unveiled DDLG (Dynamic Density using Localized Gradients) technology for LNG vehicles, setting a new standard for monitoring fuel consumption and optimizing energy efficiency.
- November 2023: Forbes India DGEMS Recognition
Forbes India DGEMS recognized us in November 2023 as one of the Select 200 Companies with Global Business Potential, highlighting our international growth potential and impact in the automotive technology sector.
- March 2024: ET Entrepreneur IT/ITES Service Provider of the Year Award
We received the IT/ITES Service Provider of the Year Award at the ET Entrepreneur Awards in March 2024, celebrating our disruptive innovations and contributions to the mobility sector.
- March 2024: Pioneering Diesel Particulate Filter Solution
In March 2024, we launched a cutting-edge Diesel Particulate Filter solution to optimize the regeneration process, enhancing vehicle efficiency and reducing on-road breakdowns and fuel costs.
- July 2024: Launch of Video Telematics Solution
In July 2024, we introduced our advanced video telematics solution, integrating live tracking and video streaming. This system enhances fleet safety and operational efficiency by providing real-time visibility and monitoring driver behavior to reduce accident risks and ensure compliance.
Q: Breakdowns for buses become a major problem during the summer on Delhi roads. How does Intangles optimize fleet performance and reduce fuel costs with its AI-powered platform?
We address the challenge of frequent bus breakdowns by providing real-time insights and predictive maintenance solutions that keep vehicles operational and reduce costs. Here’s how:
- Vehicle Health Monitoring: We use historic and real-time data to deliver alerts about potential failures, significantly reducing on-road breakdowns. This proactive approach not only increases operational hours but also lowers maintenance and repair costs. By preventing breakdowns, fleet operators avoid unplanned expenses such as towing and post-failure repairs. The platform provides detailed fault codes, enabling fleet managers to take timely action based on the severity of the issue.
- Fuel and AdBlue Monitoring: Fuel theft and inefficient fuel usage are major concerns for fleet operators. Our ML-based algorithms accurately track fuel and AdBlue usage, detecting exact amounts and locations of any pilferage. This precise monitoring helps calculate the true cost per kilometer, optimizing fuel efficiency and reducing operational costs.
- Driver Behavior Monitoring: Poor driving practices can lead to accidents, increased repair costs, and higher insurance premiums. We track over 20 driving behavior exceptions, such as overspeeding and hard braking, providing actionable insights to improve driver performance. The Driving Scorecard feature promotes and incentivizes good driving habits, which in turn enhances fuel efficiency and vehicle longevity.
- Video Telematics: The platform enhances safety and compliance through video telematics that detect driver fatigue, distractions, and unsafe behaviors. It also includes Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features like forward collision warnings and lane departure alerts. Live tracking and on-demand video reviews improve operational decision-making, ensuring safer and more efficient fleet management.
Q: How do Digital Twin technology and ML algorithms work together to provide predictive insights in the CV industry?
Digital Twin technology and machine learning (ML) algorithms collaborate seamlessly to offer powerful predictive insights in the commercial vehicle (CV) industry. Here’s how they work together:
- Data Collection: Proprietary hardware installed in vehicles integrates with their diagnostic interfaces, collecting data across a diverse range of OEMs and powertrain technologies. This data encompasses various aspects of vehicle performance, including engine cooling systems, fuel consumption, and driving behavior.
- Data Transmission and Processing: The collected data is transmitted to the cloud via a cellular network, where it is processed by a highly customized server backbone. This infrastructure ensures that the data is efficiently ingested and prepared for analysis.
- Behavior Modeling: The data is then funneled into specialized ML algorithms, which model the behavior of critical systems and components within the vehicle. For instance, algorithms might simulate the operation of the engine’s cooling system or the fuel tank to predict potential failures or inefficiencies.
- Predictive Insights: By analyzing the modeled behavior, the ML algorithms generate predictive insights, such as early warnings of component failures, precise statistics on vehicle performance (e.g., fuel consumption, distance traveled, run hours), and driving behavior analysis. These insights enable fleet operators to perform proactive maintenance, optimize fuel efficiency, and improve overall fleet management.
- Automated Reporting: The system also leverages geospatial intelligence to produce automated reports, providing fleet managers with actionable data on vehicle health, performance, and driver behavior, all of which contribute to more informed decision-making.
Q: How has safety evolved in the automotive industry? How is Intangles working on improving safety of vehicles?
Safety in the automotive industry has undergone significant evolution over the decades, transitioning from basic mechanical safeguards to advanced, technology-driven systems. Initially, safety features were primarily focused on passive measures such as seatbelts and airbags, designed to protect occupants in the event of an accident. As technology advanced, the industry shifted towards active safety systems that prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. These include anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and more recently, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like lane departure warnings, automthe atic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
The advent of digital technologies has further transformed automotive safety, integrating real-time data analytics, machine learning, and connected vehicle systems to create smarter, more responsive safety solutions. The focus has moved from merely protecting occupants to preventing accidents, optimizing vehicle performance, and ensuring comprehensive safety across all aspects of vehicle operation.
Intangles’ Role in Enhancing Vehicle Safety:
Intangles is at the forefront of this safety evolution, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance vehicle safety through its AI-powered platform. Here’s how Intangles contributes:
- Predictive Maintenance: By providing real-time insights and predictive alerts on vehicle health, we help prevent breakdowns that could lead to accidents. This proactive approach ensures that vehicles remain in optimal condition, reducing the risk of safety-critical failures on the road.
- Driver Behavior Monitoring: We track and analyze driver behavior, identifying risky practices such as over speeding, hard braking, and excessive idling. The platform generates actionable insights and personalized feedback to promote safer driving habits, reducing the likelihood of accidents caused by human error.
- Advanced Video Telematics: We have incorporated advanced video telematics to monitor and alert on dangerous driving behavior, such as driver fatigue, distraction, and non-compliance with safety protocols like seatbelt usage. The system also provides ADAS features like forward collision warnings and lane departure alerts, further enhancing road safety.
- Comprehensive Safety Reporting: Our automated safety reports provide fleet managers with a holistic view of vehicle and driver safety performance. These reports highlight areas for improvement, enabling targeted interventions that enhance overall fleet safety.