Connected Vehicle

Connected Vehicle: Features & Trends

The automotive industry is witnessing a radical change with car manufacturers introducing new technologies that seem to be pulled straight from the future. Modern carmakers are investing heavily in developing their own operating systems and apps which they have offered in almost all their products. Connected cars have become the new norm in the automobile industry, and we can only expect it to get safer and convenient. Connected cars designs are being continuously refined, making them more ergonomic and futuristic. Today, connected car comes with many convenient and smart features. These features help to improve the overall driving experience, make travel safer, reduce congestion and provide real-time information, and also add a safety net with its advanced safety features. Below are some of the feature update of connected vehicle:

Internet

A connected car owns its connection to the Internet via an embedded chipset or SIM Card, provided there is a stable wireless network coverage. Connected Vehicles can also provide download over-the-air updates issued by the manufacturer and provides access to other online apps and services.

Hyundai has come up with an inbuilt Vodafone-Idea eSIM card for its compact SUV Venue. The SUV does not require the user’s smartphone to be connected to a plethora of options like entertainment, navigation and emergency response, etc.

MG Motors has entered the race with an SUV named Hector with an embedded SIM card from Airtel.

Embedded eSIMs identify individual vehicles, encrypt communications and ensure secure global connectivity to smart vehicle systems including eCall emergency solutions, vehicle telematics, navigation and more.

eSIM has already been selected by the European Commission to form a part of the emergency call system in the car.

As per GSMA, eSIM would help car manufacturers to offer any type of in-car connected service through SIM, which can be provisioned with the profile of the mobile operator after the car is shipped, as well as at the end of the contract, without the SIM needs to be changed.

Inbuilt sim module in vehicle / connectivity through smart phones /

Apps

Connected vehicles are equipped with dedicated smartphone applications, which connect to the vehicle via a wireless network. These apps allow users to remotely operate car functions such as locking/unlocking doors, opening the sunroof, engine start/stop, climate control, headlight on/off and horn sound. The app will also help in locating the car through the on-board GPS.

Google Maps, Scanner Radio-Police Scanner, Autovaras: Android Car Assistant, Spotify: Music and Podcasts, Telegram, Audible: audiobooks & podcasts, Waze:GPS, maps, traffic alerts, & live navigation, Pocket Casts, TomTom GO Navigation, Poweramp Music Player, TuneIn Radio, Player for Rainwave etc. are some apps that you can use by integrating your phone with Android Auto or Apple Car Play to the car’s entertainment syatem.

Recently, Cerence Inc. partnered with HARMAN to voice-enable third-party applications available in the HARMAN Ignite Store. With Cerence AI-powered voice recognition, automakers deploying the HARMAN Ignite Store can offer hands-free, secure access to the platform’s broad capabilities, bringing a seamless, powerful experience to their drivers. Cerence is providing speech recognition and natural language understanding technology that will integrate with the apps in the Ignite store so that drivers can nab any of the apps that interest them without taking their hands off the wheel.

Geofencing

Geofencing defines a geographic area to track vehicles if they are entering or leaving that area. In geofencing, the system uses GPS technology, and also uses other data signals, including cellular and WiFi.

In India, Tata has launched Tata IRA Connected Technology platform with geo-fencing feature in some models like Tata Altroz, Tata Punch, Tata Nexon, Tata Safari which enhances the convenience and safety of Tata car.Don’t just define what is Geofencing, get an update on what’s happening in this space wrt CV.

V2V/V2X

Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) or Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technologies allow vehicles to communicate with each other. V2V enables sharing of important information such as traffic movement, road conditions, speed limits and much more. According to a new research report from the IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, there were about 0.7 million cars with V2X capabilities on the roads at the end of 2020. This number is expected to grow to 35.1 million by 2025. Communications between vehicles has been discussed for more than two decades, but with few implementations.

