Geotab GO9 keeps fleets secure and fuel-efficient
Vehicle trackers have been around for decades and are particularly useful for commercial-vehicle fleets.
Think about it – a commercial vehicle like a cargo van or a truck is already an expensive investment by itself, with this price compounded by the goods that these carry day after day. Keeping tabs on something with a combined value that could reach into the millions is only good sense, more so if you have several of these vehicles driving through our country’s mean streets.
But business owners are now facing a new threat in the form of skyrocketing fuel prices. With diesel hitting P100 a liter in some fuel stations as of press time, many are finding ways to reduce the cost of keeping their fleets running.
Canadian technology company Geotab, which will exhibit in collaboration with DAF Trucks at the 2026 Philippine International Truck on Oct. 22 to 24 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, thinks it has a solution that hits two birds with one stone. Its GO9 GPS tracking device doesn’t just tell you where your vehicle is, but also collects data on that particular vehicle’s fuel usage.
Over 20 years in operation
Founded in 2000, Geotab specializes in fleet-management solutions and telematics.
The company commands considerable business in North America, holding the largest telematics contract by the U.S. General Services Administration that involves over 200,000 government vehcles. Geotab also has a sole-source contract to equip over 21,000 general-purpose vehicles of the U.S. Air Force.
The firm said in its brochure that over 2,000 government agencies and departments at all levels trust Geotab to capture, measure and analyze crucial fleet data “with unparalleled depth and precision.”
The Geotab GO9
The GO9 is among Geotab’s latest innovations – it plugs directly into a vehicle’s OBD-II port, thus allowing it to get data on what exactly the vehicle is doing at any given moment.
Its flame-retardant ABS plastic casing means it can still be used after a collision to gather data, while the end-to-end cybersecurity includes authentication, encryption, message-integrity verification, unique ID and non-static security keys and over-the-air updates with digitally signed firmware.
In addition, the GO9 has a built-in, auto-calibrating accelerometer and gyroscope that measure harsh vehicle movements like hard braking and acceleration. You can even use it to prompt the driver to drive better with a buzzer or Geotab GO TALK for in-vehicle verbal coaching.
The device likewise comes with collision detection and notification that not only provide a detailed summary of events, but also automatically upload detailed data from the GO9 to allow for forensic reconstruction of the crash.
Saving fuel
But where the Geotab GO9 sets itself apart is its fleet fuel-management system.
Because the tracker is plugged into the OBD-II port, it has direct access to the vehicle’s various systems. It can therefore monitor fuel consumption, amount of time idling, fuel level and even engine faults.
Geotab said fleet owners and managers can access online reports to monitor how fuel is being used, as well as track total distance travelled using vehicle odometer readings. This data can then be used to help drivers develop fuel-saving habits, along with helping get rid of dangerous driving.
With fuel prices continuing to stay elevated (and with no relief in sight), technology like the Geotab GO9 not only helps fleets stay secure, but can also help lower fuel costs.
