TECHNOLOGY FOR CHANGE

Smartphone Apps Mobilizing Vehicle Telematics

R. Colin Johnson | Date: 01-28-11 | Comments

Automobiles are adding smartphone apps to vehicle telematics systems that use wireless connectivity to access, control and manage all on-board systems.

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Smartphone Apps Mobilizing Vehicle Telematics - MyLink App Gives Real-Time Access to Vehicle Functions

OnStar already offers iPhone, Android and BlackBerry smartphone users its MyLink app, which gives real-time access to vehicle functions, from activating horn and lights (to locate your vehicle in a parking lot) to asking for roadside assistance. You can also view real-time reports on fuel range, gallons of gas remaining, average miles per gallon, current mileage, remaining oil life and current tire pressure. For buyers of Chevrolet's new electric hybrid Volt, the app also allows users to remotely control the vehicles charging.

New smartphone apps from third-party developers are also appearing for everything from infotainment (music/video) to driver behavior monitoring (such as drowsy alarms). Many of these apps will also be integrated with the existing on-board telematics systems�such as Apple's iPod Out and Nokia's Terminal Mode�allowing users to display and control smartphone information on a vehicle's displays. In this way, drivers do not divert their eyes from the dashboard.

OnStar's MyLink app allows smartphone users to access on-board systems, here showing the charge of a Chevy Volt and the gasoline left in a Chevy Cruze.

And an increasing number of new stand-alone apps will also be connected directly to the vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) bus that can monitor all vehicle functions. As a result, third-party app developers will offer innovative and inexpensive at-the-wheel connectivity features, pioneering lucrative business opportunities for independent mobile app developers, according to ABI Research.