 In 2013, Mercedes-Benz launched Car-to-X communication, the radio-based exchange of information between vehicles, as well as between vehicles and traffic infrastructure. The system will receive information from points outside the driver’s field of vision. Now, Mercedes-Benz has integrated a new pothole alert function to its “Car-to-X” communication system. According to the company, the newly inducted technology enables the drivers to receive real-time warnings about potential dangers on the road. The company said that potholes are a real safety hazard that can cause damage to a vehicle’s tires or suspension.

 In June 2021, Elektrobit has added two important elements to its Classic Autosar product line. These are designed to provide automotive manufacturers and suppliers with a solution for ISO 15118-compliant communication between electric vehicles and charging stations. The solution simplifies and accelerates the development of next-generation electric vehicles with the advanced vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities required by ISO 15118 in an Autosar electronic vehicle control unit development environment.

In June 2021, Keysight Technologies announced the Keysight C-V2X Autonomous Drive Emulation (ADE) solution, which enables functional, protocol and radio frequency measurements on 3GPP Release14 C-V2X devices from the Keysight UXM 5G Wireless Test platform.

In June 2021, Jacobs, Peachtree Corners and Qualcomm Technologies have been working together on deploying the company’s technology solutions, focusing on roadside infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, with the implementation of Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology. As part of the program, the city will work with Commsignia to facilitate roadside units (RSUs) equipped with Qualcomm Technologies’ C-V2X solution. Utility vehicles equipped with Qualcomm Technologies’ C-V2X solutions will also be used to demonstrate vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) direct communications.

In April 2021, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Subaru Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, and Mazda Motor Corporation signed an agreement to jointly develop technical specifications for next-generation vehicle communications devices. It will promote the common use of communication systems using connected services to connect automobiles and society, with the aim of creating new appeal, value and services to be standardized for the initial provision of safer and more convenient connected services.

Entertainment

In connected vehicle you can connect your smartphone to a host of pre-loaded entertainment services or apps. (We have moved ahead from connectivity through mobile phone to embedded SIM in infotainment panel) You can enjoy music, internet radio and watch videos. Apart from this, you can also connect your smartphone to the car’s infotainment system through the app and remotely control the audio/video.

The in-car combination of smart software with stable 4G and advanced 5G cellular networks is a tremendous opportunity to increase time spent in transit and, as we are seeing, is already unlocking the future of automotive infotainment.

 In Janaury 2022, Porsche is enhancing its infotainment system for many of its models. The latest, sixth generation of Porsche Communication Management standard in the 911, Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera models now has many new functions.  These include the direct integration of Spotify as a media source for the first time, a revamped interface design, additional optimization of Voice Pilot voice assistant, wireless Android Auto connection and – especially for the Taycan – improvements for planning charging stops. In September 2021, The Fesco Group introduced the Intellidash Pro, the much-anticipated wireless version in a series of plug-and-play dashboard-mounted IPS touchscreen smart displays, in partnership with Car and Driver magazine. Intellidash Pro allows drivers to wirelessly integrate their smartphones for the complete Apple CarPlay and Android Auto experience. Owners of older model cars can also enjoy the luxury of advanced technology without buying a new car or investing in expensive hardware installations. The installation of Intellidash Pro is easy: drivers simply mount the unit on the dashboard, plug it into a 12-volt port, and link their phone. There is also an add-on backup camera that will automatically engage when the vehicle is put in reverse.

In June 2021, Toyota Motor North America has introduced a new multimedia solution. The new system features multiple touchscreen options from 8- inches up-to 14-inches, which all feature the same newly advanced design cues and functionality, while retaining a volume knob. The system also provides five times the processing power of the previous generation system, an incredible leap in processing capacity that provides faster and more responsive touch functionality. All screens feature modern designs with optically bonded, glare reduction technology, allowing for a customer experience that reflects smartphone-like capability. Native navigation system with 100% cloud capability allows faster, more accurate direction and mapping. The OTA update will allow real-time updates for navigation mapping, enriched media experiences and other enhancements throughout the system’s lifetime.

