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Staying alive: how technology can minimise the risks of distracted driving
This article was originally published on Safety Solutions and is republished here with permission.
Source: Safety Solutions – Staying alive: how technology can minimise the risks of distracted driving
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Having drivers on your team who don’t keep their full attention on the road is dangerous on multiple fronts. GEORGE HOLT, Compliance Manager at Zetifi, set out how technology may be able to help.
Twiddling with the sound system, sipping on a hot or cold drink, surreptitiously scrolling or messaging on a phone… There’s a plethora of ways drivers can have their attention taken away from the road, manually, visually and mentally.
And when that happens, the chances of a road accident or incident increase significantly. So much so that distracted driving is the main contributing factor in about 16% of serious casualty road crashes, according to the Australian Automobile Association.
In recent years, mobile phones have emerged as one of the chief causes of driver distraction, here in Australia and around the world.
Taking responsibility for workers’ behaviour on the road
If one of your employees is involved in an incident or accident while they’re on the job and driving a company vehicle, it’s not only a problem for them and the individuals they’ve endangered or injured; it’s a serious risk for your business.
Damage to company vehicles can disrupt operations and push up your insurance premiums; putting a dent in your profitability and bottom line.
Your brand and business reputation may take a hit too, if driver distraction has led to a worker causing serious harm, or worse, to other road users or pedestrians, as well as themselves.
And in today’s times, the legal responsibility for that harm may not fall on the perpetrator alone.
Your organisation could be deemed responsible, as could the individuals who lead it. There’s an onus on directors to mitigate known risks and that means those who don’t take steps to address the danger posed by distracted drivers could potentially find themselves held personally liable for any adverse outcomes that ensue.
Turning to technology to tackle driver distraction
Responsible businesses will already have policies in place to keep their employees safe. Typically, these will preclude eating, drinking, vaping and using devices while driving.
Policies should also mandate regular breaks when workers are travelling long distances. But setting strict rules is one thing; enforcing them can be quite another matter.
That’s where technology has an important role to play. It can help ensure that when workers are behind the wheel they’re not zoning out or turning their attention to text messages and social media feeds on their phone when they should be keeping their eyes on the road.
Devices today can sense worker environments, deliver precise location awareness and create intelligent connections between devices, systems and people, via connectivity, telematics and applications, including vehicle-mounted camera arrays.
The signals they detect and transmit can be swiftly and seamlessly interpreted and forwarded to key personnel responsible for instigating an immediate and appropriate response.
Smart antennas seamlessly integrated with third party applications, such as telematics, can be a game changer. There are several compelling use cases, from context aware tracking to enhance lone worker safety via the use of a smart antenna, to detecting mobile phone usage with a dash camera integrated with edge AI.
The latter can provide accurate, up-to-the-second intelligence on how employees are conducting themselves behind the wheel, along with the ability to correct aberrant behaviour immediately, via alerts, nudges and messages that remind distracted drivers to focus on the road.
Implemented across your company fleet, this technology can be an effective means of reducing the risk of an accident in the moment, and the catalyst for positive changes to your organisation’s driving and workplace culture over the longer term.
Taking smart steps to protect the public and your business
Whatever the nature of your business, ensuring your employees act in a safe and responsible manner when they’re on the job and on the road is critical.
Implementing platforms and processes that demonstrate you’re serious about doing so can help you protect the public, your organisation’s assets and its reputation and bottom line. Having access to technology that allows you to monitor and manage worker safety and on-road behaviour means you can be secure in the knowledge you’re doing all you can to mitigate the risk posed by driver distraction when your workers are behind the wheel.
If having a mobile workforce that’s an asset not a liability is important to your business, it’s an investment that makes excellent sense.
Revolutionary location-aware Smart Antennas now available
WAGGA WAGGA, AUSTRALIA – April 24th, 2024 – Wagga Wagga-based connectivity company Zetifi has launched the world’s first location-aware smart antennas, revolutionising a product segment stifled of innovation for decades.
This patent-pending invention transforms traditional passive vehicle antennas into active self-optimising devices that are set to play a big role in improving phone coverage, a high priority for people in rural areas as they prepare for the closure of the Telstra 3G network on 30 June.
Zetifi CEO, Dan Winson said, “The 3G shutdown has been on the radar for years and it’s something we need to take seriously. There are a lot of people who will need to upgrade their cellular boosters and antennas to make them work with 4G and 5G.
