Research shows that consumers want connected car technology, however, the car industry is struggling with issues associated with deployment.
In-vehicle technology/connected car tech was an important factor when buying a new vehicle within the past year for more 59% online U.S. consumers of driving age, according to research from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).
Many in-dash head units disable certain functions while the car is in motion such as playing DVDs in dash. There are alternatives to insure driver safety but allows the passenger to do more difficult tasks.
An new bill from Senator Bill Morning (D-Carmel) measure, SB 994 which defines who has car data access, gives control and choice to drivers. It will be considered by a Senate policy committee in the next few weeks. The bill is supported by the AAA and Your Car Your Data Coalition.
There were many speakers and products at Automotive World Megatrends in Dearborn, Michigan.
Meredith Guerriero, world chief automotive for Google, was the closing keynote speaker who discussed Google’s role in the digital future of advertising in connected cars.
There are not many EV cars such as the Toyota Prius EV that can be charged wirelessly, yet, however a new report for WinterGreen Research shows lots of wireless charging pads landing for cars in the next few years, to the tune of $4.6 Billion in 2019.
Worldwide wireless car charging markets should achieve significant growth, notes the report.
The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe will come with OnStar 4G LTE and CUE apps and will be the most connected Cadillac to date. Soon all new model Cadillacs with have connected car technology.
There are a lot of questions raised in Covisint’s study on auto-owners and engagement. Covisint provided the platform for the Hyudai BlueLink system that connects to Google Glass and has Siri Eyes Free.
The study shows that the overall impression of the car maker improves with a great connected car experience over the life of the car and car owner.
Nissan has pledged to offer robotic, autonomous vehicles by 2020. Driver-less Nissan Leaf test vehicles are being tested under many conditions.
Nissan tests vehicles in a dedicated autonomous driving city in Japan. The track has real houses for life-like self-driven car testing without using public roads for maximum safety.
Toyota’s electric cars are charging into the future with a new way of charging provided by WiTricity that allows batteries to be charged over a distance.
Instead of plugging a cord into the car, the car is parked over the wireless charging system and is automatically charged.
While car makers continue to expand the size of head unit screens, Android smartphone users have another option, a completely voice-powered DriveSync connected car Android
There were several visionary aspects of the future of connected cars explored at SXSW during the “Internet of Cars” panel on Friday, March 9, 2014.
The Audi A3 will have some new technology innovations that include AT&T LTE, picture mapping, special software and cell phone signal boost.
We finally have pricing for the AT&T LTE service in Audi A3 cars, owners can pay $99.99 for 5GB for a six month period or pay $499 for 30GB over a period thirty months. All new Audi A3 autos with Audi connect will receive a free six month trial of LTE service.
The fee works out to be $16.50 a month for the six month plan and $16.63 a month for the thirty month plan. (Obviously the place that called the $499 plan the best value was incorrect).