In May 2021, DTS®, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xperi Holding Corporation, and Südwestrundfunk (SWR), announced the integration of ARD-Eventhub metadata distribution platform with DTS AutoStage™, a hybrid radio platform to be commercialized around the world, currently supporting operations in 60 countries. The integration means that all broadcaster metadata on the ARD platform for SWR stations, such as program information, station logos, album/artist imagery, etc., will be displayed accurately, consistently and seamlessly across the DTS Autostage ecosystem. It offers a state-of-the-art in-vehicle entertainment experience to German owners of vehicles supporting DTS AutoStage platform, such as Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Remote Parking & Payments

As the name of the feature suggests, some high-end connected cars even allow you to park the vehicle remotely. Using a app or the smart key fob, you can get out of your vehicle and manoeuvre the car to park it at the desired location. This feature will come in handy in tight parking spaces and when you are not sure about parking the car in a very congested area.

In August 2021, Oobeo launched a new event parking app to complement its existing parking software suite for fast cash and card payments at events including contactless payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google wallet.In June 2021, Parkopedia announced its suite of off-street parking services, including reservations and digital payments, is available to both Toyota and Lexus drivers in North America. The ‘Park with Parkopedia’ service is integrated into Toyota and Lexus smartphone apps and vehicle infotainment systems to provide drivers a complete parking experience, allowing drivers to locate, reserve and pay for parking.

 In August 2021, The Passport Parking app helps efficiently and conveniently manage parking sessions through the smartphones, eliminating the need to carry change or interact with public surfaces. After downloading the free app, a user enters the respective zone number, a license plate number and the desired length of time for parking. Users can receive notifications when their session ends and view receipts and parking history directly from their smartphones.

Safety

Connected vehicles are enabled with several important safety features like real-time location sharing/tracking, emergency SOS calls in case of an accident, roadside assistance in case of vehicle breakdown and much more. In addition to the on-board security tools, these smart safety features come in handy in difficult situations.

Autoliv is using HERE Speed Limits, Fleet Telematics and Weather APIs for its Connected Safety Services. Autoliv is developing Connected Safety Services, which aim to tackle another crucial factor for road fatalities: driving behavior. Real-time data from the driver’s smart phone is used to analyze driving styles and recommend improvements in four key areas: speed, focus, smoothness and turns with the Autoliv Driver Safety Score software.

Wejo and Waycare will deliver a joint offering to 20 geographies across the United States. Wejo’s data will supplement Waycare’s existing traffic data sources, giving the myriad agencies responsible for the safety of U.S. roadways with a comprehensive understanding of conditions and the ability to not only detect and predict incidents, but also respond faster and more effectively based on real-world, near real-time data in a single platform allowing them all to collaborate.

In April 2021, Fraikin UK has partnered with Samsara to surface real-time data that will help customers improve the safety, efficiency and sustainability of their connected fleets. Samsara’s Connected Operations Platform collects rich data including distance travelled, speed rate, fuel efficiency, diagnostic fault codes and distracted driving indicators. Real-time visibility into this information can transform fleet operations by streamlining billing, reducing vehicle downtime and preventing accidents.

Fleet Management System

SDL solutions are based on a secure cloud infrastructure that allows customers to collect, process, analyze and transmit data on hundreds of thousands of “connected” cars. SDL has developed its own telematics module, theft prevention solutions, a mapping service, scoring systems, a ready to use basic solutions for creating fintech products, a professional fleet management portal, and custom mobile applications for car owners and drivers.

Volvo Trucks North America has introduced route planning and connected technology tools to support customers in successfully deploying Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 models into their fleet operations. The new technologies tools are designed to help customers maximize performance capabilities and benefits of the zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electric model.

ResearchAndMarkets.com study reveals new findings about the market for IoT connectivity management platforms (CMPs), a standard component in the value proposition from mobile operators and IoT MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) around the world. Recent developments in network virtualization, SIM technology and LPWA networking are currently driving the market shift towards a greater diversity of IoT connectivity management services. About 67 percent of the global installed base of 1.74 billion IoT SIMs were managed using commercial connectivity management platforms at the end of 2020. Huawei is the leading IoT CMP vendor in terms of volume with close ties to the domestic operators China Mobile and China Telecom and managed over 900 million IoT SIMs in Q2-2021. Whale Cloud, formerly known as ZTEsoft and partly owned by Alibaba Group since 2018, is the runner-up on the Chinese market.

