The Connected Car is one of the fastest growing segment within the M2M market. Its growth is fueled partly by the 'pairing' technology that allows smartphones to be paired with the car's digital platform, enabling applications on the smartphone to be 'mirrored' onto the car's touchscreen, while the navigation of the touchscreen is facilitated not only by touching the screen, but by using the easy-to-reach knobs, buttons and levers placed strategically within the driver's reach.
While those in the Connected Car space see the adoption of the technology becoming more widespread by the day, there are a large number of consumers out there without a clue about the Connected Car. Waggener Edstrom Communications, a global, integrated communications agency has recently published a study, highlighting that 70% of people surveyed have not heard about the connected car. A staggering 70% and 81% of them have not heard about the 'autonomous car' or the 'internet of things' either. These responses come from a group within which 90% own a technology device such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer and 65% say that they are comfortable with using computers. Despite this level of tech-savviness, the Connected Car concept and the related ideas are still very new for the group.
The study results, however, pointed out to the keenness among users to have access to a number of apps-based services in their vehicles. Among the applications that they showed strong interest on are apps that check traffic congestion (voted for by 46% of the respondents), vehicle location tracking (44%), toll payment facilitation (42%), finding parking space (41%) and accessing fuel information (40%). Waggener emphasized the need for more aggressive marketing and outreach activities to bring the 'Connected Car' idea to a large number of potential customers whose driving experience will be greatly enhanced via access to advanced telematics and infotainment services brought about by a wide range of technologies and connections, including the in-built 4G connectivity that is being offered by an increasing number of auto-makers across their newer car models.
