March 3, 2023

Dash Cams and Cloud - the Future of Driving Safety

Dash cams have been growing in popularity over the past few years as drivers seek to capture footage of accidents, near-misses, and other incidents on the road. For unfamiliar people, a dash cam is a small camera mounted on a truck or car's dashboard that records footage of the road ahead. However, traditional dash cams have limitations regarding storage and accessing footage. That's where cloud-based dash cams come in. Cloud technology allows data to be stored and accessed remotely over the internet. Together, these technologies are transforming how we drive and increasing safety on the road.

Two of the leading companies in this space are Thinkware and BlackVue. Cloud-based dash cams like BlackVue DR900X-2CH Plus and Thinkware U1000 have various features that traditional dashcams lack. For instance, they offer real-time remote viewing, enabling drivers to view footage from anywhere worldwide, as long as they have an Internet connection. Cloud is especially useful for fleet management and fleet safety. Fleet managers who must keep track of multiple vehicles can easily do so with a Cloud-ready dash cam.

Benefits of Cloud Technology x Dash Cam

Access footage remotely, even if the vehicle is parked or the dash cam is damaged or stolen

One of the key benefits of cloud technology in dash cams is the ability to access footage remotely. With a traditional dash cam, drivers must remove the camera from their car or the microSD card from the dash cam and connect it to a computer to view the footage. This can be time-consuming and inconvenient, particularly in an accident.

With cloud-enabled dash cams, however, drivers can access their footage from anywhere, using their smartphone or computer. Cloud offers the driver a quick and easy way to upload video to the Cloud and review footage in the event of an incident without waiting until they can retrieve the camera from their car.

BlackVue Cloud: Auto-Upload and Backup

This also means that even if they are away from their parked vehicle or if the dash cam is damaged or stolen, the footage is still safe and accessible. Some cloud-based dash cams also offer automatic cloud syncing, which ensures that footage is backed up in real time.

Real-time alerts and notifications for driver safety

Some dash cams have features that allow them to detect incidents, such as sudden braking or collisions. With cloud technology, these incidents can be seen in real-time, and drivers can receive alerts on their smartphones. With a Cloud-enabled dash cam, drivers can take action quickly by calling for help or reviewing footage to assess the situation.

Thinkware Connected: Strong Impact Notification

Sharing footage with others

Another key advantage of cloud-based dash cams is sharing footage with others. For instance, if you're involved in an accident, you can quickly and easily share the footage with your car insurance company, law enforcement, or other relevant parties. This can help speed up the claims process and provide crucial evidence in legal disputes. There have been cases where cloud-based dash cams have provided vital evidence in hit-and-run accidents, where the driver responsible might have gone unpunished if not for the footage recorded by a nearby dash cam.

Nexar Cloud: One-Click Incident Report

Real-time vehicle tracking

Some cloud-enabled dash cams have features allowing them to track the vehicle's location using GPS.

This can be useful for monitoring the location of a fleet of vehicles or keeping a teenager's driving habits. Have you got a front-and-interior Cloud dash cam? You can monitor behind-the-wheel actions, such as reckless driving and driver distraction, and use real-time voice communication to address dangerous driver behavior and improve driver safety.

Some dash cams also come with the ability to upload footage to social media or other online platforms, allowing drivers to share their experiences with others.

BlackVue Cloud: Remote Live View

Data protection, security, and privacy concerns

With any cloud-based service, there are concerns about the privacy and security of personal data. Since the footage captured by dash cams often includes personal information, it's important to ensure that this data is kept safe and secure. Reputable cloud-based dash cam providers implement security measures to protect user data.

However, there is always a risk of data breaches, and users need to be aware of this risk and take steps to protect their data, such as using strong passwords and regularly changing them. It's also important to read the privacy policies of dash cam providers and understand how they collect, use, and share user data.

Cloud-ready dash cams on the market

While Thinkware and BlackVue are two of the leading companies in the dash cam space, other cloud dash cams in the market are worth considering, including the Owlcam Classic 5, Garmin Dash Cam Connected, Ring Car Cam and the Nexar dash cam lineup. Another option is the Nextbase 622GW, which offers 4K video resolution and a 140-degree wide-angle lens. The 622GW also offers built-in Alexa, which allows drivers to control their camera using voice commands. Finally, the 622GW offers automatic incident detection, which saves footage in the event of an accident.

More innovative Cloud dash cams coming this Spring 2023

In conclusion, dash cams and cloud technology are transforming how we drive and increasing safety on the road. Their advanced features, enhanced storage options, and remote access capabilities offer convenience and peace of mind that traditional dash cams simply can't match. As cloud technology develops and improves, we expect to see even more innovative features added to dash cams - like the BlackVue DR970X and the BlackVue DR970X-2CH LTE, the highly anticipated 4K UHD dash cam with built-in 4G LTE connectivity, slated to arrive at BlackboxMyCar in early Spring 2023.

If you want to upgrade your driving safety and convenience, consider investing in a cloud-based dash cam and experience the benefits of remote access, real-time alerts, and automatic cloud syncing.