ZF Bus Connect is a new product that caters to the needs of bus fleet operators. As an advanced fleet management tool, ZF Bus Connect enables public transport or private bus operators to enhance and improve efficiency and performance of their fleets. ZF Bus Connect has also been developed for city buses and coaches with both electric and combustion engines or hybrid systems also in a mixed fleet. The user can check every aspect of the vehicle, including live view of vehicle locations in real-time, observe current energy or fuel consumption, check the status of battery charge or maintain status of the vehicles parts, brake wear and other system messages.

Enterprise Holdings is working with Microsoft to bring connected car technology to Enterprise’s car rental, exotic vehicles and commercial truck rental fleets in the U.S., and soon the U.K. and Canada. Enterprise has already implemented this technology for hundreds of thousands of vehicles with more than 350,000 vehicles to be connected by the end of the year.

ORBCOMM Inc. has launched a wireless Tractor ID sensor, which enables trailer pairing confirmation for better driver and operational efficiency. This latest innovation in ORBCOMM’s smart truck solution focuses on bringing total tractor to trailer intelligence for improved visibility, efficiency, safety and experience for fleets, drivers and their customers.

Otonomo Technologies, Ltd signed an agreement with Mercedes-Benz Connectivity Services. Otonomo will make available fleet data across 25 countries throughout Europe to fleet management companies and operators, such as delivery companies, service providers, car rental companies and others so that they can gain instant access to connected vehicle data and improve their productivity and reduce expenses.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced a tire intelligence solution for cargo van fleets, Goodyear SightLine. Goodyear SightLine will help enable seamless, safe and reliable mobility for all vehicles starting with cargo vans serving the field service, construction and last-mile delivery industries.

Goodyear Sightline uses sensors along with cloud-based algorithms to communicate with fleet operators in real time. Goodyear’s proprietary predictive maintenance technologies can help to address many challenges facing drivers and fleet managers today, including predicting breakdowns, minimizing downtime and monitoring tire pressure and wear for enhanced safety and more cost-efficient mobility.

Spireon completed a technology platform update and rebranding of its franchise dealer solution from Kahu, to LoJack™. The relaunch significantly expands the LoJack offering, bringing proven loT management and service retention tools to dealerships, and connected car features to consumers. In addition, LoJack stolen vehicle recovery coverage is utilizing Spireon’s strong GPS and cellular networks.

Woven Alpha, Inc., Isuzu Motors Limited, and Hino Motors, Ltd. are utilizing the Automated Mapping Platform (AMP) developed by Woven Alpha. AMP provides high-precision data driven maps by utilizing vehicle fleet data and advanced satellite imagery technology. AMP HD Maps includes multiple layers of data-rich information on road curves and topography, as well as road objects such as lanes, road signs, traffic lights and other objects, providing an accurate representation of the road while keeping it updated.

ALD Automotive partnered with Telefónica Tech and Geotab to develop its connected car solution. ALD Automotive plans to deploy the solution in Europe and Latin America starting with 12 countries in 2021. With this solution, ALD Automotive will be able to remotely manage vehicle fleets in real time, plan car maintenance operations and improve the experience for drivers and fleet managers. This solution helps reduce environmental impact through CO2 emissions tracking and more efficient use of fuel.

ALD Automotive has also signed a preferred partnership agreement with Danlaw to benefit from its DataLogger line of OBD-II devices and Bitbrew cloud platform in support of ALD ProFleet. ALD ProFleet, a newly advanced connected car solution, leveraging Vinli’s cloud-connected car and data intelligence platform for smart car data integration and processing, provides fleet managers and drivers access to their real-time connected car data. ALD ProFleet helps facilitate overall fleet management efficiency, optimize fleet utilization, generate savings, improve the driver experience, and contribute to strategic decision making.

