The Internet of Things, or IoT. It’s a term that we hear often these days from automotive engineers and industry professionals. And while it sounds a bit mysterious and maybe even mildly intimidating, IoT isn’t exactly rocket science. What it is, simply, is a network of physical devices (for example, smartphones, smart TVs, smart watches and, yes, the modern day automobile) with embedded sensors that can collect data, and Internet connectivity for receiving and transmitting data in various digital formats. So what exactly is IoT in the automotive context, and why are engineers saying that it will completely revolutionise the way cars are built, and the ways in which people interact with their cars? Let’s find out.
SETTING THE CONTEXT
According to a recent report published by IBM, more than 200 mn cars already feature Internet connectivity in some way or the other (be it for navigation, infotainment, diagnostics and/or other factors), and that by the year 2020, cars will be the number one Web-connected application.
There will be two sides to the development spurred by IoT. At the car user’s end, consumers will benefit from connected, always-online infotainment and navigation systems based on open standards that support a range of industry protocols (so that your Hyundai can ‘speak’ to your friend’s Toyota, and share data seamlessly…), and will also be able to use cloud-based services provided by third parties, via seamless integration.
The impact of IoT will be even bigger at the automotive OEMs’ end, where the Internet of Things will enable manufacturers to carry out extensive customer profiling, implement tightly-focused digital marketing campaigns, provide vehicle tracking and security services, monitor powertrain performance, remotely run diagnostics tools and provide software updates when required, and in the case of high-end luxury vehicles, even provide concierge services. IoT will also have an important role to play in fleet management operations for service providers like Uber and Ola, and when the time comes, also in the area of autonomous driving, which will rely heavily on online, realtime access to road and traffic data for navigation. And finally, even as many industry experts reckon that individual car ownership will decline over the next decade and more, and car sharing will become the norm, it’s once again IoT that will be a key enabler in this regard.
TENTATIVE FIRST STEPS
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