The automotive industry is without a doubt one of the fastest-growing markets as far as Internet of Things (IoT) based solutions are concerned. The IoT has, in fact, been embraced to such an extent by motor vehicle manufacturers that more than 250 million cars are expected to be connected by 2020. While the day that only driverless cars filled with safe and happy passengers are roaming the roads is still in the distant future, IoT is fast making headway in various sectors of the automotive industry. At present, manufacturers are focussing their IoT-based efforts on features ranging from increased safety and the prevention of expensive repairs to improved after-sales service in order to make car ownership not only safer but more enjoyable as well.
Innovative Safety Features
Everyone craves increased safety
At present, new-model vehicles make use of innovative safety features such as collision protection, emergency assistance, and automatic braking. As IoT technology advances, so too will the safety features found in cars. Even just finding your car in a packed parking lot can be made significantly easier thanks to IoT. One company that is already making use of IoT-enabled vehicle safety measures is the Massachusetts-based LoJack Corporation. The corporation’s live tracking features have the ability to help recover stolen vehicles thanks to a device that emits a signal that can be detected by close-range police vehicles. The extent to which IoT can make our driving experiences safer is limited only by the amount of trust car owners will place in these technologies.
IoT-Powered Predictive Maintenance
Avert costly repairs where possible
Expensive vehicle repairs can be avoided by making use of IoT-powered predictive maintenance tools. These IoT tools not only collects data pertaining to various parts of the vehicle but also transmits it to the cloud in real-time while gauging the potential risk areas in a car’s hardware and software that can lead to malfunction. After all the relevant data is processed, the driver will be notified of any concerns and advised to what services and repairs are needed to avoid any conceivable incidents. In-vehicle monitoring of systems such as the battery, starter motor, and fuel pump will result in real-time notifications sent via text message, email, in-vehicle alerts, or remote link. This IoT technology works similarly to the OBDII scanners that have been used for the early detection of automotive problems for more than two decades and will undoubtedly transform the future vehicle diagnostics.
Predictive maintenance technology is closely linked with machine learning algorithms. These algorithms are remarkably effective at monitoring things such as battery life. Here’s how it works:
- An in-car monitoring system checks the battery status
- Data is transferred to the cloud
- A machine learning algorithm predicts whether the battery will run low
- The system processes all inputs and prepares advice for the driver
- A notification system sends a message to the driver warning them about low battery charge
The game-changing impacts of IoT on the automotive industry are extremely vivid and powerful. IoT-based solutions lie at the core of predictive maintenance technology that will help us forget about unplanned stops and malfunctions while driving.
Improved Warehouse Productivity
Improved customer satisfaction is always a bonus
IoT is not only shaping the future of the cars we drive but of the aftermarket sector as well. Manufacturers can effectually make use of a vehicle’s on-board IoT connectivity to track various defects in the car while simultaneously maximizing dependability. This tracking can be done via the same onboard diagnostic systems that alert a driver of potential problems in the vehicle. In the not-too-distant future, Next-Generation Vehicles (NXGV) will possess the capabilities that will allow original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to deliver regular software upgrades directly to a vehicle without the need for the vehicle to be brought in to the dealership or workshop.
By 2020 there will be more than 20 billion IoT devices in use. Automotive companies and related businesses can no longer afford to ignore the significance of IoT for automotive development.
The IoT has infiltrated just about every part of our existence, including our vehicles. At the rate at which new technological advances are being discovered, there is no telling to what exact extent the Internet of Things will change the automotive industry in the future.
Going Forward, What’s Next?
Connected Cars Will Offer the Biggest Opportunity for 5G IoT in the Long Term
In 2023, the automotive industry will become the largest market opportunity for 5G IoT solutions. It will represent 53% of the overall 5G IoT endpoint opportunity in that year.
This blog post was contributed by Jackie Edwards.