General Motors launched Maps+, an in-vehicle, app-based navigation solution, upgrading capabilities for select model year 2018 and newer Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles. Maps+, which is powered by Mapbox, is expected to begin its rollout to approximately 900,000 vehicles on April 30, as part of select Connected Services plans.

Technology

5G/5GNR

While the 5G network for mobile operators is still a work in progress, the pace of deployment and launch is accelerating. By the end of February 2022, according to the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association), 489 operators in 146 countries have been investing in 5G networks in the form of tests, pilots, licence acquisitions, planned and actual deployments. Of those, 209 operators in 83 countries have launched commercial 3GPP-compatible 5G services. Furthermore, the GSA said, 99 operators are identified as investing in 5G standalone for public networks.

The number of cities with 5G networks has increased to 1,662 worldwide, according to the VIAVI Solutions report released on June 2021.

The huge demand for faster speeds and greater connectivity among Asian customers is driving the deployment of 5G networks. However, in terms of bandwidth expansion and 5G implementation, China and the United States are well ahead of other countries.

According to IANS (Indo-Asian News Service) report, one in 4 cars will have 5G connectivity by 2025 that will make better use of real-time data transfer and fast cloud-car communication, among other improvements. The research showed that 4G-enabled cars are reaching maturity in developed countries like the US, China, Germany, and the UK, alongside the entrance of 5G telematics control units (TCUs).

Some of the countries with 5G networks are listed below:

  1. China

China overtook the US in connected car shipments in 2021 and will dominate the market until 2025. According to Counterpoint Market Research, due to better network infrastructure and government support, we will see new models enter the market in 2022 from brands including Chevrolet, Geely, Buick, Ford, and BMW. Furthermore, 5G car models such as the Arcfox Alpha T, Roewe Marvel R, and Great Walls 3rd Gen Haval H6, which were launched in 2020, will continue to gain traction. From 2023 onwards, we will see big players like SAIC and BAIC entering the market.

  • United States

Recently, BMW introduced the first 5G connected cars in the US to feature T-Mobile’s Magenta Drive. The all-new 2022 BMW iX and i4 come 5G ready with unlimited 5G data to turn the car into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and connect all in-car devices, and unlimited voice calling. In this market, T-Mobile recently launched Magenta Drive for BMW cars and this service, US$20 a month. This service is eSIM-connected to an automotive antenna and uses 600 Mhz and 2.5 Ghz frequencies.

  • South Korea

According to market research firms, cars connected to 5G networks are expected to account for 25 percent of all cars in 2025. South Korea is lagging behind in 5G convergence, as other mobile carriers are leading the way in the commercialization of automotive 5G and network slicing.

South Korea was the world’s first country to roll out commercial 5G networks, in 2019, and currently has the highest proportion of the population using 5G—roughly 36%, compared with 21% in China and 16.5% in the U.S.—according to Omdia, a tech-market research firm. According to internet-speed analysis firm Speedcheck, as of 2021, South Korea also ranked No. 1 in 5G download speeds globally, four times faster than Taiwan and around 10 times faster than the U.S.

The self-driving cars, developed by Seoul-based autonomous-driving startups 42dot and SWM, have a “safety driver” on board who mans the wheel when the cars pull over to pick up and drop off passengers, and in designated children’s safety zones, where cars must be hand-steered by law.

The safety driver also can take over in case of an emergency, such as a passenger falling sick and needing to get to a hospital. Passengers sit in the back seat, where they can track the progress of the car on the road on a virtual map in real time.

In December 2021, Samsung Electronics introduced its automotive chip solutions; the Exynos Auto T5123 for 5G connectivity. The Exynos Auto T5123 is a 3GPP Release 15 telematics control unit specially designed to bring fast and seamless 5G connectivity in both standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) modes to the next generation of connected cars. It delivers essential information to the vehicle in real time through high-speed downloads of up to 5.1 gigabits per second (Gbps) and allows passengers to enjoy a host of new services such as high-definition content streaming and video calls on the go.

