Telematics & ELD Systems

Telematics and electronic logging device systems connect commercial trucks, trailers, drivers, fleet managers, maintenance departments, dispatchers, and safety personnel through vehicle data, wireless communication, location tracking, electronic records, cameras, sensors, and fleet-management software.

Truck Equipment Atlas covers electronic logging devices, vehicle gateways, GPS tracking systems, AI dash cameras, trailer trackers, asset-monitoring devices, driver communication platforms, remote diagnostics, fleet-intelligence systems, and connected technologies used throughout highway, regional, vocational, construction, delivery, and specialized commercial operations.

The Telematics and ELD Systems Library includes individual product profiles, major system categories, installation and compatibility information, compliance considerations, manufacturer coverage, operational guidance, and educational resources designed to help readers understand connected commercial-vehicle technology.

Explore Commercial Telematics and ELD Categories

Commercial telematics systems can be classified according to their primary function, installed location, communication method, connected assets, compliance capabilities, and fleet application. Explore the major telematics and ELD categories on Truck Equipment Atlas:

Electronic Logging Devices & HOS Compliance

Electronic logging devices record driving time, engine status, vehicle movement, mileage, and other information used to support hours-of-service records. This category covers ELD hardware, driver applications, in-cab displays, compliance platforms, data-transfer functions, inspection modes, and supporting fleet software.

Fleet Telematics & Vehicle Gateways

Fleet telematics systems and vehicle gateways collect information from the truck, positioning network, diagnostic systems, sensors, and connected equipment. This category covers vehicle gateways, GPS tracking, engine-data connections, wireless communication, fleet dashboards, utilization reporting, and vehicle-performance monitoring.

AI Dash Cameras & Video Telematics

AI dash cameras and video-telematics systems combine recorded video with vehicle movement, location, driver behavior, and safety-event information. This category covers road-facing cameras, dual-facing cameras, auxiliary cameras, event recording, live viewing, driver alerts, coaching tools, and collision documentation.

Trailer & Asset Tracking Systems

Trailer and asset tracking systems help fleets locate equipment, monitor utilization, identify unauthorized movement, and manage connected trailers and unpowered assets. This category covers cellular trackers, satellite trackers, solar-powered devices, cargo sensors, door sensors, temperature monitoring, and trailer telematics.

Driver Communication & Workflow Systems

Driver communication and workflow systems connect drivers with dispatch, safety, maintenance, payroll, and fleet-management personnel. This category covers in-cab displays, driver applications, messaging, document capture, navigation integration, dispatch workflows, inspection reporting, and electronic forms.

Remote Diagnostics & Fleet Intelligence

Remote diagnostics and fleet-intelligence systems convert vehicle and equipment data into information that can support maintenance planning, fault-code evaluation, fuel management, route analysis, utilization tracking, driver coaching, and operational decision-making.

Telematics and ELD System Guides

The Telematics and ELD System Guides section provides educational resources covering electronic logs, hours-of-service compliance, vehicle gateways, GPS tracking, AI dash cameras, trailer tracking, system selection, installation, data management, driver use, and fleet integration.

Commercial Telematics and ELD Products on Truck Equipment Atlas

Truck Equipment Atlas includes a growing library of individual ELD, telematics, camera, vehicle-gateway, trailer-tracking, and asset-monitoring profiles from manufacturers serving the commercial trucking and trailer industries.

Explore the telematics products and equipment families being added to the library:

Samsara

Motive

Geotab

Additional ELDs, vehicle gateways, fleet-management platforms, AI dash cameras, trailer trackers, asset monitors, driver displays, remote-diagnostic systems, sensors, and connected-fleet technologies will be added as the Truck Equipment Atlas Telematics and ELD Systems Library continues to expand.

Telematics and ELD Guides on Truck Equipment Atlas

Truck Equipment Atlas is also developing educational guides that explain how commercial telematics, electronic logging, GPS tracking, connected cameras, trailer tracking, and fleet-data systems work.

