Connected Car Q&A

 Everyday, I work on connected car data projects.

Lately few people repeatedly keep asking what it means. So I put brief Q&A. 

Something I am sharing. (small slice but hoping this is useful)

What is connected Car?

    A car with have access to the Internet and communicate with traditional automotive components, such as the engine and electronics, as well as the smart devices of a driver. All via telematics* system.

What type of car data are talking and how it is useful to a driver or vehicle owner or auto maker or 3ed party?

the most common use of car data is to improve the driving experience by collect the data about driver behavior events i.e., from ignition on to ignition off. This data improves following experiences for the driver.

·        Finding fuel location/battery charging station as needed

·        Local business searches and promotions

·        Journey route weather/traffic updates

·        Real-time data communications about any emergency situations (flat tire etc.), crash etc

·        Location sharing, fast theft response

·        Insurance discounts based on good driving behaviors/usage-based discounts

For vehicle manufactures

a)      Data helps to measure the performance/reliability of the vehicles. Data helps to pinpoint about unforeseen issue(s) with new & old vehicles. Data helps voluntary recall vehicles for specific issues.

b)     Data helps to catch fraudulent warranty clams/odo tampering issues

c)      Various service offering such as oil changes, end of brake pad changes etc.

d)     Offering customer services for example geo fence boundaries for family of drivers. With Teen drivers.

           For 3ed party companies:

     Vehicle location data helps in forecasting about live traffic conditions

    3ed parity insurance providers to offers discounts based on driving behaviors, usage.

      Automatic pothole information improves the road conditions

      Near real time weather data to forecast real time weather

 

Usually Telematic* systems are integrated with Satellite navigation systems and onboard computers and back office systems. Not only data collections, back office controls and refreshes the software inside cars too via over the air updates.