“From the day we started talking to regional and rural communities about connectivity, the thing we heard most often is they just want their phones to work. There are hundreds of thousands of vehicles in Australia with cellular boosters and our smart antennas provide a better experience for people using them.”
Terrain really makes a difference when it comes to antenna performance. The flat radiation pattern of a high gain antenna is ideal in open country but is less suited to hilly areas where the wider beamwidth of a low gain antenna is more effective.
With traditional antennas you have to compromise on performance or deal with the inconvenience of swapping antenna whips as you move from flat to hilly country.
Zetifi’s revolutionary smart antennas are the first vehicle antennas engineered with an integrated GPS, reconfigurable antenna element, and data processor — allowing them to adapt to the surrounding terrain by automatically switching between high and low gain modes.
An accompanying phone app that connects to the smart antenna via bluetooth is used to load terrain maps to the antennas onboard processor and also allows users to select between automatic switching or manual selection of high or low gain mode.
Designed and manufactured in Wagga, Zetifi’s Smart Antennas are available now. For more information or to purchase, visit zetifi.com/smartantennas.
For more information about Zetifi Smart Antennas, visit https://zetifi.com/smartantennas
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Robert Lansdown
Commercial Manager, Zetifi
+61 2 5973 6613 | +61 448 044 866 | rob.lansdown@zetifi.com
Zetifi sounds the alarm on old antennas and booster settings
WAGGA WAGGA, AUSTRALIA – Sep 10th, 2024 – Thousands of rural Australians that rely on phone signal boosters might once again find themselves without phone service if they don’t check their antennas and booster settings before the 3G network closure on 28 October, according to Wagga Wagga-based connectivity company Zetifi.
An estimated three hundred thousand Australians rely on signal repeater devices, or boosters as they’re commonly called, to extend and improve phone coverage while travelling on regional and remote roads.
While upgrading phone handsets has received the most attention in the leadup to the 3G shutdown, it’s important that users of boosters know that they may also need to update their booster settings to 4G, and check that their current antenna is compatible with the frequencies used by the 4G network.
Zetifi’s CEO Dan Winson explains: “Signal boosters are relied on more than almost any other device to improve phone coverage as people travel around rural Australia. They’re a vital tool for regional businesses and other rural residents to stay safe and productive by being able to make and receive calls in more places.
“Most people don’t give these devices much thought once they’ve been installed but it’s vital that people realise that the 3G shutdown has some consequences for their booster setup.”
Thankfully, all signal repeater devices that have been legally sold in Australia, manufactured by US company Nextivity and marketed as the CEL-FI and Telstra GO Repeater, are capable of boosting 4G once users change their settings to select 4G via the CEL-FI WAVE app.
Unfortunately, the same may not be true for the external antennas that provide the signal to these units. “Up until recently, it was very common for people to lock their devices to boost 3G and as a result, many of the antennas sold with these units were optimised to the frequencies of the 3G network, as boosting 4G was an afterthought,” said Dan.
“It’s difficult to estimate how many people could be impacted so our key message is that if you purchased your antenna more than a couple of years ago and you suddenly have less coverage come 29 October, don’t rush to blame the telcos and the 3G shutdown, as it might be that your antenna isn’t capable of receiving 4G.”
“Everyone with a booster should be checking their vehicle antenna specifications ahead of time and updating their booster settings and antenna if they need to.”
In April this year Zetifi unveiled a revolutionary new Cellular (4G/5G) Smart Antenna that is the world’s first powered vehicle antenna that can automatically switch between high and low gain modes. This innovative product provides a stronger signal for phone boosters and other cellular enabled devices by ensuring that antenna’s gain is always optimised for the surrounding terrain, without users having to manually change the antenna whip as they travel between flat and hilly areas.
For more information about Zetifi Smart Antennas, visit https://zetifi.com/smartantennas
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact:
Robert Lansdown
Commercial Manager, Zetifi
+61 2 5973 6613 | +61 448 044 866 | rob.lansdown@zetifi.com
New Z1 range of coverage extension devices unveiled at CES 2025
A continued partnership between Zetifi and Morse Micro, and commercialisation funding from the NSW Government Physical Sciences Fund, has led to the development of a flexible new connectivity platform for remote area communications through the integration Wi-Fi HaLow, 5G RedCap, Sleepy Wi-Fi power management, and integrated Zetifi Smart Antennas.
