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Samsara extends AI to ‘automate away the grind,’ boost safety
Tech vendor enables fleets to build custom AI agents, adds camera views to support drivers
Key Takeaways:
- Samsara introduced Agent Studio, enabling fleets to build custom AI agents without coding using existing operational data.
- New AI tools include ride-alongs, predictive coaching and maintenance features to improve safety and efficiency.
- Enhanced in-cab systems add 360-degree visibility and voice communication to support drivers in real time.
LAS VEGAS — Samsara is embedding artificial intelligence deeper into its connected-operations technology, enabling fleets to further automate back-office tasks and support drivers with voice assistance and camera-aided visibility in the cab.
Sanjit Biswas, the company’s CEO and co-founder, said AI has grown more powerful within the past year, with AI agents now increasingly capable of not only providing insight but formulating plans and taking action.
“AI can now start automating away some of the task work that has to happen every single day as part of your operation. And this is a huge unlock. We can now automate away the grind,” Biswas said June 24 at Samsara’s Beyond 2026 conference.
As part of this shift toward automated workflows, the technology supplier is putting agentic AI development directly in the hands of its customers with its new Agent Studio, which fleet operators can use to create and deploy their own customized AI agents.
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Building on data generated by millions of connected vehicles and equipment, fleet operators can configure virtual agents to handle myriad tasks, such as communicating key information to drivers, generating daily fleet performance summaries and enhancing vehicle maintenance processes.
Users can build custom agents from scratch or utilize more than 15 pre-built templates across safety and maintenance, all without requiring expertise in software development.
“It’s all in plain English and powered by the Samsara data you already have in the system,” Biswas said.
Fleets can experiment with Agent Studio now in open beta testing.
Getting started this morning at #SamsaraBeyond 2026 in Las Vegas. @Samsara CEO Sanjit Biswas says AI is transforming workflows for fleet operators. “We can now automate away the grind.” pic.twitter.com/MMfNkgCpXL — Seth Clevenger (@SethClevenger) June 24, 2026
To support fleet safety efforts, Samsara is also applying AI to driver ride-alongs and coaching.
Standard ride-alongs typically involve a senior driver or trainer in the cab taking notes on the driver’s performance behind the wheel, including proper mirror checks, anticipation of potential hazards and signs of aggressiveness or disengagement.
While those ride-alongs can catch subtle driving behaviors that otherwise might have gone unnoticed, they require significant time and labor.
To address this, Samsara is rolling out AI-powered ride-alongs, which enable fleets to more closely assess driver performance at scale. The new feature is available now in beta testing.
Samsara developed the AI ride-along capability in collaboration with food distributor UNFI, which ranks No. 16 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private carriers in North America.
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"All of us have a role in writing that next chapter," UNFI's Tehzin Chadwick says of companies' adoption and implementation of artificial intelligence. (Seth Clevenger/Transport Topics)
“AI isn’t the story. It’s just the next chapter, and all of us have a role in writing that next chapter,” said Tehzin Chadwick, UNFI’s chief safety officer.
AI can also help fleets better understand which of their drivers need help with coaching.
Samsara’s new Coaching Priority feature predicts which drivers present the highest risk of being involved in a crash so fleets can focus their resources where it matters most.
Streamlining maintenance
In addition, Samsara introduced its new Connected Asset Maintenance feature, which uses agentic AI to help fleets prioritize vehicle maintenance work and translate fault code data into actionable intelligence.
Tapping into historical operating data, the AI provides context such as the severity of a particular fault code and the estimated cost to fix it, along with the likelihood that it will turn into a more severe fault if not addressed and the associated cost.
Shipping and mailing service provider Pitney Bowes has been utilizing Samsara’s technology to streamline maintenance processes and also is testing the new Agent Studio to help free up time for its employees.
“We want our managers spending more time with our drivers and less time behind the desk,” said Michael Keller, director of network solutions at the company. “Retention is the key. Without the drivers behind the wheel, we don’t work here. This AI, this automation, this is going to bridge that gap.”
Enhancing the driver experience
Samsara also is expanding its AI-powered in-cab visibility and communications tools, including enhancements to its AI Multicam platform for on-road fleets.
For vehicles such as box trucks operating in urban environments, the company has added Bird’s Eye View, a new feature that provides drivers with a top-down, 360-degree composite view of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings. This viewpoint assists drivers as they navigate crowded yards and narrow spaces to help prevent crashes.
Just announced at #SamsaraBeyond: dozens of new AI capabilities built to help teams reduce risk, increase efficiency, and digitally transform how their operations run. Explore what's new: https://t.co/jmdvab16oI pic.twitter.com/8B7oOVbNeA — Samsara (@Samsara) June 24, 2026
“It gives you that extra set of eyes in tough-to-maneuver conditions,” said Johan Land, senior vice president of product at Samsara.
Bird’s Eye View uses AI to stitch together video from four fisheye cameras positioned around the vehicle. The new capability will be available by the end of this summer, Land said.
The company also introduced its new 360 Camera for operated equipment such as forklifts, construction machinery and airport ground equipment. The camera system eliminates blind spots by providing a full panoramic view from a single mounting point.
“This 360-degree visibility changes the fundamentals of safety,” Land said.
Additionally, new two-way voice communication functionality through the Samsara dash cam allows drivers and fleet managers to exchange messages without relying on mobile phones or external communication tools.
Businesses also can use that same channel to send drivers automated AI briefings, which can deliver information ranging from an overview of the route ahead to traffic and weather conditions and safety coaching reminders.
Sharing knowledge
The company also introduced the Samsara Community, an online hub and professional network for customers around the world to share experiences, troubleshoot challenges and learn from each other.
“We have spent more than a decade building one of the most diverse and experienced customer bases in physical operations,” said Meagen Eisenberg, Samsara’s chief marketing officer. “The Samsara Community is how we put that collective knowledge to work and shape the industry’s future.”
Samsara Community members can participate in product-specific forums and industry and regional groups, access a range of Samsara resources and participate in programs that inform Samsara’s product road map.
Beyond 2026, Samsara’s fifth annual customer conference, drew about 4,000 attendees, the company said.
