Category: Beacons

Using iBeacon technology for automatic mileage tracking can be a useful way for businesses to accurately track and record the distance traveled by their vehicles. Here are the steps to use beacons for automatic mileage tracking:

Install iBeacons in vehicles: iBeacons need to be installed in each vehicle to be tracked. These small devices can be easily attached to the dashboard or other areas of the vehicle where they won’t interfere with the driver’s line of sight.

Set up tracking software: Once the iBeacons are installed, businesses need to set up tracking software that can receive signals from the iBeacons and record the distance traveled. This can be done using a variety of software platforms or applications that are specifically designed for mileage tracking.

Our iOS apps as the tracking software:

Speedometer 55 PRO: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speedometer-55-pro-gps-kit/id530829008

GPS Team 55 Beta version: https://testflight.apple.com/join/4tQ9rkpT/

Calibrate the iBeacons: Before using iBeacons for mileage tracking, it’s important to calibrate them to ensure that they are accurate and reliable. This involves setting up the iBeacons at known distances and verifying that they are recording the correct distances.

All our apps provide an iBeacon testing section to help calibrate the pairing between the iBeacon and the app/iPhone:

http://hdocs.blocoware.com/en/speedometer/ibeacon/

A dedicated panel/dash in our apps allow you to monitor and troubleshoot the automatic mileage tracking function and iBeacon detection:

http://hdocs.blocoware.com/en/speedometer/auto-track-dash/

Monitor and analyze data: Once the iBeacons are installed and calibrated, businesses can start monitoring and analyzing the data to track mileage and other important metrics such as fuel efficiency, average speed, and maintenance schedules.

All our apps provide the list of recorded tracks that you can assign with categories:

And generate customizable PDF reports:

Overall, using iBeacons for automatic mileage tracking can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to improve their operational efficiency and reduce costs. By accurately tracking mileage and other key metrics, businesses can make more informed decisions about their vehicle fleets and identify opportunities for optimization and cost savings.

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It’s like we’d be developing the automatic mileage tracking function in our apps based on AI/ChatGPT requirements and expectations. Hope huumans will be satisfied as well :)!

* In the context of automatic mileage tracking and usage with our mileage tracking apps.

When to choose a USB powered iBeacon:

⨁If you have a spare USB outlet in your car and are going to use iBeacon mostly in your car, pick the USB powered iBeacon. If there is only 12V outlet, of course you can have 12V > USB adapter, with multiple USB slots. E.g. something like this from Epico with two USB ports (A + C):

⨁Having no battery is not a real drawback for the USB powered iBeacon mobility, you can plug it into any power bank to make it perfectly mobile!

⨁Having FM transmitter in the car is not an issue as well, just be sure to use the one with two USB ports, e.g.:


So you can power the iBeacon and your iPhone at the same time.

Looking at all of the above, USB powered iBeacon is the clear choice for usage in your own regular car.

One extra benefit of a USB powered iBeacon that can become important:

⨁⨁ When car is not started USB outlet is powered down and iBeacon is switched off. This avoid any false starts when you work around your car, have your car very close to your house/windows when you are at home, or pass it on your way.

After all the praise here are the cons:

⊖ You can’t use it outdoors, it is not splash/water protected.
⊖ Most often, You can’t use it as it is in special vehicles like cabriolets, bikes, golf carts, buggies, boats, etc.

When to choose a battery powered iBeacon:

⨁ I’d go for USB powered iBeacon anytime, but battery powered iBeacon is simply more versatile. You can drop it into your bikes’s gloves compartment and forget about it for 2-3 years, until battery runs out.

⨁ You can use it in special vehicles that hardly come with usb ports and might not be weather protected, as golf carts, buggies, boats. No need to think about “how/where do I plug it in”. To change the battery once in 2-3 years you simply unscrew it:

Pull the old battery out and push the new one in. It’s CR2477 3V battery.

⨁ Most often “special” vehicles and outdoor come together, IP67 – Waterproof grade of a battery iBeacon, means:

You can’t swim with your iBeacon, but you can sail or drive in heavy rain in your cabrio/golf cart with full confidence that water won’t damage your iBeacon **.

** If I sail with it, I’d probably still add a tiny rubber ring on the screw to be on the safe side. Or put it into the water proof bag.

⊖ Cons. If you work around your car, have your car very close to your house/windows when you are at home, or pass it on your way – the battery powered iBeacon may cause false tracking starts. But there are options in the apps we provide that mitigate this issue.

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Related information:

Speedometer 55 PRO – Automatic tracking for driving/automotive activities

GPS Team 55 – Automatic tracking for driving/automotive activities

Speedometer 55 PRO – Pairing iBeacon with the app

GPS Team 55 – Pairing iBeacon with the app

Ready to pick?