Wheely-Safe has launched a dedicated business to supply and integrate its wheel loss sensors with third-party telematics systems, following the successful implementation of Wheely-Safe sensors into a number of telematics companies.
As part of the strategy, Wheely-Safe’s existing business has been re-branded as Wheely-Safe Systems and will continue to offer fleets a comprehensive tyre and wheel safety solution, including both standalone and cloud-connected devices.
The newly launched Wheely-Safe Sensors aims to scale up the integration of its sensors with third party systems, which already feature on more than 30,000 vehicles.
Gary Broadfield, joint-founder of Wheely-Safe, and MD of Wheely-Safe Sensors, said: “Our primary focus from day one has been to protect as many road users as possible from the risk of wheel loss.
“By making our sensors available for integration with more third party systems, we’re opening the door to deployment on a scale we couldn’t achieve purely as a systems manufacturer.
“The fact so many telematics solutions include a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) has meant some fleets didn’t want to put two black boxes on the same vehicle.
“Now, those fleets can ask their telematics provider to add our unique wheel loss sensors into their solution – with or without our TPMS sensors.
“Integration is quick and easy, and no other Wheely-Safe hardware is required on the asset.”
Wheely-Safe uses two sets of sensors, with those for wheel loss acting as a final control measure to protect vehicle operators from the potentially catastrophic result of a wheel detaching from a vehicle in motion.
This sees sensors mounted in a bracket straddling two wheel nuts, with a pair of sensors fitted per wheel – and alerts raised at the first sign of a nut starting to loosen.
The same sensors also monitor temperatures from the area around the brakes and hub, to warn of potential fire risks at the first sign of temperatures rising, which is often due to sticking brakes or hub failure.
They also provide an extra layer of security to safeguard tyres and wheels from theft, by notifying the transport office if a wheel is being removed outside of a designated maintenance depot.
Wheely-Safe’s TPMS sensors screw onto the valve stem and can be integrated with the vehicle’s existing telematics installation where required.
These help to guard against the one third of roadside breakdowns which are due to tyre incidents, of which research shows 90% are for pressure-related issues.
Gary Thomas, joint-founder of Wheely-Safe and business development director for Wheely-Safe Sensors, explained: “Further opening access to our sensor technology is a huge step for Wheely-Safe, but one which will benefit telematics providers, fleets and wider road users.
“We’ve spent years developing and refining the product; this is an exciting opportunity to continue the journey, but on a much bigger scale.”
Research by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), published for the DfT, has estimated that there are between 150 and 400 wheel detachments in the UK a year, with around 10 to 27 resulting in injury accidents and between three and seven wheel detachments resulting in fatal accidents.
