Español 
Français 
Deutsch 
Nederlands 
Suomi 
Türkçe 
Sign inResearch & Development
Learn more about the work that goes into our ground-breaking technology
Non-stop technical innovation
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do here at Lightfoot, and we’re continuously working to develop and improve our fleet management solutions for the benefit of all our customers. Our entire product portfolio is designed and engineered in-house, allowing us to remain at the frontline of vehicle telematics and constantly invest in new and future technologies.
Our cutting-edge R&D at a glance:
Technology created in partnership with the University of Bath
Risk management data endorsed by all major fleet insurers via independent research
All hardware designed, assembled, and tested within the UK
Full end-to-end ownership of all software and hardware
Demonstrable improvements in CO2 and NOx emissions, MPG, and electric vehicle range
Work with us
The science behind Lightfoot
Engineering
Unlike many other telematics companies, Lightfoot hails from a background in automotive engineering. With extensive knowledge of petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles, our expert team has invaluable insight into the mechanics of commercial cars and vans, from the engine to the drivetrain. This has allowed us to build a truly unique solution for fleets that combines live engine data with a complex algorithm designed with academics and mechanical engineers from the University of Bath and Lightfoot’s own Dr. John Poxon, giving the Lightfoot device unrivalled accuracy in understanding how each connected vehicle is being handled.
Meanwhile, our software engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining the Lightfoot platform, from the backend system through to the interactive fleet management portal and our one-of-a-kind driver app. Led by Dr. Calum Roke, they’re consistently innovating our systems with new features, tools, and applications to deliver the best possible solution for our customers and meet the ever-changing needs of the fleet industry.
By creating and progressing our own hardware and software solutions, we are able to offer a true end-to-end system capable of delivering far greater value than any off-the-shelf solution. Our team has full control over the parts we use, the features we offer, and the quality we provide to our clients, ensuring we continue to supply fleets with a secure fleet management system with truly unique functionality.
“Reducing NOx and oxides of nitrogen is the number one challenge in addressing urban air quality. If you can reduce the power that an engine operates at, you reduce the amount of NOx produced. By modifying driver behaviour, Lightfoot is one of the only ways to simultaneously improve fuel efficiency and cut NOx.”
Chris Brace,
Professor of Automotive Propulsion and Director of IAAPS
Behavioural data science
Working with leading psychologists and behavioural scientists from the University of Bath and across the Lightfoot team, we have been able to develop our revolutionary driver scoring system. This has been informed by our ongoing research into driver behaviour and how best to influence it for maximum impact. Our patented algorithm works in tandem with the live engine data to understand how the vehicle is being driven and scores the driver across several key areas, including the smoothness of manoeuvres such as acceleration, braking, and cornering; the vehicle speed; and the timeliness of gear shifts, amongst other factors. This leads to a holistic overview of individual driving style alongside a simple score that can be understood at every level.
What differentiates the Lightfoot system further is the driver engagement aspect. Our devices combine nudge psychology – as you would find in a vehicle’s seatbelt warning system, for example – with a gamification aspect not dissimilar to that popularised by devices such as the Fitbit. The in-cab feedback is delivered through a series of audible and visual prompts, and drivers are incentivised to follow the guidance through exclusive weekly competitions, competitive leagues, and discounts via the app.
Our data science team then process the behavioural and algorithmic data collected through our devices to produce meaningful insights that help our customers and industry partners better understand road risk, fuel and energy consumption, and the environmental impact of vehicles. Further studies with the University of Bath’s Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) on this topic have shown that Lightfoot leads to a fivefold reduction in NOx particulates.
Collaborative innovation: our academic partnership with University of Bath
The Lightfoot trial
Lightfoot was born from a place of understanding that driver behaviour is the key to unlocking better fleet performance. You can modify a vehicle to all the latest specifications, but if it is not handled in an economical way, the promised savings will never be realised. Whilst longstanding methods of improving driver behaviour – such as driver training courses or disciplinary action – can have some positive effect in this area, numerous studies have shown that any changes are typically short-lived. Lightfoot was therefore proposed as an on-board driving assistance system that would deliver sustained results by issuing constant driver feedback.
Our prototype was developed and tried in the field with commercial vehicle drivers. This initial trial consisted of 2 weeks of baseline data collection which the drivers were not aware of, followed by 2 weeks of data collection where the system was active. Of course, the results were unanimous and the first generation of Lightfoot devices were soon put into production.
Today, we use this same scientific methodology to demonstrate the potential benefits of our technology to prospective customers. Over the years we’ve refined and reimagined the Lightfoot trial to ensure we cover every base and deliver the clearest insights into ROI for any fleet considering partnering with us, but at its core, our trial still relies on data-backed field testing, just as it did at its inception. This unique approach allows us to provide tangible, real-world results for fleets and also helps us to keep innovating and enhancing our products.
Try our innovative technology for yourself
See the science in action and discover what Lightfoot’s fleet telematics technology could do for your business.
Request a demo
