At Geotab Connect 2026 in Las Vegas, Geotab unveiled the next phase of its telematics roadmap, positioning AI-powered video, higher-precision vehicle intelligence and satellite-enabled asset tracking as key priorities for Australian and New Zealand fleets.
The message from the global launch was clear: telematics is evolving from vehicle tracking into what the company described as an “operational brain” capable of converting complex vehicle data into practical, near real-time insights.
David Brown, Associate Vice President, APAC, Geotab, said fleets in this region operate in uniquely challenging conditions.
“Australian and New Zealand fleets operate in some of the most demanding conditions in the world. This next wave of innovation is about turning connected vehicle data into near real time intelligence that fleets can actually use to prevent incidents, sharpen decision making and maintain visibility across vehicles and critical assets, even in hard to reach areas,” Brown said.
For Fleet Managers balancing safety, compliance and cost pressures in 2026, the roadmap centres on three areas: AI-powered video safety, next-generation hardware, and improved visibility of non-powered assets.
AI-powered video safety: GO Focus Pro
A headline announcement was GO Focus Pro, an expansion of Geotab’s video telematics portfolio designed to deliver 360-degree visibility with predictive risk detection.
The system combines surround video coverage with in-cab AI alerts to identify potential risks before an incident occurs. For heavy vehicle operators, a key feature is a zero-latency backup monitor, providing a near-instant video feed to assist with reversing and docking — activities that remain high-risk for low-speed incidents in depots, worksites and last-mile environments.
For organisations with growing liability exposure and higher insurance scrutiny, this approach signals a shift from post-incident review to proactive risk mitigation.
Next-generation intelligence: GO and GO Plus
Geotab also introduced a re-engineered version of its flagship GO device alongside the new GO Plus telematics device.
Built on a new architecture, the devices are designed to support faster AI processing and higher-integrity data streams. This is particularly relevant for mixed fleets managing internal combustion vehicles alongside battery electric vehicles.
Key enhancements include:
- GO: Native Bluetooth connectivity and enhanced tamper protection with last-gasp alerting
- GO Plus: Satellite-ready tracking capability and an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot to support data continuity for incident reconstruction and operational transparency
For fleets transitioning to EVs, reliable diagnostics covering fuel tracking and EV performance data remain critical for whole-of-life cost modelling and compliance reporting.
Extending visibility beyond vehicles
Beyond powered vehicles, Geotab introduced the GO Anywhere and GO Anywhere Plus asset trackers, targeting trailers, heavy equipment and other non-powered assets.
The GO Anywhere Plus model introduces the potential for satellite connectivity in Australia, merging mobile and satellite networks in a commercial IoT device. For fleets operating in regional and remote areas, this aims to close coverage gaps without the cost burden traditionally associated with satellite-only hardware.
For local government and utilities operating plant and trailers across wide geographic footprints, this capability may address long-standing concerns around asset utilisation and loss.
From tracking to operational intelligence
For Procurement Managers and Fleet Coordinators, the announcements at Geotab Connect 2026 reflect a broader industry shift. Telematics is no longer positioned solely as a compliance or tracking tool, but as an integrated platform designed to influence driver behaviour, asset utilisation and sustainability outcomes.
The practical question for fleets in 2026 will be how these tools integrate with existing systems — and whether the promised near real-time intelligence translates into measurable improvements in safety, productivity and cost control.
- Driver buy-in starts before the telematics system is installed
New fleet safety technology can deliver detailed data and new ways to coach drivers, but the Teletrac Navman research suggests the quality of the rollout may determine whether drivers see the system as support or surveillance. Fleet technology projects are often measured by installation dates, hardware uptime and whether the data is flowing. For Fleet - Real-world fuel data could change how fleets choose vehiclesFleet buyers have long known that quoted fuel-consumption figures do not always match what happens once a vehicle enters service (they don’t need the AAA telling them). A ute fitted with a tray, tools, payload, roof racks and other accessories, then operated across regional roads, construction sites or congested metro routes, is unlikely to deliver
- Fleet AI is moving beyond chatbots, but the data comes firstFleet Managers are already using artificial intelligence to write policies, analyse spreadsheets, summarise documents and speed up routine administration. The bigger shift, however, will not come from asking a chatbot better questions. It will come when AI can safely use an organisation’s own data to complete repeatable fleet tasks. Eden Shirley, Managing Director and Founder
- AI turns fleet accident data into a safety action planFleet accident reporting has traditionally focused on what happened: the number of claims, total cost, location and driver details. The harder task is identifying why incidents are occurring, which risks deserve immediate attention and what actions will make a practical difference. Summit Fleet Leasing and Management is using its AI Fleet Insights platform to help
- Fleet Data Is Escaping the Fleet DepartmentFleet telematics has traditionally been the domain of Fleet Managers, but Dan Winston, Founder and CEO of Zetifi, believes that is about to change. Speaking at the AfMA Summit, Winston demonstrated how connected vehicle data can be integrated directly into Microsoft applications, giving finance, HR and safety teams access to information that has historically been