Trend

The seamless connectivity of vehicles and enable two-way communication to translate a lot of data and exchange the same over a seamless network. Such vehicles not just gather information of self but also of surroundings, other vehicles, and share it through a single network connectivity. If you connect the data storage level of connected vehicles with Cloud infrastructure, it leads to proper storage and utilization. Using this combination, car drivers will get real insights into the vehicle, geographical locations, consumer usage patterns, and environmental changes.

Chamberlain Group has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz AG to add myQ Connected Garage Control to the Mercedes-Benz MBUX infotainment system. myQ, a dynamic technology platform developed by Chamberlain Group, enables cloud based smart access control solutions including the ability to control garage access from a vehicle’s in-dash display or through in-vehicle voice control.

Wejo Limited has unveiled Wejo Studio, a web-based SaaS platform that analyzes data from millions of connected vehicles and translates billions of data points in near real-time into game-changing traffic and journey insights for all business users to leverage. Organizations, from public sector transportation departments to real estate companies to fleet and logistics companies and beyond—can unlock a deeper understanding of mobility trends, enabling them to make smarter decisions faster, innovate and solve problems more effectively.

Sibros showcased its Deep Connected Platform™ during CES. The platform enables OEMs to deliver new connected vehicle services, reduce costly software recalls and leverage real time vehicle data at scale from one vertically integrated vehicle-to-cloud system.

Data Explosion

While enhanced vehicle connectivity has certainly improved the driving experience, connected cars collect, process and generate vast amounts of data. Some commentators are predicting that autonomous cars will create 4,000 gigabytes (GB) of data per day – which is more than 1,400 terabytes (TB) of data per year.

Iteris, Inc. and Wejo have entered into an agreement to deliver enhanced connected vehicle data content to Iteris’ public-sector and commercial customers throughout North America. Under the agreement, Iteris will join Wejo’s partner program to provide real-time movement data to new and existing customers from more than 11 million connected vehicles in North America.

Wejo also entered into a strategic partnership with Microsoft to bring the power of connected vehicle data to the commercial sector and enrich Wejo’s mobility intelligence portfolio. Under the new agreement, Wejo will build its suite of data and intelligence solutions on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. 

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has adopted and published the final version of the Guidelines 01/2020 on the processing of personal data in the context of applications related to connected vehicles and mobility.

These Connected Car Guidelines are addressed to traditional stakeholders in the automotive industry and new players in the digital industry. The guidelines include an additional section with case studies to provide practice-oriented recommendations, such as:

  • defining contractual obligation as a legal basis for the data processing of “Pay-as-you-drive” and “Pay-how-you-drive” usage-based insurance services;
  • for usage-based insurance services, insurance companies should only receive generated numerical scores, not the raw data of the car telematics;
  • defining a contractual obligation as a legal basis for the data processing of rental-parking services;
  • only transmitting data of in-vehicle systems to emergency services and service partners in case of a serious accident, which trigger an emergency eCall to 112 that has been mandatory since 2018;
  • only retaining the data obtained in an eCall to 112 until it is needed for the processing of an emergency situation;
  • using consent as the legal basis for studies or research for which the data subjects voluntarily provide data;
  • using consent as the legal basis for the processing of vehicle location data in the event of a car theft where data subjects wish to find the vehicle.

Market Research

According to the publisher’s Global IoT Market Report, Asia Pacific is projected to be the largest global market for IoT in terms of revenue and connections by 2025. For the in-vehicle infotainment market analysis, Asia Pacific includes China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the rest of Asia Pacific. In addition, factors such as growth in GDP, investment in infrastructure, increase in per capita income, increasing inclination towards comfort and ease and government initiatives for FDI have created more opportunities for advanced infotainment services in Asia Pacific.

The most recent report from the Mercator Advisory Group, Autonomous Vehicles, Connected Vehicles, and Their Impact on Payments, finds that autonomous vehicles are a rapidly evolving category that includes pilot programs, small-scale deployments, and implementations in the U.S. and the world.

