Are you leveraging your car’s app to pre-cool the cabin on scorching days, lock the doors from bed, or enable automatic emergency calls when the airbags deploy? Embrace the world of connected cars and enjoy the convenience of cloud-based features that keep evolving.
In today’s fast-paced digital era, traditional clocks are fading away. Soon, you might find yourself behind the wheel of a vehicle lacking many of the beloved features you use today.
Our Love Affair with Cloud Connectivity
Since the 1990s, cloud-based “Connected Services” have transformed the automotive landscape, allowing vehicles to interact with external systems for enhanced driver and passenger experiences. General Motors led the way with OnStar, integrating voice-driven capabilities, while modern iterations are fully data-driven and cloud-hosted, featuring advanced wireless data connections that significantly enhance functionality.
Today, nearly every major automotive brand offers a version of cloud-based telematics or connected services. These systems are intricately embedded and serve as the foundation of contemporary vehicle connectivity, enabling over-the-air (OTA) updates and app-based services for vehicle owners. With GM’s OnStar celebrating over 30 years of innovation, numerous other companies like HondaLink, Lexus Enform, FordPass, BMW ConnectedDrive, Volvo On Call, and Porsche Connect are also stepping into the spotlight.
While each service boasts catchy names, they share functional similarities and provide a comparable range of features. Standard offerings typically include remote lock/start, vehicle status updates, maintenance notifications, location tracking, and emergency assistance. Premium features may consist of in-car Wi-Fi hotspots, cabin temperature preconditioning, stolen vehicle tracking, and concierge services for owners.
BMW’s service is called ConnectedDrive.
Credit: BMW
As consumers increasingly value remote capabilities, automakers recognize a willingness to invest in these conveniences. After an initial bundled “free trial” when purchasing a new vehicle, manufacturers typically offer connected services through a subscription-based model.
Source: arstechnica.com