Mobile Device Sensor Data Collection for Insurance Premium Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting and evaluating driving behavior data for insurance purposes rely on specialized devices that plug into vehicle data ports, which are cumbersome and limited in their ability to provide real-time, comprehensive insights into driving behavior, especially for higher-risk drivers like teens and elderly individuals.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device, such as a smartphone, equipped with sensors and software that automatically collects and transmits vehicle operation data, including miles driven, location, time, and vehicle dynamics, to a remote server for insurance premium calculation, eliminating the need for additional hardware and enabling real-time data analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized devices plug into vehicle data ports to collect driving behavior data, then data collection capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mobile device (smartphone, tablet, or laptop) that the driver already possesses to collect and transmit driving behavior data, replacing the need for specialized onboard devices. The mobile device copies the data collection function by using its own sensors (accelerometer, GPS, gyroscope) and connectivity capabilities to gather and send driving data to the insurance provider, thereby eliminating complex hardware installation while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as a data collection device using its sensors, a communication device transmitting data via wireless networks, and a processing device running the application software. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated specialized devices, reducing overall system complexity while improving ease of operation since the driver already owns and operates the mobile device
2Measurement precision
If specialized devices are used to collect driving behavior data, then data collection is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device that the driver already possesses and operates daily is used to collect driving behavior data, copying the data collection function from specialized devices. This eliminates the need for additional installation steps since the driver already has the device and knows how to operate it, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining data collection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The driver uses their own mobile device to perform the data collection and transmission functions, making the system self-service oriented. The driver simply needs to have the mobile device with the application installed and enabled during driving, without requiring professional installation or maintenance of specialized equipment, thereby significantly improving ease of operation
3Measurement precision
If real-time comprehensive driving behavior assessment is implemented, then insurance premium accuracy is improved, but data collection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device's existing multi-functional capabilities (sensors for motion detection, GPS for location tracking, wireless communication for data transmission, and processor for data analysis) are leveraged to provide real-time comprehensive driving behavior assessment. This approach achieves accurate insurance premium calculation without requiring additional specialized hardware, as the mobile device already possesses all necessary functions integrated into a single universal platform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/data-port-based specialized devices with a software-based solution running on a mobile device. The application software utilizes the mobile device's digital sensors and wireless communication capabilities to collect, process, and transmit driving behavior data in real-time, substituting complex mechanical installation and data retrieval systems with simpler software-based data collection that achieves comparable or superior measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a more convenient, comprehensive, and real-time assessment of driving behavior, allowing for more accurate insurance premium calculations and incentivizing safer driving practices by leveraging existing mobile technology, thereby improving driving safety and reducing insurance costs.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer of the mobile device may be used to identify instances of notable acceleration, braking, and/or cornering
Implementation Method 2
a gyroscope of the mobile device may be used to identify instances of notable cornering
Implementation Method 3
a magnetometer of the mobile device may be used to identify instances of notable cornering
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining a vehicle insurance premium for a period of time based at least in part on collected vehicle operation data, the system comprising: a mobile device, comprising: one or more sensors associated with the mobile device and configured to automatically collect vehicle operation data during a data collection session; a processor; a non-transitory storage medium; a display; a transmitter; and a set of computer readable instructions stored in the non-transitory storage medium and when executed by the processor configured to allow the mobile device to collect vehicle operation data and transmit the collected vehicle operation data; and a remote processing computer, comprising: a server that receives collected vehicle operation data; a database that stores collected vehicle operation data; and a rating engine that determines a vehicle insurance premium based at least in part on collected vehicle operation data.