New Driver Identification Solution Utilizes Personalized QR Codes

Lytx, provider of video telematics, analytics, safety, and productivity solutions for commercial, public sector, and field services fleets, has introduced a new driver identification solution.

Called the Lytx Badge Driver ID, the solution enables a fleet manager to easily identify which driver is operating which company vehicle at any time. Fleet managers can generate individual QR codes on their Lytx account that can be adhered to each driver’s ID card or accessed digitally on mobile devices. The feature is available with Lytx’s SF300 DriveCam Event Recorders. 

“The feature is designed to replace clunky solutions like key fobs and RFID tags, which are easy to lose and require extra equipment to maintain and install, or other old-school driver ID accessories,” says Jim Brady, vice president of product management for Lytx based in San Diego. “With this new technology, drivers only need their personal QR code, either printed on a badge or accessed on their mobile device, to scan in their credentials to sign into a vehicle.”

Brady went into detail with Waste360 to discuss the new Badge Driver ID from Lytx and what impact it will have on the waste and recycling industry.

Waste360: What is the technology behind the Lytx Badge Driver ID?

Jim Brady: In an effort to reduce the management of additional technologies and streamline processes, Lytx Badge uses the DriveCam SF200 or SF300 Event Recorder already installed in a vehicle to identify a driver. 

Fleet administrators generate individual QR codes for each driver through their Lytx Account, which are adhered to a physical ID card or accessed digitally on a cell phone or other mobile device. Once a driver or technician turns on their vehicle, the DriveCam turns on automatically. 

From there, the driver scans their unique QR code; machine vision built into the Lytx event recorders registers this code and provides an audible “beep” cue to let the driver know the code has been accepted. Now the driver is associated with the vehicle and the activity in that vehicle will be attributed to him. 

Waste360: What are the benefits of the badge?

Jim Brady: With the Lytx Badge, fleet managers are able to more accurately and reliably identify which driver is operating which vehicle at a given time. First of all, this provides fleet managers with visibility into both worker and vehicle data to improve operations, from driving hours for each day, week or month, how long the vehicle is in motion during a shift, how much idle time is occurring, and so on. 

In addition to supporting effective driver-vehicle assignments and fleet management, the technology also streamlines the process for driver safety and coaching processes. Events captured Lytx DriveCam Event Recorder are automatically assigned to the driver in that vehicle, saving time and ensuring accuracy in understanding and coaching driver behavior. 

Finally, we have heard from fleets that this check-in process helps remind drivers they are responsible for the vehicle and anything that happens to it during their assigned shift, increasing a sense of accountability and supporting safer and more efficient behaviors. 

Waste360: How does it work within the DriveCam SF300 device?

Jim Brady: The DriveCam SF300 is the latest event recorder from Lytx and has machine vision and artificial intelligence technology built into it. These capabilities equip the hardware to uniquely detect and capture distracted driving behaviors, the biggest safety issue on our roads today.

This same machine vision powers the new Lytx Badge, making it simple and accurate for drivers to check into a vehicle with a simple scan of their unique QR code. The feature is available to clients on SF300 devices at no additional charge.

Waste360: How does it work with the Lytx Driver Safety, Risk Detection and Fleet Tracking modules?

Jim Brady: Using a combination of G-force detection, machine vision and artificial intelligence, DriveCam is able to capture data that is then run through extensive review and analysis. The various Lytx platforms (Driver Safety Program, Risk Detection and Fleet Tracking) all utilize data collected by the DriveCam event recorders within fleet vehicles to provide fleet- and driver-specific insights that can be used to increase efficiency, improve safety and protect the company’s bottom line. 

The Lytx Badge provides a simple and accurate way to manage driver-vehicle relationship; as part of that, events captured by the Lytx DriveCam are automatically assigned to the appropriate driver before being delivered to the fleet manager’s Lytx dashboard. 

Whichever Lytx modules a fleet is using -- Driver Safety, Risk Detection or Fleet Tracking modules -- the Lytx Badge saves valuable time by eliminating the need for managers or coaches to manually assign events. This time can be redirected to decreasing risk, improving safe driving, and increasing fleet efficiency. 

Waste360: What impact does it have on the waste and recycling industry?

Jim Brady: For any fleet with drivers that get into different vehicles each day, or in which a single vehicle may have multiple drivers, the Lytx Badge will be a game-changer. Compared to long-haul trucking, where an employee is driving the same truck every day, waste and recycling is a perfect example of an industry in which drivers are switching vehicles often. 

With that in mind, the Lytx Badge will be essential to helping fleets in the waste and recycling industries manage driver-vehicle assignments and more accurately see and understand opportunities for growth and improvement in safety and efficiency across their businesses.