Video Recall for Dashcams and AI Omnicams

Video Recall allows fleet managers to request specific video footage from Motive AI Dashcams installed in vehicles. This feature is essential for investigating incidents, ensuring compliance, and supporting coaching conversations to improve fleet safety and operations.

Overview

Motive’s video recall feature enables fleets to access on-demand video footage beyond automatically captured safety events. This allows for effective incident investigation, compliance support, and driver coaching. Key features include:

• Incident investigation: Retrieve footage to review accidents or complaints.
• Regulatory compliance: Obtain video evidence for audits.
• Coaching & training: Use video to support driver improvement.
• Secure file management: Safely store and share video as needed.

Video recall basics

Video recall allows fleet managers to request specific video footage from Motive AI Dashcams. Unlike automatically recorded clips from safety events, video recall lets you request the retrieval of any available footage from the dashcam.

Primary uses include:

• Investigating accidents or incidents.
• Validating safety events.
• Meeting compliance requirements.
• Supporting driver coaching and internal reviews.

Note: Video recall is limited by dashcam retention periods, typically up to 30 hours or 7 days. Once footage is overwritten, it cannot be retrieved. Footage can only be retrieved while it remains stored on the Dashcam and accessible through the Vehicle Gateway. If the Dashcam or Vehicle Gateway is removed or stolen before footage is uploaded or recalled, the video cannot be recovered.

Permissions required for video recall

Video Recall access is controlled through user permissions.

Fleet Admins can assign separate permissions for:

• Request Videos: Allows users to submit recall requests and view requested footage.
• View Requested Videos: Allows users to view recalled videos but not submit new requests.

If you do not see the option to request video, contact your Fleet Admin to verify your assigned permissions.

Note: To configure user roles and control access to requesting or viewing videos, see Manage permissions for viewing and requesting videos.

Requesting videos

Video Recall can be initiated from multiple locations in the Fleet Dashboard.

Request video from a Safety Event (Vehicle page)

To request video footage:

1. Log in to the Fleet Dashboard.
2. Click Fleet View > Vehicles.
3. Choose the vehicle with an AI Dashcam installed.
4. Go to the Summary tab.
5. Scroll to Recent Activity and click the Safety Events tab.
6. Select the relevant safety event.
7. On the event detail page, click Request video.

In the request dialog:

• Choose the camera channel (road-facing, driver-facing, or both, if available).
• Select the desired date and time range (within the retention window).
• Specify the duration, if applicable.
• Click Request video to submit.

Once submitted, the video will appear under Safety > Requests when available.

If the vehicle is offline, the request will be queued until the Dashcam reconnects.

Request video from a Speeding Event

You can also request Video Recall from Speeding events:

1. Click Safety in the left-hand menu.
2. Select the Speeding tab.
3. Click the desired speeding event.
4. Click Get Video.
5. Review the event details (such as duration, speed limit, and location).
6. Click Request Video to submit the recall request.

Once processed, the video will be available under Safety > Requests.

Request a time-lapse or manual video from the Safety Page

You can also request a video directly from the Safety page.

1. Log in to the Fleet Dashboard > Safety.
2. Click Request Video in the top-right corner.
3. Select the vehicle and date.
4. Select the time from the clock. In the up-to field, select the time from the Timelapse category (if available).
5. Click Request Video.

Note: The Timelapse video option is for the AI Dashcams (DC 53 and DC 54) and AI Omnicam - not for the Smart Dashcams (DC 33 and DC 34).

Understanding the video timeline

• The availability graph displays stored video segments.
• Colored or highlighted bars indicate available footage.
• Recorded events may appear on the map above the timeline.
• Use the slider to select the specific portion of video you want to request.

Video processing time

Requested videos are typically available within a few minutes. Processing time may vary depending on vehicle state and connectivity.

A video request may take longer to complete if:

• The Vehicle Gateway is connected to a light-duty vehicle, and the engine is powered off.
• The Vehicle Gateway is connected to a heavy-duty vehicle, and the engine has been powered off for more than 24 hours.
• The vehicle does not have an active cellular connection.

Note: To get your requested video faster, make sure your Vehicle Gateway is connected to a stable cellular network. For light duty vehicles, the engine should be running to retrieve the videos successfully. For heavy duty vehicles, videos may successfully upload up to 24 hours after the engine has been powered off.

On-Demand (Engine-off) video recall

Video Recall can be processed even when a vehicle’s ignition is turned off. This is supported through the Vehicle Gateway’s low-power mode.

How Engine-off video recall works

• Approximately 45 minutes after the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off, the Vehicle Gateway enters low-power mode.
• While in low-power mode, the Vehicle Gateway periodically wakes to check for pending video recall requests.
• The system initially checks every two hours. If no request is found, the interval gradually increases (to four, eight, and then twelve hours).
• When a video recall request is detected, the Vehicle Gateway temporarily powers on to retrieve and upload the requested footage to the Fleet Dashboard.
• After processing the request, the Gateway returns to low-power mode.

If multiple recall requests are submitted, the system remains active for a short period (up to 20 minutes) to process additional requests before returning to low-power mode.

Important notes

• Engine-Off Video Recall allows you to request footage without waiting for the vehicle to be started.
• Upload speed remains consistent regardless of ignition status.
• The Vehicle Gateway draws only the power required to complete recall tasks, minimizing battery impact.

Reviewing recalled videos

Once processed, recalled videos can be accessed from the Requests tab.

1. Go to Safety > Requests tab
2. Locate the requested video.
3. Click the video thumbnail to review.

From this page, you can:

• Use playback controls to review footage
• Download the video
• Share the video with authorized personnel

Access is governed by your organization’s permissions and privacy policies.

Note: For vehicles equipped with both AI Dashcam and AI Omnicam, video tiles are labeled by mounting location to help distinguish between camera views.

Best practices

• Request quickly: Submit video recall requests soon after an incident to ensure footage is available.
• Narrow searches: Use precise time windows and camera angles to speed up retrieval and protect privacy.
• Respect privacy: Only authorized personnel should request or view recalled videos, following your company’s privacy policies.
• Secure storage: Downloaded videos should be stored securely and shared only with authorized individuals.
• Understand retention: Video is only available for a limited time, usually 30 hours or 7 days. Make requests promptly.

FAQs

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