LAS VEGAS, NV- Jan 7th, 2025 – Zetifi has partnered with fellow Australian connectivity company Morse Micro to unveil its newest Wi-Fi HaLow-powered product platform at CES 2025. Their Z1 range of products will simplify coverage extension and enable farmers to consolidate network connections by easily extending a single internet connection to multiple vehicles or fixed infrastructure.
Zetifi’s CEO, Dan Winson, explains that the availability and rapid adoption of low earth orbit satellite options led to the realisation that a new problem had emerged in rural communications, and that the solution was right in the sweet spot for Zetifi and Morse Micro.
“The emergence of low earth orbit satellite networks like Starlink has been a true game-changer, but it has already become a large monthly expense for many regional businesses.
“Even a medium size farming operation could have more than 10 pieces of machinery or sites that all need reliable internet connectivity to run their business effectively.
“As a regionally based company, we quickly learnt from our customers that they were wanting options that allowed them more flexibility and control over these mounting service costs.”
Zetifi’s approach to coverage extension is two-fold; their products allow a single internet connection to be distributed to other vehicles or sites as a Wi-Fi HaLow mesh network, and they extend cellular coverage using powerful integrated antennas that allow cellular or direct-to-handset satellite connectivity when outside of the mesh network footprint.
Morse Micro’s Wi-Fi HaLow, a new long-range Wi-Fi protocol that operates at 900MHz that offers greater range and penetration through obstacles compared to standard Wi-Fi, is a critical part of the equation.
“We set ourselves the goal of making it as easy as possible to achieve the same level of reliability and coverage for these types of operations with only two or three paid network connections. This can represent a saving of over $1,000/month so investing in affordable priced hardware to get more coverage from a service is a compelling value proposition when compared with adding more subscriptions every year,” said Dan.
Zetifi has shifted its focus from its previous X generation products (ZetiRover X and ZetiCell X) to the Z1 platform. While the X series prioritized cellular connectivity, the Z1 range integrates Wi-Fi HaLow, 5G RedCap, Wi-Fi 6, and Zetifi’s patent-pending smart antenna technology to deliver a versatile, low-cost, and easy-to-install connectivity platform.
“The possibilities opened by Starlink’s solutions made it clear we needed to re-evaluate our role in connecting farms.
“Farmers love the idea of having Starlink on their house, and lots of them will use Starlink Mini for their main tractor, but investing in affordable hardware for better coverage is far more practical for farmers than endlessly adding more subscriptions. Discontinuing the development of the ZetiRover X and ZetiCell X to make the most of this opportunity is the right decision,” said Dan.
“The new Z1 platform complements our range of Smart Antennas and aligns with the future direction of LEO satellite and direct-to-handset technologies.”
The Z1 platform will include compact solutions for vehicles and machinery, comparable in size to existing UHF or LTE antennas, as well as larger integrated options for buildings and in-field coverage. Zetifi plans to price the Z1 products at roughly half the cost of the X series.
Zetifi’s prototype ZetiRoam Z1 mesh repeater and ZetiCell Z1 are on display this week in Las Vegas at Tech West at The Venetian, Level 3, Lido 3001 as part of Morse Micro’s presence at CES 2025.
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Media contacts
Robert Lansdown, Commercial Manager, Zetifi | +61 448 044 866 | rob.lansdown@zetifi.com
Maggie Redford-Hill, Head of Communications, Morse Micro | maggie.gaston@morsemicro.com
Zetifi is an Australian wireless innovator dedicated to connecting remote and rural industries from agriculture and mining to emergency services. More than $10m of Australian Commonwealth and NSW Government funding and a $12M Series A led by Telstra and GrainCorp is supporting Zetifi’s mission to deliver cost-effective, long-range broadband solutions anywhere they’re needed.
Morse Micro develops Wi-Fi HaLow technology, enabling long-range, ultra-low-power networking for industrial IoT, logistics, and agriculture. Visit Morse Micro’s private suite near the Tech West CES floor at the Venetian Hotel. Learn how the ZetiRover and ZetiCell and Wi-Fi HaLow can modernize farming operations for a more productive and sustainable future.
