Vehicle Telematics: What the Future Holds!

Digital technology isn't just reshaping smartphones, homes, and businesses, but also something we depend on everyday-our automobiles. Our cars and the internet will be so closely intertwined, so as to simplify vehicle-to-vehicle as well as vehicle-to-traffic-network communications. Vehicle telematics combine instrumentation, advanced communication technology and software, in order to make management of remote drivers and 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.

We spend a significant part of our time in our cars and we want them to be as connected as everything else in our lives-entertainment, information, and an integrated experience at our fingertips, is becoming the norm. Designers and engineers must stay on the cutting edge to deliver new features and technology capable of meeting the demands of tomorrow's consumers. 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. This communication would allow cars to broadcast their direction and speed. This will help minimize the number and severity of car accidents. Sometimes V2V warnings could lead to a car taking action, like braking to avoid a collision. Aside from safety, this system can help cars communicate with signs and street lights. Cars could alert drivers that they are approaching a school zone or a red light. In the future, this technology could even be used in cell phones to warn pedestrians of approaching vehicles.

The cloud is also playing a role in car connectivity. Many car systems connect to the cloud via 3G or Wi-Fi, which allows passengers to access audio streaming, social media, and a variety of other apps. About 15% of American households will have vehicles with connected communications in 2012, and this figure will increase drastically with time. This sort of technology is becoming important to consumers, especially younger buyers, so it's important to keep up with the trend.

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, and while it's just a concept, it can show what is to come for automobiles. With this dashboard technology, passengers could watch YouTube videos, use Yelp and other apps, access text notifications about car-related issues and location-filtered restaurant recommendations.

Some internet connectivity examples are very near on the horizon. The new Mercedes GL will have screens on the back of the passenger's and driver's seat that will allow those sitting in the back to access social media. Lexus vehicles have apps displayed in the center of their dashboards, but they'll be limited to what they can access for safety purposes. Storefronts will also be open.

In addition to application access, cars will most likely have more advanced navigation services. Audi is currently working on this technology, considering what role a vehicle will play as ‘navigator'. Other Audi features will tie back to connectivity and allow navigation systems to be futuristic. For example, they can offer lane-departure sensing, technology that protects passengers in an accident, alerts for when another car is in a blind spot, etc.

Innovative HMIs

Human Machine Interface will improve the future driving experience by giving the driver a lot more control over car systems. For example, 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 their HMI with gesture controls. This would allow both the driver and passengers to access controls.

Improved Safety Controls

With this kind of advancement in technology, the safety features for automobiles is not being left behind. Telematics will improve car safety in 2 ways-accident avoidance and accident detection and recovery. Car manufacturers can add accident avoidance and detection features using this technology. Accident detection is also improved, meaning there's less time between when an accident occurs and when emergency personnel are sent to the scene. GM OnStar is an example.

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 in making up a ‘sensor fusion'. Features will include intelligent brake assist, automatic collision preparation, adaptive cruise control, and heads-up display. This ‘sensor fusion' will combine multiple inputs to help drivers avoid accidents with warning and control capabilities. This is a step towards bringing automatic cars to the market.

Improved Remote Maintenance

As software becomes more prevalent in cars, a need to update the software has grown. This can be done using firmware over-the-air (FOTA) technology. This will become standard and allow for continual software add-ons and upgrades. Software work can be done remotely and safely, as the newest versions of FOTA allow for updates to be made while the car's system 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.

The remote diagnostics allowed for by telematics will enable manufacturers to reset an electronic process in the car, run apps to identify and correct issues, and organize for necessary alerts and repairs. GM OnStar is a popular example of remote vehicle diagnostics. Monthly reports about vehicle usage and maintenance can be channeled through GM OnStar.

Conclusion

Some of the automobile industry's current concepts and technologies are only a glimpse of what is to come. The ‘wheels of tomorrow' will be safer, more connected, and more intelligent across vehicles, infrastructure, and services. See you in the fast lane!