How Commercial Telematics Systems Work

A commercial telematics system collects information from a truck, trailer, driver, or piece of equipment and transfers that information to a connected software platform. The system may use engine-network connections, GPS signals, accelerometers, cameras, temperature sensors, door sensors, cargo sensors, or other inputs.

A vehicle gateway or tracking device processes the collected information and transmits it through a cellular, satellite, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth connection. Fleet personnel can then view supported information through a web dashboard, mobile application, dispatch platform, maintenance system, or integrated fleet-management program.

The information available depends on the installed hardware, software subscription, vehicle connection, sensor package, communications coverage, fleet configuration, and permissions assigned to drivers and administrators.

Electronic Logging Devices and Hours-of-Service Records

An electronic logging device connects with the commercial vehicle to record information associated with driving status and vehicle operation. The driver uses an in-cab display, smartphone, tablet, or dedicated terminal to review logs, change duty status, certify records, add annotations, and present required information during an inspection.

An ELD system may record or manage information that includes:

Date and time
Vehicle location
Engine power status
Vehicle movement
Vehicle mileage
Engine hours
Driver duty status
Unidentified driving activity
Log edits and annotations
Diagnostic and malfunction events

Using an ELD does not by itself guarantee compliance. Drivers and motor carriers remain responsible for accurate records, proper duty-status selection, required supporting documents, system operation, malfunction procedures, and compliance with applicable regulations.

Vehicle Gateways and Data Connections

A vehicle gateway serves as the connection between the commercial vehicle and the telematics platform. Depending on the system, it may connect to the vehicle diagnostic port, engine data network, electrical system, sensors, cameras, or auxiliary equipment.

Information collected through a gateway may include:

Vehicle location and movement
Engine speed and operating hours
Vehicle speed
Fuel consumption
Diagnostic trouble codes
Battery voltage
Idle time
Hard braking or acceleration events
Power take-off operation
Connected sensor information

Available information varies by vehicle, engine, model year, diagnostic protocol, installed hardware, cable, software package, and fleet configuration.

GPS Tracking and Fleet Visibility

GPS tracking allows authorized fleet personnel to view the location and movement of connected trucks, trailers, and equipment. Depending on the platform, location information may support dispatching, estimated arrival times, route review, geofencing, theft recovery, detention analysis, equipment utilization, and customer-service updates.

Tracking accuracy and reporting frequency can be affected by antenna placement, surrounding structures, terrain, communications coverage, device power, subscription level, and equipment configuration.

AI Dash Cameras and Video Telematics

Video-telematics systems combine camera footage with information such as location, speed, braking, acceleration, steering movement, and detected driving events. Road-facing cameras record the area ahead of the vehicle, while dual-facing systems can also record or analyze activity inside the cab.

Depending on the product and configuration, camera systems may support:

Collision recording
Event-triggered video uploads
Manual video capture
Live viewing
Driver coaching
Forward-collision warnings
Following-distance monitoring
Lane-position monitoring
Distracted-driving detection
Drowsiness detection
Claims investigation
Driver exoneration

Camera placement, calibration, privacy policies, data retention, driver notification, audio settings, administrator permissions, and applicable laws should be reviewed before a system is deployed.

Trailer and Asset Tracking

Trailer and asset trackers are designed for powered and unpowered equipment that may spend long periods disconnected from a tractor. Devices may use internal batteries, replaceable batteries, solar panels, trailer electrical power, or a combination of power sources.

Connected trailer and asset systems may monitor:

Current or last-reported location
Trailer movement
Geofence entry or exit
Loaded or unloaded status
Cargo presence
Door position
Temperature
Tire pressure
Refrigeration-unit operation
ABS fault information
Device battery condition
Unauthorized movement

The exact information available depends on the tracker, sensors, trailer equipment, power supply, communications network, and fleet subscription.

