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Nauto

Nauto provides AI-enabled fleet safety solutions, offering predictive collision alerts, driver behaviour monitoring, and real-time coaching tools.

US United States

Country

Nauto
Leadership team

Stefan Heck (Founder & CEO)

Yoav Banin (President)

Products/ Services
Predictive Collision Alerts Driver Behaviour Alerts Self-Guided Coaching Manager-Led Coaching Incident Reporting On-Demand Video
Number of Employees
100 - 500
Headquarters
California, United States
Established
2015
Revenue
20M - 100M
Revenue Year
2024-08-24
Social Media
Overview
Location
Summary

Nauto is an AI-powered fleet and driver safety platform designed to reduce high-risk driving events, prevent collisions, and improve fleet operations. Founded in 2015, the company provides AI-enabled devices that monitor, analyse, and predict driver behaviour in real-time. These devices, equipped with dual-facing cameras, are placed inside vehicles to detect hazards on the road and monitor driver distractions, such as drowsiness and phone use. Nauto’s AI software provides predictive collision alerts and driver coaching, both self-guided and manager-led, helping fleets improve safety while protecting driver privacy.

Nauto’s platform helps fleets address growing risks such as distracted driving, which is a leading cause of vehicle crashes. It offers solutions for collision avoidance, incident reporting, and claims management, using AI to process data and provide actionable insights to fleet managers. Nauto has enabled commercial fleets globally to avoid over 70,000 collisions, saving approximately $300 million in associated costs.

The platform integrates telematics alongside its safety features, allowing for vehicle tracking, utilisation, misuse prevention, and maintenance planning. Nauto’s technology offers rapid return on investment, reducing operational costs, insurance premiums, and driver turnover. Its solutions are used by nearly 1,000 fleets worldwide, reducing collisions by up to 80%.

In addition to its safety benefits, Nauto protects driver privacy by uploading only critical data, such as high-risk events, to the cloud. The company continues to expand its operations across North America, Europe, and Latin America, contributing to safer driving by offering AI-enabled coaching and real-time alerts that help drivers avoid potential collisions before they occur.

Nauto’s goal is to improve road safety and efficiency for fleets of all sizes, with a vision to reduce collisions by up to 90%.

History

Nauto, founded in 2015 by Stefan Heck, emerged as a pioneering AI-driven fleet safety and management platform. Stefan Heck, a former Stanford University professor with a background in computer networking and AI, was motivated to create Nauto after witnessing the rising dangers of distracted driving, particularly as smartphone usage became widespread. The company’s name, a combination of "network" and "auto," reflects its mission to enhance road safety by utilisng AI technology.

The primary focus of Nauto is to mitigate risks associated with driving, particularly within commercial fleets. The company's innovation lies in its AI-enabled devices, which are installed in vehicles to monitor both the road and the driver in real-time. These devices are equipped with dual-facing cameras, which not only detect external hazards but also monitor driver behaviour, such as distraction, drowsiness, or failure to adhere to safety regulations. This dual-functionality allows the system to deliver predictive collision alerts, providing drivers with extra reaction time to prevent accidents.

From its inception, Nauto has made substantial progress in terms of technology and market reach. Its AI system processes data using computer vision and machine learning algorithms, enabling it to predict and prevent collisions. The platform provides fleet operators with critical insights into driver performance, while also maintaining privacy by only uploading data related to high-risk events. This approach has garnered significant trust among commercial fleets, as it balances safety with privacy concerns.

Nauto’s solution includes various features aimed at improving safety, such as self-guided and manager-led driver coaching. Drivers are equipped to self-coach with AI dash cam videos, while managers can identify opportunities for additional training. The system also provides real-time alerts for dangerous behaviours like tailgating or speeding, and includes incident reporting and claims management tools that help reduce costs associated with collisions and legal claims. Additionally, its telematics capabilities allow for vehicle tracking, misuse prevention, and maintenance planning.

The company has had a notable impact on the global commercial fleet industry, helping fleets avoid over 70,000 collisions, resulting in nearly $300 million in savings. Its customer base spans multiple industries, and Nauto is now used by nearly 1,000 fleets worldwide, including in North America, Europe, Japan, and parts of Latin America. Its AI-driven platform has been shown to reduce collisions by up to 80%, improving overall fleet safety and efficiency.

