DriveQuant

DriveQuant, founded in 2017 by Philippe Moulin and Olivier Grondin, provides data analytics solutions for connected vehicles. The company originated from a simple observation: instead of the costly process of connecting vehicles, a driver's smartphone possesses sensors capable of precisely analyzing driving style. This idea was developed within IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), a French research institute, where both founders were research engineers. Moulin, an engineer from Mines de Paris with a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, began his career in the auto industry before joining IFPEN. Grondin holds a Ph.D. in energetics and worked at IFPEN for a decade on projects like low-emissions engine control. Their combined expertise in the automotive sector and algorithmic analysis formed the foundation of DriveQuant.

The firm operates on a SaaS business model, catering primarily to the insurance, fleet management, and shared mobility sectors. Its technology transforms smartphone sensor data into insightful driving metrics, enabling clients like insurers to design and deploy services such as usage-based or behavior-based insurance. By leveraging smartphone telematics, DriveQuant offers an affordable and scalable method for data collection and driver engagement. This allows insurers to objectively assess road risk, adjust premiums, and reduce claim rates. For mobility and fleet clients, the company provides connected services to monitor and engage users, for instance, through gamification to encourage safer and more eco-friendly driving. On November 4, 2020, DriveQuant was acquired by FairConnect, a Switzerland-based provider of connected insurance services, to accelerate development and expand its European market presence.

DriveQuant's core offering is a platform that uses physical models and mathematical algorithms to analyze driving data. This analysis measures fuel consumption, environmental impact, driving behavior, and safety. The product suite includes a mobile Software Development Kit (SDK) called DriveKit, which allows clients to integrate telematics features into their own applications, a crash detection service, and a customizable white-label mobile app. The platform provides safety, eco-driving, and distraction scores, personalized coaching tips, and gamification features like driving challenges to motivate behavioral improvements. Key outputs include the detection of harsh braking, rapid accelerations, and phone usage while driving. The technology is designed to be efficient, with minimal impact on a smartphone's battery life.

Keywords: smartphone telematics, driving behavior analysis, connected insurance, usage-based insurance (UBI), insurtech, mobility services, fleet management, driver safety, eco-driving, crash detection, driving analytics, mobile SDK, risk assessment, driver engagement, telematics data, connected vehicles, road safety programs, behavior-based insurance (BBI), driving score, fuel consumption analysis