Professional truck drivers in Germany are generally open to new technologies in the vehicle – but not without reservations. This is shown by a current survey of the telematics provider Geotab, which offers solutions for connected fleets worldwide. According to the results, 86 percent of the surveyed German drivers would prefer a so-called Instant Audio Coaching that responds in real time to distractions and provides audible warnings. The basis consists of AI-powered analyses of dashcam footage from the driver's cab.
By comparison, significantly fewer drivers wish for video recordings to be stored and analyzed later. The real-time function thus seems to hit the nerve of the drivers – presumably because it promises immediate benefit, without intruding too deeply into privacy.
Data privacy remains the central issue
Data privacy remains sensitive nonetheless. According to Geotab, 91 percent of German drivers expressed concerns about cameras in the driver's cab. An equal share said they would set aside these concerns if the recordings could be used to exonerate them
in the event of an accident. This ambivalence shows that drivers are indeed willing to weigh the benefits of new technologies.
The greatest reservations, according to the survey, are that video material could be taken out of context (39 percent), that employers could monitor employees (38 percent) or that the privacy of other road users could be affected (36 percent). These concerns underscore how important clear communication and data privacy concepts are for the use of camera technology in vehicle fleets.
“The available data show that drivers think pragmatically and with foresight. At the same time, the study points to a conflict between privacy and road safety – but also provides indications of possible solutions,” said Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President, EMEA at Geotab. “The assumption that drivers in the driver's cab would reject modern technologies is outdated. Drivers' acceptance of new technologies increases when they understand their benefits. It is up to the industry to better educate about how these systems improve the safety of
drivers. This approach can help build a culture of trust and lead to greater road safety for all road users.”
Communication as a key factor
Geotab sees in the results a clear signal to fleet managers. Those introducing new systems must specifically inform employees about how they work, their purpose, and the legal framework. Only then can trust be built. “The assumption that drivers in the driver's cab reject modern technologies is outdated,” said Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President EMEA at Geotab. “Drivers' acceptance of new technologies grows when they understand their benefits.”
In addition, the company points to the increasing driver shortage and the growing burden in everyday professional life. Supporting tools such as AI coaching and the possibility to relieve drivers through evidentiary material are, according to Geotab, important factors for professional development and well-being.
Clear advantages – under certain conditions
The survey shows that 69 percent of German drivers view the use of recordings for coaching purposes positively, provided that it is conducted
constructively and cooperatively. 62 percent advocate the use of digital technologies in general to improve their performance. Less than one percent of respondents see no benefit in dashcams.
As the most important advantages, drivers cited the improvement of their own skills through coaching, court-admissible evidence after a non-fault accident, and protection against insurance fraud. The desire for control over one's own situation therefore seems as important as trust in the employer.
What does that mean?
The figures show that the willingness for AI coaching and networked assistance systems exists – but only if transparency and data protection are taken seriously. Fleet managers thus face a balancing act between increasing efficiency and ensuring acceptance. Those who deploy dashcams and AI systems must master not only technology but also communication.
In practice, this means: trust is the most important resource in the digital driver’s cab. Only if drivers know what happens to their data—and what concrete benefits they get from it—can AI really take off in the fleet.