Driver Communication and Workflow Management

Connected driver platforms can replace or supplement paper logs, printed dispatch instructions, handwritten inspection reports, fuel receipts, delivery documents, and telephone-based communication.

Common driver-workflow functions can include:

Dispatch assignments
Two-way messaging
Navigation and route information
Electronic vehicle inspections
Document scanning
Proof of delivery
Fuel and expense reporting
Training and safety messages
Maintenance reporting
Customer and stop information

Remote Diagnostics and Maintenance Integration

Remote-diagnostic systems can identify supported vehicle fault information and transmit it to fleet personnel before the truck returns to a maintenance facility. This may help maintenance departments evaluate fault severity, prepare parts, schedule service, communicate with drivers, and decide whether the vehicle should continue operating.

A reported fault code should be treated as diagnostic information rather than a complete repair diagnosis. Technicians may still need physical inspections, manufacturer service information, testing equipment, operating history, and additional troubleshooting before making repairs.

Common Telematics and ELD Configurations

Commercial telematics installations vary according to fleet size, vehicle type, operating area, compliance requirements, equipment age, communication needs, and the information the fleet wants to collect.

Common configurations include:

Plug-in ELD with a driver smartphone or tablet
Vehicle gateway with a dedicated in-cab display
Integrated ELD and fleet-telematics platform
Road-facing dash camera with vehicle gateway
Dual-facing AI dash camera
Multi-camera vehicle-surveillance system
Battery-powered trailer tracker
Solar-powered trailer tracker
Powered trailer telematics gateway
Refrigerated-trailer monitoring system
Remote-diagnostic and maintenance platform
Integrated dispatch and driver-workflow system

Highway, Regional, Vocational, and Trailer Applications

Long-haul fleets may prioritize ELD compliance, dispatch communication, fuel reporting, route visibility, driver workflow, trailer tracking, and nationwide communications coverage.

Regional and delivery operations may place greater emphasis on route progress, geofencing, stop duration, proof of delivery, driver communication, vehicle utilization, and customer arrival information.

Vocational fleets may use telematics to monitor power take-off operation, engine hours, equipment utilization, job-site arrival, idle time, maintenance requirements, and specialized body equipment.

Trailer fleets may prioritize asset location, unauthorized movement, cargo status, door activity, temperature, tire information, ABS faults, detention, utilization, and maintenance planning.

Advantages of Modern Telematics and ELD Systems

Modern connected-vehicle technology can provide several operational advantages:

Electronic hours-of-service records
Real-time or scheduled vehicle-location reporting
Improved dispatch visibility
Faster communication with drivers
Trailer and asset-location monitoring
Remote vehicle diagnostics
Automated safety-event identification
Video documentation of roadway incidents
Driver-coaching support
Fuel and idle-time reporting
Maintenance-planning information
Improved vehicle and trailer utilization
Electronic inspection and document workflows

The actual benefits depend on product selection, installation, driver training, fleet policies, software configuration, data quality, system integration, cellular or satellite coverage, and consistent use by drivers and fleet personnel.

Telematics and ELD Limitations and Considerations

No single telematics or ELD system is ideal for every commercial fleet.

Important considerations include:

Hardware purchase or lease cost
Monthly subscription fees
Installation requirements
Vehicle and diagnostic-port compatibility
Cellular or satellite coverage
Software integration
Driver training
Data accuracy and reporting delays
Camera and driver-privacy concerns
Cybersecurity and account security
Data ownership and retention policies
Hardware replacement and support
Regulatory certification and compliance
Dependence on third-party software services
Compatibility with older vehicles

Driver and Operator Considerations

Drivers interact directly with many telematics and ELD functions. A system should present required information clearly without creating unnecessary distraction or making normal driving and compliance tasks more difficult.

