Internet of Things Technology for Connected Cars

  • By Konstantin Demishev
  • 13-08-2020
  • Internet of Things
iot in car

The history of connected cars began in 1996 when General Motors introduced Onstar, the first wireless, in-car driver assistance system. The automotive industry has transformed dramatically since then, and connected car technology advances have become the driver for the creation of a new connected vehicle ecosystem.

This has created new opportunities for both automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and vendors of aftermarket hardware, software, and services. The globally connected car market is projected to reach $225 billion by 2025.

Archer Software, company for which I work, is a recognized provider of embedded software solutions for connected cars with a broad base of expertise in developing mobile applications for Android and iOS, including geolocation and geopositioning services. Therefore, below you will find detailed explanations of this issue.

What does a connected car mean?
The term connected car means that a vehicle is equipped with Internet access and is connected to services outside the car. Connected cars interact with other vehicles and an entire ecosystem of connected transportation infrastructure. This opens up opportunities for the companies working in fields such as parking lot management, mobile apps for connected and autonomous cars, infotainment, diagnostic apps and scanners, automated driving, connected cloud services, and connected fleets, as well as other areas that deal with autos.

Connected cars are a central component of the IoT in the auto industry, and this opens up a large new market for mobile apps that interface with a vehicle’s infotainment and telematics systems, and for apps that run on OEM platforms. Software companies can provide the automotive industry with an updated solution to manage and maintain the integrity of the embedded systems and to collect data for the lifespan of the vehicle, including pre- and post-production.

How can connected cars help you?
Today’s connected car can already do a lot: they can help with daily routines or, for instance, even entertain you. For example, they can help you:
●    search for the spots you want to visit,
●    create route directions,
●    provide roadside assistance,
●    access email and phone,
●    perform self-diagnostics,
●    remind you about necessary maintenance,
●    tell you where you parked,
●    send you a message about traffic and accidents.

Internet of Things enables connected cars to stay in continual, real-time communication with the surrounding connected ecosystem. Electronically advanced vehicles are in high demand and car shoppers are open to seeing more connected services by software vendors.

What are the new features of connected cars?
Modern cars are embedded with plenty of electronic systems that can be customized including tire pressure monitors, wireless hotspots, Bluetooth connections, Internet access, and mobile hotspots.
●    Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V technology enables vehicles to wirelessly exchange information about speed and location helping crash avoidance.
●    Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology is very much like V2V, but it allows road infrastructure communication with cars and sends data about road accidents or traffic jams ahead for example.

Connected cars also provide new opportunities for self-diagnostics using the well-known OBD-II connection. It allows access to vehicle diagnostic trouble codes but also monitors road conditions, speed, acceleration, and location, which can be used to make a connected car safer and avoid accidents. The ability to monitor vehicles and provide this type of feedback to drivers goes beyond the familiar cameras or vehicle blind-spot sensors.

Automation and focused technology solutions within the increasingly complex IoT and connected car market offer business possibilities which should not be missed. This market is still emerging, and we think there are plenty of new niches and products to come in a few years.

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Author

Konstantin Demishev

Konstantin Demishev is a product manager at Archer Software. Experienced technical manager and consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and service industry. Skilled in product development following LEAN and AGILE philosophy.
 

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