Digital technology isn't just reshaping smartphones, homes and
business, but also something else we spend a significant part of
our time in - our cars. We want them to be as connected as
everything else in our lives - with entertainment, information and
an integrated experience at our fingertips. Here's a look at how
these developments can transform the automobile industry in the
coming months and years.
Digital technology isn't just reshaping smartphones, homes and
business, but also something else we spend a significant part of
our time in - our cars. We want them to be as connected as
everything else in our lives - with entertainment, information and
an integrated experience at our fingertips. Vehicle telematics will
combine instrumentation, advanced communication technology and
software, in order to make management of remote drivers in cars
more efficient. Cloud computing will power much of the audio
streaming and dashboard apps. Safety, connectivity and intelligence
will be integrated into vehicles seamlessly. We are heading towards
the age of driverless cars - an advancement already in development
by the biggies of the automotive industry. Here's a look at how
these developments can transform the automobile industry in the
coming months and years.
Limitless Connectivity
One exciting technology is Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication, which will
allow cars to broadcast their direction and speed, minimizing the
number and severity of car accidents. Sometimes V2V warnings could
lead to a car taking action, like braking to avoid a collision,
helping cars communicate with signs and street lights and alerting
drivers that they are approaching a school zone or a red light. In
the future, this technology could even be used in mobile phones to
warn pedestrians of approaching vehicles.
The Cloud is also playing a role in car connectivity, with many
car systems connecting to the cloud via 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi. About 15%
of American households will have vehicles with connected
communications in 2012 and that figure will increase drastically
with time.
Enhanced Infotainment and Navigation
The app dashboard experience is just around the corner for the
automobile industry. GM did a demonstration of what it would be
like to have 4G LTE in your
vehicle. With this technology, passengers could watch YouTube
videos, access text notifications about car-related issues and
location-filtered restaurant recommendations. The new Mercedes GL
has screens on the back of the passenger's and driver's seats for
this. Lexus vehicles have apps displayed in the center of their
dashboards, but limited, for safety purposes. Storefronts will also
be open.
Navigation services will tie back to connectivity and allow
systems to be more automated and futuristic. For example, Audi
offers lane-departure sensing alerts for another car when it is in
a blind spot.
Innovation HMIs
Human-Machine Interface, or HMI
will improve future driving experience by giving the driver a lot
more control over car systems. Ford HMI allows drivers to use
either touch or voice-control to select settings for systems like
audio, navigation and cruise control. Audi is working on enhancing
HMI with gesture controls for both driver and passengers.
Improved Safety Controls
Telematics will improve car safety in areas like accident
avoidance, detection and recovery, at a faster pace. GM OnStar is
an example. Personalization and access to medical records will
allow First Responders access to specific medical information
resulting in faster and higher quality medical care. About 70% of
2011 cars had telematics. The demand for telematics in electric
vehicles means that almost 9 out of 10 plug-in electric cars sold
this year will have the technology. This percentage will increase
to 94% by 2017.
While many individual safety features exist, GM is taking it a
step further. They're producing the 2013 Cadillac XTS with a wide
range of safety features that, when combined, will help make up a
'sensor fusion'. Features will include multiple inputs for
intelligent brake assist, automatic collision preparation, adaptive
cruise control and heads-up display - a step towards bringing
automatic cars to the market.
Improved Remote Maintenance
As software becomes more prevalent in cars, a need to update
software remotely and safely has grown. This can be done using firmware over-the-air (FOTA) technology,
which will become standard and allow for continual software add-ons
and upgrades, while the car is operational. Remote diagnostics will
play a huge role with insurance companies in the coming years.
Safely maintained vehicles could equal better rates for drivers.
New insurance business models such as "Pay as You Drive" will
blossom.
Remote diagnostics will enable manufacturers to reset an
electronic process in the car, run apps to mitigate issues and
organize for necessary alerts and repairs. GM OnStar is a popular
example of remote vehicle diagnostics where monthly reports about
vehicle usage and maintenance can be channeled. Some of the
hundreds of diagnostic checks include air-bag system, antilock
brake system, tire pressure and engine checks.
Some of the automobile industry's current concepts and
technologies are only a glimpse of what is to come. The Wheels of the
Future are coming faster - across vehicles, infrastructure and
services.
About the Author
Chief Marketing Officer Keith Higgins provides a Symphony
Teleca insider's perspective on technology innovation and customer
challenges. Comment on the blog post, leave Keith a message or
connect with him on LinkedIn.
