Car-to-x communication aims at road safety. Connected cars exchange important information in a split second. This prevents collisions. Communication between vehicle, traffic signs and traffic lights can neutralise any inattention of the driver. But acceptance among customers is not unlimited. Critics believe that in view of car-to-x communication, greater safety in road traffic comes at the expense of the loss or at least the threat of data security. Also the predominant use of car-to-x communication in high-priced vehicles makes it difficult for a broad group of buyers to accept it.
On the other hand, Services for Connected Cars provide car buyers with long overdue options. In future, they will no longer depend on a given configuration. In fact, many networked models can already be upgraded individually and easily at any time, their features can be changed at will and adapted to personal requirements. This is made possible by networking with the World Wide Web, making the Connected Car a transmitter and receiver.
Special requests “on demand” thanks to Services for Connected Cars
This does not sound so new, as every new car registered in the EU has been equipped with the eCall automatic emergency call system since 1 April 2018 and is therefore already connected to the network. Conversely for a long time, built-in navigation devices have been receiving the necessary GPS data via satellite. But the new generation of cars, such as the one of the premium OEM Audi, has an “on-demand” offer, which allows for special equipment to be updated in eight different model series over the entire life cycle of a connected car service. In the best case even wireless “over the air”. The market is fiercely contested among the providers, because customers are demanding. Anyone born into a digital world with the convenience of smart services expects more from a car than just the ability to get quickly from A to B. This also includes security aspects, such as displays on the vehicle status or aggregated hazard alerts thanks to car-to-x communication.
Services for Connected Cars turns metal boxes into a cinema and club
The American newcomer Tesla is still the lightest moving through the still largely undiscovered new territory of the Connected Cars. For almost 20 years now, in his car and parts development, the innovative manufacturer has been relying more on IT specialists than on classic engineers. It goes without saying that Tesla integrates music and video streaming services such as YouTube and Netflix in its networked vehicles. With regard to security, the video services currently are only to be available when the car is parked. However, it is hardly surprising that Tesla is already developing far-reaching visions of autonomous driving in Connected Cars and the corresponding services.
Daimler also wants to make dreams of “in-car gaming” come true. In the year 2019 at the IAA Frankfurt and at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, for example, the company presented a CLA Coupé with infotainment as a game console.
Networking enables continuous updates
In Germany, vehicle manufacturers are working with high pressure on the smart offer in the Connected Car and are chasing each other down trophies. Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) is the second generation of networked vehicles from the Stuttgart company. The networked new S Class attracts considerable attention with its 12.8-inch display in the centre console. The user interface in tablet form facilitates operation, while the driver’s display optionally creates an impression of depth in an apparently three-dimensional space thanks to two eye-tracking cameras. Both the driver display and the entire infotainment system can receive updates as required, as can individual lighting and driver assistance systems. And the new S-Class offers users of streaming services such as Spotify, TIDAL or Amazon Music direct access without the need for a docked smartphone. In this way, the Stuttgart car manufacturers are following up on the “Connected Package Professional” already practised by BMW, which includes Connected Music. Since the beginning of this year, BMW has also added Spotify to its range via Napster and Deezer.
Even in parked condition a car is now useful
But Services for Connected Cars brings another advantage. With “In-Car-Delivery”, a networked vehicle can, for example accommodate parcels and mail deliveries. The courier receives a unique smart access code to the vehicle, places the delivery in it and then locks it by remote command. So even the parked vehicle now serves a purpose.
We at magility will be happy to answer any further questions on this topic. Digitalisation is advancing at a rapid pace, especially now in the Corona crisis, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming an enabler for new innovative business models. Not only in the automotive industry, but also in other industries, almost everything will be networked and communicate in the future. Especially now it is important for companies to set the right path internally for this networked future. Contact us, we will gladly help you!
