Docomo, Itochu Logistics to launch IoT trial for delivery-fleet management

NTT Docomo, NTT Docomo USA, and Itochu Logistics have announced that they would trial an IoT service that uses devices compatible with low-power, wide-area LTE-M technology to enable delivery businesses to visualize the status of outsourced trucks in their fleets. The trial is scheduled for launch in the US on 1 May. The service involves placing hand-held, battery- or solar-powered devices in trucks to collect data, such as truck locations and frequency of sudden braking, which will be sent through an LTE network to a dedicated website. The service can also provide temperature, humidity, brightness etc. data depending on delivery needs, as well as notify customers via email when the trucks approach their destinations. Itochu Logistics USA expects to save time using the service, compared to the conventional method of manually phoning drivers to confirm their locations and estimated delivery times.