Daniela Rus also believes that the cars of the future will be able to do a lot more than just self-drive; they’ll be able to understand how you’re feeling by listening to your voice, or route you to the nearest store when you run out of milk. Peggy Johnson, executive vice president of business development for Microsoft, said the technology found in cars should empower people to be more productive.
The term “connected” has been widely used in other industries for quite some time. In healthcare, for example, the term “connected health” is employed to describe a method of using technology to deliver healthcare remotely. Think of telemedicine or the ability to manage medical conditions via mobile devices.
Connected cars have a similar foundation and purpose. These cars are equipped with technology, such as an internet connection, that enables them to interact with other devices, whether those devices are mobile phones, other vehicles, or even infrastructure elements. Intelligent vehicles have the ability to push data to and from devices to maximize the driver’s experience and the car’s potential. According to a published report by IoT market research firm ON World, by 2025 there will be 300 million connected cars, up from 37 million in 2016.
Audi connect, Mercedes-Benz mbrace, and Volvo’s Sensus Connect are examples of connected car systems that use new technology to deliver the ultimate consumer experience. Although Sensus Connect offers many features, two that stand out are Volvo On Call and Skype. Volvo On Call enables you to remotely start your car (and remotely control the climate), while Skype for Business allows you to join meetings during your drive without having to fumble with your phone. Volvo is the first car maker to leverage Skype. Google, Apple, INRIX, Openbay, Garmin, and Sober Steering are examples of companies that are pioneering new connected car technologies.
In a new guide, we explore the industry’s interest in and movement toward autonomous and connected cars. You can download it here.