In 2023, Nauto introduced enhanced telematics capabilities, integrating vehicle tracking, utilisation, and maintenance planning with its existing safety features. This advancement streamlined the fleet management experience, consolidating multiple functionalities into a single device and platform. The system’s AI-powered sensors can differentiate between various road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, providing distinct alerts that enable drivers to avoid potential collisions.

Nauto's long-term mission is to reduce collisions by up to 90%, a goal it is steadily advancing toward by continuously improving its algorithms and expanding its global reach. The company has raised $215 million in funding, with investments from major industry players such as Stellantis Ventures, demonstrating its strong position in the market. By fostering a culture of safety and operational efficiency, Nauto continues to be a leader in AI-powered fleet management.

Mission

Nauto aims to enhance road safety and operational efficiency for commercial fleets through real-time, AI-powered driver monitoring and predictive collision prevention. By analysing billions of data points from AI-analysed driving miles, Nauto’s platform helps drivers avoid high-risk events, reduce collisions, and save lives, all while preserving driver privacy. The company is committed to delivering solutions that improve driver behaviour, reduce operational costs, and foster a safer mobility ecosystem.

Vision

Nauto envisions a future where road accidents are drastically reduced through advanced AI technology. The company aims to become the global leader in AI-enabled fleet safety, reducing collisions by up to 90% and transforming how commercial fleets operate. By continuously refining its AI capabilities, Nauto seeks to drive the evolution of safer, more efficient transportation, helping fleets protect lives and achieve operational excellence.

Key Team

Vijay Pendyala (Senior Vice President, Engineering)

Andrew Priftis (Vice President, Finance)

Ganesh Thonse (Vice President, Systems)

Linda Heller (Vice President, People)

Recognition and Awards
Nauto has received several prestigious accolades for its innovative contributions to AI and fleet safety. In 2019, Nauto was selected as a winner of the Red Herring Top 100 North America award, recognising it as one of the continent’s most exciting private technology companies. Additionally, Karen C. Francis, a member of Nauto’s Board of Directors, received the 2019 Silicon Valley Business Journal Women of Influence Award, honouring her as one of the top 100 influential women in Silicon Valley. Nauto also earned recognition from the Business Intelligence Group for its excellence in artificial intelligence.
Products and Services

Nauto offers a suite of AI-powered products and services designed to enhance fleet safety and driver performance, providing real-time solutions to prevent accidents and optimise fleet operations.

  1. Predictive Collision Alerts:
    This AI-powered system predicts potential collisions by assessing driving conditions and driver behaviour in real time. It provides alerts to give drivers additional reaction time to avoid accidents, ensuring better safety on the road.
  2. Driver Behaviour Alerts:
    Nauto’s platform monitors drivers for behaviours such as drowsiness, distraction, or improper safety practices. It sends real-time alerts to correct these behaviours, reducing the risk of accidents caused by inattention or fatigue.
  3. Self-Guided Coaching:
    Drivers can improve their driving habits through self-coaching, utilising AI-generated dash cam videos that highlight areas of concern. This feature empowers drivers to take responsibility for their own safety improvements without invasive oversight.
  4. Manager-Led Coaching:
    Fleet managers can identify specific drivers in need of coaching, based on detailed performance insights provided by Nauto. This feature allows for targeted training programs to improve fleet safety, performance, and compliance with safety standards.
  5. Incident Reporting:
    In the event of an incident, Nauto’s system records relevant video and data, which can be used to reduce collision-related costs, settle claims, and exonerate drivers. This helps fleet operators handle incidents promptly and efficiently.
  6. On-Demand Video:
    This feature provides access to recorded video footage, offering clear evidence for accident investigations, claims management, and driver exoneration. It enhances transparency and reduces the potential for liability in the case of accidents or false claims.
References

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Nauto
Leadership team

Stefan Heck (Founder & CEO)

Yoav Banin (President)

Products/ Services
Predictive Collision Alerts Driver Behaviour Alerts Self-Guided Coaching Manager-Led Coaching Incident Reporting On-Demand Video
Number of Employees
100 - 500
Headquarters
California, United States
Established
2015
Revenue
20M - 100M
Revenue Year
2024-08-24
Social Media