While much of the AV publicity is related to fully automated self-driving cars moving people in cities, the reality is that the most advanced tests and implementations are happening in the areas of moving packages and food rather than people (zero-occupant) and moving along predefined paths rather than flexible routes.

Walmart has been testing self-driving truck and drone deliveries. Amazon is making deliveries with its autonomous robot, Scout. Uber recently spun out the Postmates X robotics unit called Serve Robotics, which is making deliveries in Southern California. Autonomous vehicles will have a major impact on the payments ecosystem.

Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis, Global Connected Cars Outlook, 2021, finds that COVID-19 has unlocked massive opportunities for the connected cars industry due to the significant increase in technology implementation in this space. Demand for innovative features such as bio-based health monitoring and non-touch-based haptics such as gesture recognition has increased due to the urgent need for driver protection and risk aversion. In 2021, the global sales of new vehicles with connectivity features are estimated to reach 50 million units after an 8% dip in sales in 2020. This study includes insights on key connected car and auto IoT (Internet of Things) trends, the need for EV services, regional predictions across the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, Latin America, and more.

Insurance

Connected cars have data and tracking capabilities that can help insurers in developing accurate pricing strategies based on consumer driving behaviour. The data collected by connected cars can also help insurers in streamlining the claims process and provide cost savings.

LexisNexis® Risk Solutions and Ford Motor Company entered into an agreement so that Ford connected vehicle data can be available to U.S. auto insurers via the LexisNexis® Telematics Exchange. Ford and Lincoln customers with an eligible 2020 model year or newer vehicle can opt in to participate in usage-based insurance (UBI) programs, which has the potential to save customers money through more personalized insurance offerings.

NXP Semiconductors N.V. and MOTER Technologies, Inc. announced a secure data exchange platform that links deep data from connected vehicles to the insurance industry to power data science solutions for risk assessment, cost modeling, and more. The platform combines NXP’s S32G2 vehicle network processors, offering a new type of vehicle edge compute with the ability to access vehicle-wide data, with MOTER data analytics software to help fully monetize vehicle data for new and improved automotive insurance services.

CVM

Next.e.GO Mobile SE announced the release of its much anticipated e.GO Connect app contemporaneous with celebrating production of the 1000th e.GO Life at Aachen micro-factory. e.GO Connect is available to iOS as well as Android users and can be downloaded from App Store and Google Play. The program has been commenced and vehicles will be connected to the e.GO platform gradually.

MG Motor India offers over 75 plus connected car features under the Car-as-a-platform subscription model. These features will work in conjunction with Map My India, Jio, Park Plus and Shortpedia. The connected features will include the regular suite of geo-fencing, vehicle diagnostics, remote lock/unlock, remote start/stop, and operations via voice commands.

LiveOne announced the launch of LiveXLive on Google’s Android Automotive platform. LiveOne’s patented technologies and music and podcast services are now available for download in-dash from Google Play as a native Android Automotive application.

Next_e_GO_Mobile

Android Automotive is a full-stack, open source, highly customizable software platform powering the vehicle’s numerous safety, environmental, and infotainment systems, enabling implementers to differentiate and tailor the content experience specific to a brand’s identity. Android Automotive continues to be widely adopted by almost all major automotive OEMs, including Ford, GMC, Dodge, Chrysler, Volvo, Polestar, Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Nissan, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi and others.

Daimler Trucks North America, in collaboration with Platform Science, announced the launch of Virtual Vehicle™, the open OEM platform that enables fleets to access telematics, software solutions, real-time vehicle data, and third-party applications directly from their vehicles. In addition, the platform provides the tools to manage those applications, connectivity, and the mobile devices drivers need to use them. Virtual Vehicle represents a platform-first approach that delivers greater value to customers and offers a vastly expanded choice of software-enabled services.

The Smart Driving Laboratory has introduced an automated system to update and personalize the Connected Car cartographic resources of the Smart Driving Platform. Maps will be updated on a weekly basis, primarily where customers’ vehicles are operating keeping in mind their wishes and actions. The new update mode is available for mapping coverage of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Brazil. For the operation of the system, a “live” update model has been created, in which data from hundreds of sources on changes in the road network, speed limits, traffic signs, address database and infrastructure objects are linked to the real movements of “connected” transport.