Two-in-One UHF & Cellular Combo antenna innovation changes the game for off-roaders and farmers
WAGGA WAGGA, NSW – Feb 12th, 2025 – Wagga Wagga-based connectivity pioneer Zetifi is set to release the first combination UHF and Cellular (4G/5G) Smart Antenna for vehicle bull bars, enabling consumers to run a single antenna for both their UHF CB radio and cellular devices.
Last year, Zetifi unveiled powered location-aware Smart Antennas that use an integrated GPS and miniaturised processor inside the antenna to optimise their radiation pattern between high and low gain based on location, delivering superior cellular coverage. This new product builds on that innovation by using the same rigorously tested physical design and integrated electronics platform with new antenna elements to make a significant impact in the UHF market.
A MAJOR TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ANTENNA DESIGN
As Zetifi CEO Dan Winson explains, this product is another major technical achievement for the company and is expected to be well-received by off-roaders and workers in the agriculture, mining and essential services sectors.
Traditional wisdom in antenna design was that combining UHF and cellular antennas in a single unit was not feasible. However, as Winson points out, this challenge is precisely the kind of problem Zetifi relishes.
“Combining UHF and cellular elements in a same antenna is a significant challenge, but as we’ve shown, it’s not insurmountable. I tasked our engineers with pushing the boundaries of what we could achieve,” says Winson.
He continues, “Through countless iterations of antenna elements which we first evaluated in lab simulations at our Melbourne office before bringing them to test on the roads around our Wagga headquarters, we’ve proven it can be done.”
“We’ve achieved equivalent range to the commonly used UHF CB antennas, about 12-14 kilometres between UHF devices and possibly more in optimal conditions, plus excellent performance on 4G and 5G frequencies for cellular devices,” said Dan.
The key to their success lies in a novel approach: vertically stacking the UHF and cellular elements with a small gap between them.
“It’s well known that UHF and cellular signals can interfere with each other when placed too close. But, due to the shape of the radiation pattern they produce, we’ve managed to achieve the necessary isolation by vertically stacking the two elements within the antenna,” Winson explains.
UHF STILL A CRITICAL TOOL FOR REMOTE AREA COMMUNICATIONS
Winson also highlights that, while satellite options for remote connectivity have recently garnered more attention, UHF remains an essential communication tool for many industries and consumers in Australia.
“UHF is often underappreciated. While new satellite options are fantastic, particularly for high-speed data access, you won’t find truck drivers or serious off-roaders abandoning their UHF radios. UHF is the one trusted method they rely on to communicate with surrounding vehicles, which is crucial when navigating dusty outback roads or rugged 4WD tracks,” Winson says.
This innovative two-in-one antenna offers these UHF devotees the best of both worlds: reliable UHF communication and enhanced cellular coverage. By pairing the antenna with an in-car signal repeater, users can also stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues that are further afield—all from a single antenna.
WORLD-FIRST INNOVATION DEVELOPED AND MANUFACTURED IN WAGGA WAGGA
Something else that distinguishes Zetifi from many other antenna manufacturers and technology companies is their regional base and manufacturing in Wagga Wagga. It’s something they’re keen to highlight as a key element to their success.
“Our products are all developed, tested, and manufactured in a regional centre, which is a big advantage as it gives us easy access to our key customers and locations where our products are needed.”
“Within ten minutes of our office, there are areas of poor cellular coverage or different terrain to test the product. Plus, there are also plenty of willing locals working in jobs that have them driving through poor coverage areas around the Riverina that are always keen to test our prototypes during development,” Winson adds.
Zetifi’s new UHF & Cellular Combo Smart Antennas will be available in black and matte black versions from Zetifi and dealers around the country for $589 incl GST from Monday 17 February.
For more information about Zetifi Combo Smart Antennas, visit https://zetifi.com/comboantennas
ENDS
Media contacts
Robert Lansdown, Commercial Manager, Zetifi | +61 448 044 866 | rob.lansdown@zetifi.com
Zetifi is an Australian wireless innovator dedicated to connecting remote and rural industries-from agriculture and mining to emergency services. More than $10m of Australian Commonwealth and NSW Government funding and a $12M Series A led by Telstra and GrainCorp is supporting Zetifi’s mission to deliver cost-effective, long-range broadband solutions anywhere they’re needed.