Called VINIE, the product is an Internet of Things (IOT)-enabled solution that can help fleet operators to track a range of data.
Developed with technological assistance from CENSIS, the Scottish Innovation Centre for Sensor and Imaging Systems, VINIE uses Bluetooth to automatically check vehicle ID, meaning buses, vans, cars, and trucks can be refuelled quickly and securely.
Combined with FUELlink’s fuel management system, the product can accurately check odometer readings and use this data to calculate miles driven per gallon, which can be used to detect fuel tank leaks or to monitor efficiency. VINIE can also include the vehicle’s fuel tank level at the point of fuelling.
John Ashley, director at Lanarkshire-based FUELlink Systems, says there are “endless” opportunities for the new product, adding: “For now, we’re focusing on the bus operator, haulage, and local authority markets, which all operate large fleets of vehicles – any time that can be saved in refuelling can translate into significant savings.
“But, there’s a lot more to it than that. VINIE also offers security benefits by checking vehicle ID – theft of fuel is still a fairly common occurrence for organisations with on-site pumps.”
FUELlink’s customers include local authorities, bus operators Lothian Buses, First Bus, Nottingham City Transport, and hauliers WH Malcolm and Gist (UK). The company has also signed up a new distributor in Ireland, Permark Pumps, which is installing FUELlink’s fuel management systems on a major new contract and hopes to install VINIE across the country.
FUELlink received mentoring at CENSIS’s IOT centre, in Glasgow, early last year after winning a competitition.
Mark Begbie, business development director at CENSIS, says: “FUELlink’s use of the IoT demonstrates just how transformative it can be for businesses of all sizes – VINIE has huge potential in a number of sectors and could help the company get to the next level.”