RELIABLE GPS TRACKING FOR URBAN MOBILITY

INTRO

As urban landscapes evolve, so too do the challenges of maintaining reliable and accurate GPS tracking. The increasing density of tall buildings, or 'urban canyons', significantly disrupts satellite signals, making exact location tracking more difficult. This is particularly relevant for industries such as e-bike rental, where operational efficiency and customer satisfaction depend on uninterrupted GPS accuracy.

CHALLENGE

Tracking interference in urban areas is becoming more common. While GPS trackers are generally accurate, signal interference from skyscrapers is a growing concern. In 2023, the number of buildings 200 metres or taller increased by 16% compared to 2022, with the average height of completed buildings rising to 243.1 metres - a 3% increase from 2022. This trend suggests that tracking challenges are likely to increase as urban environments become more complex.

For businesses that rely on GPS tracking data, such as transport-sharing services and e-bike rentals, signal interference can prevent vehicles from appearing on maps, resulting in missed trips and lost revenue. As location-based services continue to expand - particularly with the global e-bike market projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2025 to 2029 - ensuring uninterrupted and accurate GPS tracking is more important than ever. Fortunately, Teltonika has just the right solution to meet this challenge.

SOLUTION

To ensure accurate and reliable GPS tracking in dense urban areas, we chose Teltonika FTC921 model - the latest generation tracker built on the FT platform. The device is capable of providing an effective solution for e-mobility and fleet monitoring. Designed to overcome the challenges of urban canyons, it ensures accurate positioning even in environments where satellite signals are often obstructed.

How it works - FTC921 has several unique features, including a high-voltage power supply of 10-90 V, which enables seamless integration with e-motorcycles, e-mopeds, e-rickshaws, and other types of electric vehicles. The tracker is also equipped with commonly used interfaces, including a Digital Output (DOUT), which is useful in scenarios where remote vehicle control is required, such as e-bike sharing services. The DOUT can be connected via a relay to block the vehicle's accelerator, disable a start button, or manage the power supply to a vehicle's engine. Such control can be achieved using GPRS commands.

Most importantly, companies can track means of transport in real time with high accuracy, even in dense urban environments surrounded by skyscrapers, thanks to a more accurate GNSS module that can connect to up to 41 visible satellites simultaneously. As a result, fleet operators and managers can rely on continuous location updates to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

For e-mobility applications, power efficiency is as important as accuracy. Rental fleets often have long standstill periods, during which traditional tracking devices can drain vehicle batteries. FTC921 is equipped with optimised sleep modes - Deep Sleep, Online Sleep, and Power Off Sleep - allowing it to save power and operate efficiently for extended periods. This ensures uninterrupted tracking without unnecessary power consumption, making it an ideal choice for electric transportation.

Beyond ensuring accurate tracking and power efficiency, FTC921 includes advanced features that increase security and operational efficiency. The Auto Geofence scenario allows automatic notifications when e-bikes enter or leave pre-defined areas, enabling rental companies to monitor and manage their fleets more effectively. It ensures that assets are used within designated zones, reducing the risk of theft and misuse.

The Over Speeding detection helps promote safer driving habits, while the Jamming detection scenario identifies attempts by criminals to disrupt and inhibit the performance of a tracking device. Early recognition of such threats helps prevent theft incidents and ensures that fleet operators can take action to maintain security. These features add an extra layer of control, security, and efficiency to e-mobility fleet operations.

Moreover, this tracking device simplifies both setup and ongoing management of the entire fleet. Using a Teltonika tool such as FOTA WEB, telematics service providers can remotely automate firmware updates for each FTC921 installed in the fleet, ensuring that all of them are kept up to date with the latest firmware updates, security patches, further improvements, etc.

Telematics Configuration Tool (TCT) streamlines GPS tracker configuration, allowing fleet managers to quickly and easily adjust settings via an intuitive user interface designed for FT platform devices. Altogether, this eliminates the need for manual intervention, minimising downtime, and operational disruption, resulting in greater business efficiency.

To sum up, Teltonika FTC921 is designed to be installed in a few steps and provides reliable, high-accuracy tracking. It's the right choice for businesses looking for a straightforward, effective monitoring solution in challenging environments, ensuring smooth operations, peace of mind, and happier customers.

TOPOLOGY

BENEFITS

• Accurate tracking – by connecting to up to 41 visible satellites, FTC921 model ensures accurate vehicle positioning, even in urban environments with high-rise buildings.
• Improved operational efficiency – Teltonika GPS device ensures real-time tracking of the e-mobility fleet, helping to optimise its use, noticeably reduce delays and improve customer satisfaction.
• Power savings – optimised sleep modes reduce power consumption during standstill periods, helping to extend the life of the vehicle's battery.
• Easy and fast integration – TCT and FOTA WEB software solutions simplify fleet management and save time on setup and updates.

SUCCESS STORY

A newly established telematics service company in one of the Middle East countries, which manages a fleet of around 50,000 e-bikes, faced two key challenges at the start of its operations and project: monitoring rented e-bikes in restricted bike lanes and finding a compact GPS tracker that supports a 45 V input voltage and could fit into a tiny compartment of two-wheelers.

After careful evaluation of the many products available on the IoT market, the company chose Teltonika FTC921 tracking device. Its slim design fit perfectly into the front compartment of the e-bike, and its 4G LTE Cat 1 connectivity with 45 V support made it an ideal match for their needs. As a result, they saw immediate results upon installation and project completion, with the solution helping the mobility company to easily track their e-bikes, ensure smooth operations, and improve overall fleet efficiency.

WHY TELTONIKA?

Urban mobility businesses need more than just a GPS tracker - they need a solution that can adapt to the ever-changing landscape. Teltonika FTC921 is built for precision, offering industry-leading connectivity to ensure accurate vehicle positioning even in dense city canyons. With real-time tracking and power-saving sleep modes, it increases operational efficiency while minimising vehicle downtime and battery drain.

Our unique FT platform integrates seamlessly with fleet management systems, enabling effortless remote firmware updates via FOTA WEB and swift configuration setup via TCT. Teltonika is at the forefront of the telematics industry, equipping businesses with the modern tools they need to scale operations, maximise profitability and confidently maintain seamless urban mobility services.