The Awareness Company is a leader in data capture and AI solutions, enabling businesses to achieve sustainability by solving key data challenges. Their HYDRA platform aggregates real-time, high-quality data with AI-driven insights to provide situational awareness and operational efficiency. 

To enhance their security offerings, The Awareness Company required reliable and flexible tracking solutions for large sites, supporting vehicle and drone patrols. Their focus was on real-time data accuracy, ease of installation, and durability in diverse and harsh environments to ensure seamless asset monitoring and situational awareness. 

Wired and Battery-Powered Solutions for Comprehensive Vehicle and Drone Monitoring 

To meet their client’s unique security needs, The Awareness Company utilized a range of Digital Matter devices, each adapted for specific use cases: 

• Dart3 for Vehicle Tracking: The Dart3 was chosen to monitor vehicles patrolling large sites due to its cost-effectiveness, real-time high-resolution tracking, and ease of installation. It provided critical driver behavior analytics, allowing for automated tracking and improved safety protocols. The device’s battery backup feature ensures continuous operation, even when external power is lost—a crucial aspect for uninterrupted security monitoring. 

• Yabby3 for Drone Tracking: Given the need for lightweight, unobtrusive tracking on drones, the Yabby3 was the optimal choice. Its compact design and easy activation made it suitable for drones without affecting performance. In recovery mode, the Yabby3 delivers high-definition movement data, crucial for tracking drone operations. The device’s plug-and-play functionality and reliability have made it a key component of their drone security solutions. 

These devices play a critical role in real-time situational awareness for The Awareness Company’s security operations, enabling prompt response, secure perimeters, and enhanced overall operational efficiency. Each has been rigorously tested and proven effective in varied and demanding security environments. 

Flexible Hardware and Firmware Configurations for Asset-Specific Tracking 

To overcome unique challenges in deployment, The Awareness Company adapted Digital Matter tracking devices to better align with specific operational needs: 

• Battery Adaptations for Yabby3: To enhance sustainability and reduce the need for frequent battery replacements, the Yabby3 devices were modified to use rechargeable lithium and lithium-polymer batteries, improving efficiency and making them better suited for long-term use in field operations. 

• Customized Dart3 Installations: Given the variety of vehicles used in security operations, The Awareness Company developed tailored installation methods for the Dart tracker. For older vehicles lacking OBD ports, a wire harness installation was employed. For vehicles with OBD compatibility, the device was simply plugged in, while cigarette lighter installations provided a non-permanent solution for leased or non-company vehicles. In some cases, the devices were concealed to maintain operational discretion, offering a balance of visibility and security. 

This flexibility in adapting the devices ensured that the most specific operational requirements could be met, optimizing performance in diverse environments. 

By integrating Digital Matter devices into their solutions, The Awareness Company has been able to achieve significant outcomes for their clients: 

• Faster Drone Retrieval: Quicker recovery of lost drones, aided by automated compliance reporting that streamlined processes and saved operator time

• Accurate Timesheet Automation: Automated timesheets for vehicles allowed precise monitoring of security personnel and optimized on-site scheduling. Combining device data with geofences enabled triggers and alerts for enhanced safety

• Significant Crime Reduction: At a large power plant, the devices contributed to an 88.5% reduction in crime, saving R100 million a month through improved security operations and reduced fuel theft

• Enhanced Driver Behavior: Tracking data improved driver practices, promoting safer and more efficient operations

• Improved Customer Value for Security Companies: Real-time insights allowed security companies to provide greater value to their clients, enhancing customer retention and enabling expansion of service offerings

The data collected is integrated into HYDRA, which uses AI to transform raw information into actionable insights. Unlike basic reporting tools, HYDRA offers an interactive, user-friendly experience, empowering users of all technical levels to make informed decisions and respond quickly to emerging situations.

“For us, the more data we get, the better HYDRA becomes. The reliability and flexibility of Digital Matter devices allow us to gather more data without downtime, which is an immense value add for our customers (which isn’t always the case with IoT solutions). The flexible setup and configurable firmware enable us to tailor the devices to specific use cases, delivering precise and reliable insights to our clients.” — The Awareness Company Team 

The collaborative approach between The Awareness Company and Digital Matter has facilitated the adaptation of tracking devices to new use cases and the integration of additional sensors. This cooperation has contributed to the successful implementation of their projects, supported by high-quality devices and a reliable OEM server to meet their data requirements effectively.