CalAmp Vision is a video-telematics solution that includes a camera device (with one lens facing the road and the other facing the driver) in your vehicles that will return video files to CalAmp you can view within the software. On the Tracking screen, you open the associated asset’s Asset Details pane and expand its Vision panel to see the vehicle’s last recorded video events. (See Viewing a CalAmp Vision Video Capture for details.)


One feature of Vision is that the camera will report to CalAmp instead of an LMU (location messaging unit). In fact, if you want just basic Tracking capabilities and the Vision alerts, you won’t need an LMU at all. If, though, you want expanded software abilities (such as the full range of notifications CalAmp can provide, all the events that can be reported, and any add-on module such as CrashBoxx), you will need both an LMU and the camera.


Both can now be assigned to a single asset as devices.


What Is Required in Order to Set Up the Vision Device?


When your organization purchases CalAmp Vision, each camera will be added to the CalAmp software as a device, which you will be able to view on the Admin - Devices screen (if you have admin rights).


If CalAmp performs the installation (as determined by your contract), a CalAmp representative will also make the asset/device association in the application, but if you do the install, you must go into each asset’s Add/Edit Asset dialog box (see Adding an Asset/Editing an Asset for details) and assign the camera as one of its devices.


What Notifications Are Available for the Camera?


CalAmp has added notifications for customers that have just the Vision camera (and not an LMU). These are the alerts you are able to configure:

Warning: These are NOT sent by default! You must set up an alert in the CalAmp software if you want to receive notices about the following conditions. See Adding a CalAmp Vision Notification for details.

  • Panic Button: The alert will be triggered if the driver presses the physical panic button on the camera and holds for at least two seconds. This is generally used for emergency situations.
     
  • Harsh Acceleration: The alert will be triggered if the driver accelerates too quickly (with a value of 4.5 mph/sec).
     
  • Harsh Braking: The notification will be sent if the driver brakes too hard at once (with a value of 4.5 mph/sec).
     
  • Harsh Cornering: The notification will be sent if the driver corners too severely (with a value of 4.5 mph/sec).
     
  • Speed Limit Violation: The alert will be sent if the driver drives more than 5 mph over the speed limit.
     
  • Tailgating: The alert will be triggered if the driver follows the vehicle in front of them too closely.
     
  • Forward Collision Warning: CalAmp will send the notification if the front of the vehicle has been hit.
     
  • Maximum Speed: The notification will be sent if the vehicle’s speed exceeds 75 mph.
     
  • Distracted Driving: The alert will be sent if the camera determines that the driver isn’t focused on the road.
     
  • Drowsy Driving: The alert will be triggered if the camera detects that the driver’s head is dropping or their eyes are closing.
     
  • Cell Phone Distraction: The notification will be sent if the driver blocks their face with their cell phone.


All of these alerts will have corresponding video captures. For example, the Speed Limit Violation notification will include a shot of the posted speed limit sign.


What Are the Audio Alerts?


The Vision camera will audibly alert the driver of certain conditions (such as the fact that a new trip has begun or ended) or that they have committed an infraction (such as tailgating), as follows:

Caution: These alerts are different from the notifications discussed in the preceding section that have to be configured in CalAmp to be sent to certain users. These are statements that the camera will actually SAY to the driver — and they cannot be turned off.

  • A new driver ID (applicable only if your organization is having drivers connect to the camera via the Installer app)
     
  •  The start of the trip
     
  •  The end of the trip 
     
  •  The camera shutting down 
     
  •  Tailgating
     
  •  Exceeding the speed limit of a school zone
     
  •  Exceeding the speed limit by 5 mph
     
  •  Speeding in excess of 75 mph
     
  •  Driving while distracted
     
  •  Drowsy driving
     
  •  Using their cell phone while driving


The camera statements are simple, such as “Speeding violation detected,” “School zone detected,” “Speed upper limit reached,” and “Shutting down.”