---
title: What is Smart Hubo?
description: Smart Hubo automates RUC purchasing for heavy vehicles using a wheel sensor, gate reader and in-cab display in place of manual hubodometer administration.
---
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1. [Argus Tracking Customer Knowledge Base](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base?hsLang=en-au)
2. [Compliance and RUC](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au)
3. [Vehicle compliance and servicing](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#vehicle-compliance-and-servicing)
# What is Smart Hubo?
## Smart Hubo is Argus's eRUC automation system for heavy vehicles, using a wheel sensor, gate reader and in-cab display to automate RUC purchasing.
Smart Hubo is Argus's eRUC automation system for heavy vehicles. A wheel sensor measures distance travelled, a gate reader collects that reading and uploads it to Argus, and an in-cab display shows your current Road User Charges (RUC) licence — replacing manual RUC administration with automatic purchasing.
**Also known as / customers also ask:** Smart Hubo, eRUC+, myRUC Heavy, electronic hubodometer, hubo automation, heavy vehicle RUC display, hubodometer replacement
## What does Smart Hubo do?
Smart Hubo has three components. The **wheel sensor** measures the distance your vehicle travels and sends that data to the **gate reader**, which uploads it to your Argus account. The **display** in the cab shows and updates your vehicle's eRUC information. Together, this automates RUC purchasing and removes the manual admin of tracking a mechanical hubodometer and buying paper RUC licences.
## How does Smart Hubo fit alongside other vehicle configurations?
Not every vehicle in your fleet needs the same setup. Argus supports five vehicle configuration options: GPS only; GPS with a RUC screen; GPS with a RUC screen and Smart Hubo; a RUC screen with a mechanical Hubo; and Vision AI Dashcam. Which one applies depends on the vehicle's weight, RUC liability and whether it already has a mechanical hubodometer fitted. **Argus does not install mechanical hubodometers** — where one is required, this is arranged separately from your Smart Hubo installation.
## How does Smart Hubo work?
The gate reader needs a 230V powered location within 30 metres of where your vehicles regularly pass, so it can reliably pick up the wheel sensor's readings as a vehicle drives by. Once a reading reaches the gate reader, it's uploaded to Argus and used to keep your RUC licence and in-cab display current.
## Who uses Smart Hubo and when would I need it?
Smart Hubo applies to heavy vehicles — those over 3,500 kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) that are RUC-liable. For automated RUC purchasing to run, the vehicle needs a mechanical hubodometer that's set up and calibrated in Argus. Where that calibration is missing, the vehicle is excluded from automatic RUC purchasing and you'll receive a reminder email instead of an automatic purchase.
## What do I need to use Smart Hubo?
- A mechanical hubodometer fitted and calibrated in Argus, for vehicles over 3,500 kg GVM.
- A 230V powered location for the gate reader, within 30 metres of where your vehicles regularly pass.
- NZTA's records showing your vehicle has switched to the hubodometer rather than another eRUC provider.
## How do I get started with Smart Hubo?
Before installation, work through what you need to have ready — see [how to get ready for your Smart Hubo installation](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/how-do-i-get-ready-for-my-smart-hubo-installation?hsLang=en-au). After installation, your first RUC purchase happens automatically as part of a process called RUCHO — see [how your first RUC purchase works](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/what-is-rucho-and-how-does-my-first-ruc-purchase-work?hsLang=en-au).
This article doesn't cover *Smart eRUC for light vehicles* — see [Smart eRUC](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/what-is-smart-eruc?hsLang=en-au) — or *the difference between Smart eRUC, Smart eRUC Heavy and Smart Hubo* — see the [difference between Smart eRUC, Smart eRUC Heavy and Smart Hubo](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/whats-the-difference-between-smart-eruc-smart-eruc-heavy-and-smart-hubo?hsLang=en-au).
- [Getting started](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [First steps](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#first-steps)
- [Your dashboard](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#your-dashboard)
- [Billing and payments](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#billing-and-payments)
- [Troubleshooting](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [GPS signal and accuracy](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-au#gps-signal-and-accuracy)
- [My asset isn't tracking](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-au#my-asset-isnt-tracking)
- [Website, browser and app problems](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-au#website-browser-and-app-problems)
- [Reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Scheduled and emailed reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#scheduled-and-emailed-reports)
- [Asset reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#asset-reports)
- [Choosing a report](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#choosing-a-report)
- [Fuel reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#fuel-reports)
- [Fleet, usage and utilisation reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#fleet-usage-and-utilisation-reports)
- [Location, site and geofence reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#location-site-and-geofence-reports)
- [Driver reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#driver-reports)
- [FBT and cost reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#fbt-and-cost-reports)
- [Health and safety reports](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/reports?hsLang=en-au#health-and-safety-reports)
- [Apps and integrations](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [API and iFrame](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#api-and-iframe)
- [FleetHub and pool booking](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#fleethub-and-pool-booking)
- [Mobile apps](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#mobile-apps)
- [Partner integrations](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/apps-and-integrations?hsLang=en-au#partner-integrations)
- [Fuel and check sheets](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/fuel-and-check-sheets?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Fuel Watch and fuel cards](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/fuel-and-check-sheets?hsLang=en-au#fuel-watch-and-fuel-cards)
- [Using the Check Sheet app](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/fuel-and-check-sheets?hsLang=en-au#using-the-check-sheet-app)
- [Check sheet templates and setup](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/fuel-and-check-sheets?hsLang=en-au#check-sheet-templates-and-setup)
- [Compliance and RUC](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Vehicle compliance and servicing](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#vehicle-compliance-and-servicing)
- [Smart Renew](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#smart-renew)
- [RUC licences, invoices and credits](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#ruc-licences-invoices-and-credits)
- [Smart eRUC and Smart Hubo](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#smart-eruc-and-smart-hubo)
- [RUC Collect](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#ruc-collect)
- [Setting up Smart Hubo](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/compliance-and-ruc?hsLang=en-au#setting-up-smart-hubo)
- [Users, access and settings](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Login, password, MFA and SSO](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#login-password-mfa-and-sso)
- [Users and user levels](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#users-and-user-levels)
- [Policies and legal documents](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#policies-and-legal-documents)
- [Account settings and preferences](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/users-access-and-settings?hsLang=en-au#account-settings-and-preferences)
- [Assets and devices](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Adding and importing assets](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#adding-and-importing-assets)
- [How GPS tracking works](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#how-gps-tracking-works)
- [Asset profiles and details](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#asset-profiles-and-details)
- [Hardware, installs and decommissioning](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#hardware-installs-and-decommissioning)
- [Groups and cost centres](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#groups-and-cost-centres)
- [Safety hardware and ASSIST](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#safety-hardware-and-assist)
- [LOCI asset trackers](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/assets-and-devices?hsLang=en-au#loci-asset-trackers)
- [Tracking and maps](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Geofences](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#geofences)
- [Alerts and notifications](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#alerts-and-notifications)
- [Live tracking and Spectate](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#live-tracking-and-spectate)
- [Route optimisation and jobs](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/tracking-and-maps?hsLang=en-au#route-optimisation-and-jobs)
- [Driver safety and behaviour](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#main-content)
- [Driver ID and FaceID](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#driver-id-and-faceid)
- [Speed zones and overspeed](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#speed-zones-and-overspeed)
- [Vision AI](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#vision-ai)
- [Risk points and scoring](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/driver-safety-and-behaviour?hsLang=en-au#risk-points-and-scoring)
- [Vision AI](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/vision-ai?hsLang=en-au)
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