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The connected cars and concept car designs gaining traction in the market are refined, more ergonomic, and incredibly futuristic, which leaves you thinking if they are aesthetically brilliant or just plain dumb. Traditionally, cars were sought after based on their horsepower and luxury.
FREMONT, CA: Car manufacturers are undergoing rapid transformation, rolling out cars with awe-inspiring technologies that seem to be right out of the future. The connected cars and concept car designs gaining traction in the market are refined, more ergonomic, and incredibly futuristic, which leaves you thinking if they are aesthetically brilliant or just plain dumb. Traditionally, cars were sought after based on their horsepower and luxury. However, customers today are looking for a more connected experience.
Internet Connectivity in Cars
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General Motors, in 1997, introduced the first telematics system by launching OnStar. Consumers today want connected cars with OnStar as a standard feature for providing 4G LTE WiFi. It is estimated that 90 percent of the new vehicles will be connected to the internet by the end of 2020. Consumers want the car to act as a digital hotspot, which provides access to the internet on mobile and other devices.
App to Car Connectivity
Smartphone technology has excelled over the last few years, and benefits of the same can be seen in cars, with smartphone apps providing easy access to vehicles. One example is the Ford Escape, under which consumers can take up a three to five-year subscription of SYNC, an app that provides connectivity between car and user. Consumers can lock and unlock their cars using the app, and can also check their fuel status and check their vehicle location using real-time maps.
Protecting Young Drivers with Curfews
The accident rates among young drivers are alarmingly high, and connected cars offer a solution to this problem. Hyundai has manufactured a curfew and geofence service, wherein parents are informed if their children are driving beyond the permitted hours or if the child is driving beyond a virtual boundary. Parents can track the exact location of their child and also know how long they have been behind the wheel.
Google Earth Enabled Navigation System
Navigation systems are not novel to connected cars. However, with new technologies in place, users can navigate, check real-time traffic, and compare the prices of nearby gas stations.
See also: Top Automotive Technology Companies
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