NI has announced its latest product advancements designed to fuel innovation in the production process — from testing and validation to R&D and design. NI and Seagate Technology Holdings announced a new collaboration to enhance data storage services, including a first-of-its-kind advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) record offering.

Sirius XM Connected Vehicle Services Inc. launched service in Mexico through NissanConnect® Services powered by SiriusXM. NissanConnect® Services-equipped vehicles come with a six-month trial subscription to SiriusXM Connected Vehicle’s Premium service and buyers will have access to features including:

  • Automatic Collision Notification
  • Emergency Call
  • Connection to Roadside Assistance
  • Destination Assistance
  • My Car Finder
  • Nissan Concierge
  • Stolen Vehicle Locator
  • Remote Engine Start/Stop
  • Valet Alert

India

Pricol Limited announced partnership with Sibros Technologies to deliver deep connected vehicle solutions in the domestic and ASEAN markets.

Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis of the Indian Human Machine Interface (HMI) Industry reveals that consumer demand for comfort, safety, and security in their cars contributes to the growth of the Indian HMI market. The growth in demand for advanced connected features in vehicles from the country’s growing tech-savvy population will further fuel the development of larger and feature-loaded HMI systems. Consequently, the Indian HMI market is projected to grow from $980 million in 2020 to $1.67 billion by 2027.

Sibros announced that Bajaj Auto has deployed its Deep Connected Platform™ to power the company’s flagship Chetak electric scooter fleet. Sibros’ embedded and cloud products provide Chetak electric scooters with secure OTA software and firmware updates, as well as rich vehicle-to-cloud data insights for all embedded sensors, EV battery analytics and diagnostics. Sibros’ API-driven integration has connected its platform to the back-end enterprise and dealer management systems to automate software and data management workflows including its future scalability.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited launched an AI-based 24×7 virtual car assistant app, called “S-Assist” for its NEXA customers. The scan and voice-enabled virtual car assistant, S-Assist, optimizes the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide customers with an immersive online post-purchase experience.

Maruti_Suzuki_India

MG Motor India has partnered with Jio for internet of things (IoT) solution. The automotive company will provide seamless integration of IT systems enabled by Jio’s IoT solution in its upcoming mid-size SUV MG Astor. Customers of MG Astor will benefit from Jio’s widespread internet outreach, along with the connectivity, not only in metros but also in small towns and rural areas. Jio’s new-age connected vehicle solution is a combination of hardware, software and connectivity that enable users to access trending infotainment and real-time telematics on the go.

Bharti Airtel, India’s announced a collaboration with Intel for 5G network development by leveraging vRAN / O-RAN technologies. The collaboration is part of Airtel’s 5G roadmap for India as it transforms its networks to allow its customers to take advantage of the full potential of a hyper-connected world where Industry 4.0 to cloud gaming and virtual / augmented reality become an everyday experience.

India’s connected car market is expected to grow by over 20% in the next few years. All luxury and premium car OEMs in India offer connected services across all models, but the services offered by OEMs vary as they produce for the mass market. The availability of connected services in various non-luxury, non-premium OEMs ranges between 20-70% (as a proportion of cars sold where TCU-/dongle-based connected services are an option). Since the Indian market is highly price-conscious, many OEMs offer free connected services for up to three years.

While there exist huge revenue-generating opportunities related to connected services, research shows that customers are still not ready to pay for connected services provided by OEMs. For example, a Capgemini study shows that 44% of customers do not have connected services in their vehicles. And of those who have, only 51% use them.

An analysis of customer feedback from India indicates that price perception and quality of connected services varies among OEMs – the more premium the OEM, the better are the connected services; but the more the mass-market outreach, the poorer is the value and quality perception.

Author:

Richa Tyagi

Editorial Team Member

Telematics Wire

Published in Telematics Wire

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