Drivers should understand:

How to sign in and select the correct vehicle
How to update duty status
How to review and certify logs
How to add annotations
How to manage unidentified driving records
How to transfer or display records during an inspection
How to recognize diagnostic and malfunction indicators
How to report damaged hardware or connection problems
When cameras record and how footage is used
How to use messaging and workflow features safely

Maintenance and Ownership

Telematics hardware requires inspection and maintenance even when it has no conventional mechanical service interval.

Important maintenance areas can include:

Inspecting power and diagnostic cables
Checking connectors and mounting hardware
Verifying antenna condition and placement
Cleaning camera lenses
Checking camera aim and calibration
Testing driver displays and mobile devices
Confirming GPS and cellular communication
Installing approved software and firmware updates
Reviewing diagnostic and malfunction reports
Checking trailer-tracker batteries and solar panels
Maintaining connected sensors
Managing user accounts and permissions
Removing access for former drivers and employees

Maintenance and support requirements vary between manufacturers, hardware generations, software platforms, vehicles, trailers, sensors, and subscription packages.

Major Commercial Telematics and ELD Manufacturers

Truck Equipment Atlas covers telematics hardware, ELDs, cameras, vehicle gateways, trailer trackers, asset monitors, and connected-fleet platforms from manufacturers and technology providers serving the commercial trucking industry.

Current and planned coverage includes:

Samsara
Motive
Geotab
Omnitracs
ISAAC Instruments
EROAD
Zonar
SkyBitz
Phillips Connect
Powerfleet
Platform Science
Verizon Connect
Lytx
Netradyne
Solera Fleet Solutions

Manufacturer coverage will continue to expand as additional ELDs, cameras, vehicle gateways, trailer trackers, sensor systems, software platforms, and fleet-management technologies are added.

Related Truck Equipment Resources

Telematics and ELD systems operate as part of the complete commercial truck, trailer, electrical, safety, diagnostic, communication, and fleet-management environment.

Explore related Truck Equipment Atlas resources:

Understanding how telematics hardware, vehicle electrical systems, diagnostic networks, cameras, sensors, trailers, fleet software, and driver workflows work together is essential when evaluating connected commercial-vehicle technology.

How to Use the Telematics and ELD Systems Library

Individual Truck Equipment Atlas telematics and ELD profiles provide deeper information about specific devices, platforms, cameras, gateways, tracking systems, and product families.

Depending on the equipment, these pages may include:

Product overview
Manufacturer information
Hardware and software design
ELD and compliance functions
GPS and communications capabilities
Camera and sensor integration
Vehicle and trailer compatibility
Installation requirements
Driver and operator considerations
Inspection and maintenance information
Common problems
Buying and ownership considerations
Subscription and support considerations
Availability and replacement information

Readers can begin with one of the telematics and ELD categories above or explore individual product profiles by manufacturer.

Telematics and ELD Systems Library Expansion

The Truck Equipment Atlas Telematics and ELD Systems Library will continue to grow with additional electronic logging devices, vehicle gateways, AI dash cameras, driver displays, trailer trackers, asset monitors, cargo sensors, temperature-monitoring systems, remote-diagnostic platforms, and connected-fleet technologies.

Future development will also expand the connections between telematics systems and the trucks, trailers, electrical systems, safety technologies, manufacturers, freight sectors, and operating applications in which they are used.

The goal is to build an organized commercial telematics and ELD reference that helps drivers, owner-operators, fleets, technicians, safety personnel, dispatchers, students, equipment buyers, and industry professionals understand how these systems work and where different platforms fit within the trucking industry.

Follow the Growth of Truck Equipment Atlas

Truck Equipment Atlas continues to expand with new trucks, trailers, diesel engines, transmissions, axles, differentials, suspension systems, brakes, fifth wheels, tires, wheels, electrical systems, telematics products, manufacturer information, freight resources, and educational guides.

Visit our Site Updates page to explore recent additions, project milestones, and upcoming resources as we continue building one of the industry’s growing commercial trucking equipment reference libraries.

Explore the Latest Site Updates