“Internet of things” cloud platform provider Samsara Inc. today launched a new solution designed to address driver training and build safe habits while on the road.

Samsara’s new Proactive Driver Coaching is an evolution of the company’s existing in-cab coaching capability. The service combines artificial intelligence and coaching technology to take a preventive approach to driver coaching, elevating the in-cab experience to help drivers build safe habits during the moments that matter — in real time, before an incident occurs.

With “In-Cab Nudges,” Mobile Usage Detection and No Seatbelt Detection now available, Proactive Driver Coaching is said to make it possible to prevent incidents before they occur by detecting risky driving behaviors and delivering real-time voice coaching to help drivers improve their behavior. The AI In-Cab Alerts shift training from a reactive coaching approach after an incident to proactively providing coaching before an incident occurs.

Samsara claims that by eliminating the feedback loop, the In-Cab Alerts help drivers immediately identify and self-correct risky behaviors and avoid near misses during the moments that matter.

Samsara argues that drivers may not be aware of an issue, such as an unbuckled seatbelt, or receive feedback on a risky behavior such as mobile usage until they are pulled off the road to review event footage with a safety manager.

Along with proactively assisting drivers to self-correct risky behaviors, the system also motivates and incentivizes drivers to build safe practices. The system offers an awards system integrated with the Samsara Driver App that enables drivers to compete with peers for potential rewards by building safe habits while on the road — in short, the company is gamifying safe driving. Drivers are awarded Driver Safety Scores and participate in a Safety Leaderboard.

“By rewarding safe driving habits and celebrating positive progress, the company claims, customers can proactively recognize driver performance, increase engagement and boost retention.

In testing coming into the launch, Eurovia USA, a transport infrastructure company, saw an 80% decrease in mobile usage events in the 30 days after deploying AI In-Cab Alerts for Mobile Usage Detection. For Seatbelt Detection, it saw a 76% decrease over the same time period.

“Samsara helped us with being transparent on the why? Why is safety so important? It’s about the drivers, first and foremost,” explained Ruby Dubay, vice president of environmental health and safety and human resources at Eurovia USA. “The cameras improve our drivers’ safety and well-being so they can stay on the road.”

Image: Samsara