In this episode of Innovation Storytellers Show, I’m joined by two pioneers in telematics—Hari Balakrishnan, Co-Founder and CTO, and Bill Powers, Co-Founder and CEO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT). Together, they’ve built the world’s largest telematics service provider, measuring and protecting over 40 million drivers globally.
Throughout our conversation, Hari and Bill take us inside the early days of CMT, where intuition and belief were at the core of their efforts, long before they had data to rely on. They describe how their approach to telematics evolved, blending visionary thinking with real-time data to enhance driver safety, lower insurance costs, and provide critical insights into driving behavior. From crash detection to influencing insurance premiums, CMT’s work is driving major transformations in how we approach road safety.
We also explore the human side of building an innovative company. Bill emphasizes the importance of listening to feedback, even when it comes as a “no,” and Hari reflects on how learning from negative feedback was crucial in identifying the right partners. They share how their partnership with SoftBank helped fuel CMT’s growth, with investors who believed in their long-term vision for safer roads through technology.
Whether you’re fascinated by the future of telematics, or curious about the journey of a startup that achieved unicorn status, this episode offers insights into how CMT is using technology to create a safer, more connected world. Tune in to hear their inspiring story of resilience, adaptability, and groundbreaking innovation.
Name: Hari Balakrishnan
Title: Co-Founder & CTO
Company: Cambridge Mobile Telematics
Hari Balakrishnan is the Fujitsu Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. Hari & Bill Powers are the Co-founders of Cambridge Mobile Telematics, where Hari is currently the CTO and Bill the CEO.
Hari’s research is in networked computer systems, with current interests in networking, sensing, and perception for sensor-equipped mobile devices connected to cloud or edge services. He has made many contributions to mobile and sensor computing, overlay and peer-to-peer networks, congestion control, Internet routing, and data management systems.
Name: Bill Powers
Title: Co-Founder & CEO
Company: Cambridge Mobile Telematics
Bill Powers’s leadership has transformed CMT from a small MIT start-up into the world’s largest telematics service provider, achieving unicorn status. To date CMT has measured and protected over 40 million drivers and powers 110 telematics programs globally. In 2018, CMT secured a $500 million investment from SoftBank Vision Fund, one of the largest tech investments in Massachusetts history.
