It wasn’t too long ago that the software-defined vehicle was all the rage in the automotive sector, but a new era is dawning, that of the AI-defined vehicle. Whether through system-level integration or add-on devices, more AI capabilities will be hitting the road in the near future.
Arm recently discussed its vision for AI-defined vehicles, one that included a new compute subsystem, but AI does not always need to be hard-wired into vehicle systems for automakers, drivers, and insurers to realize the benefits of the technology. AI also can make a difference through sensor-based devices like add-on tags and the use of AI to process data from sensors to enable intelligent safety alerts and other capabilities.
With that in mind, Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) recently announced new AI-powered features that are part of its DriveWell Fusion platform, and that can be delivered through smartphones or on-vehicle IoT devices like the company's CMT Tag sensors to improve driver safety and streamline insurance claims management, among other benefits.
Matt Fiorentino, vice president of marketing at CMT, recently told Fierce Electronics, “It depends on how you define an ‘AI-defined vehicle,’ but if you’re talking about vehicles and mobility systems that continuously learn from real-world data to improve safety, efficiency, and experience, then yes, CMT is moving the industry closer to that vision.”
Among the new offerings is AI-powered Roadside Assistance, which detects when a driver pulls over due to vehicle issues like flat tires or mechanical failures. This capability allows CMT’s customers to offer proactive real-time support to drivers and reduce towing costs.
Another new feature is CMT’s Hail Alerts. Hail damage to vehicles costs $8 to $14 billion annually, ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 per vehicle for moderate repairs. Using hyperlocal forecasts, Hail Alerts delivers personalized warnings for severe weather to vehicle owners, giving them time to move their vehicles and avoid costly hail damage.
The company also is offering a crash detection feature that CMT said works even without phone location permissions on Android devices. Also related to collision incidents is CMT’s AI Total Loss capability, which fuses telematics sensor data with AI-driven photo analysis to allow insurers to confirm a total loss at the scene within minutes, a process that otherwise can take several days and require multiple service visits. The streamlined process helps drivers get their vehicle back faster while saving insurers $1,500 per claim, CMT said.
Another new AI capability that insurers can leverage is CMT’s Crash Timeline Visualization, which provides claims teams with a clear, interactive view of the event, breaking down crash dynamics to support faster, more accurate decisions, and getting drivers back on the road sooner. With CMT’s latest update, its full Crash Assistance experience is now available in white-label apps for a ready-to-deploy solution with no further development needed.
CMT also has overhauled its messaging platform so insurers can launch engagement campaigns faster, personalize outreach, and reach drivers across channels. The company said nsurers are already seeing results: a new milestone campaign increased retention by 19%, while enhancements to the welcome and crash messaging flows are driving higher engagement and stronger retention.
While the above is appealing to insurance companies, CMT is upgrading its driver experience, too. It is introducing Tag+, an upgraded version of its flagship device that helps consumers stay connected to their safe driving program even when phone app permissions are off. Powered by CMT’s proprietary mesh network, Tag+ helps safe driving programs achieve 98% retention without compromising pricing accuracy or risk assessment.
Fiorentino said, “Our models analyze driving behaviors to assess risk, detect crashes, determine crash severity, identify potential total losses, understand CO₂ emissions, and deliver personalized driver feedback, making driving safer and more sustainable. This intelligence reaches drivers through mobile apps, connected vehicles, and IoT devices [like Tag, Tag+, and dashboard cameras], with real-time safety alerts.”
Supporting an earlier point, the wide range of devices supported means that AI capabilities can be had “without [AI] needing to be hard-wired into the car itself,” he added. “Drivers and fleets can activate the technology by downloading an app, turning on one of our devices and sticking it to the windshield, or opting in through a partner platform.”
Fiorentino continued, “This makes deployment faster and more scalable than traditional embedded systems. We’re able to deliver a connected vehicle experience—like crash detection, AI-driven risk scoring, driver coaching, total loss detection, and more—without requiring new hardware or factory-level integration.