From fleet management and telematics to infotainment systems and distracted driving solutions, automotive is one of the top revenue-generating markets in the Internet of Things. Forrester predicts the number of vehicles shipped worldwide with embedded connectivity will grow from 5.4 million in 2012 to 36 million in 2018 – a number that is already evident in automakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota and more. Hyundai is the latest automaker making noise in the connected car market with the announcement that Verizon Wireless is providing connected services for Hyundai’s telematics service. Verizon will offer safety, security, diagnostics and infotainment in 2015 models, starting with the Genesis sedan, as well as Kia vehicles.
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"Our agreement with Hyundai expands our long-standing collaboration with a wide range of auto manufacturers throughout the industry to support network engineering, security, cloud solutions, telematics platform, and program management for millions of vehicles in the U.S. and around the world," said Mark Bartolomeo, vice president Connected Solutions at Verizon Enterprise Solutions, in a statement. "We are thrilled to be working with Hyundai to help enhance the driving experience for their customers. It's the breadth of our expertise combined with the depth of our technology that allows our clients to launch new services and initiatives faster."
Blue Link
Hyundai showcased the latest version of its Blue Link technology at this year’s CES, featuring voice navigation, media management, remote capabilities and Google Glass integration (which will be interesting, since the verdict for Cecila Abadie’s case on driving with Google Glass left the issue unclear). Blue Link can be accessed through a smartphone, Web application or in-car system to help users find a gas station or shortcut, learn about mechanical issues, call for help, immobilize a stolen car and more.
"We selected Verizon to provide the wireless network service for 'Next-generation Blue Link' because both customer opinion and various data sources indicate that Verizon provides the best solution to our customers for both coverage and quality," said Woo-Young Kwak, executive vice president, Vehicle IT Service Division/Vehicle IT Development Center, Hyundai Motor Group.
Verizon in Connected Cars
In 2012, Verizon acquired Hughes Telematics for about $600 million, then suffered a major loss when GM and OnStar switched to AT&T as their partner for an LTE-powered app ecosystem. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile all have their hands in the connected vehicle market, making it a competitive landscape. For cars without built-in connectivity services like Genesis, Verizon powers Delphi modules that are compatible from 1996-model vehicles and allow drivers to troubleshoot and monitor vehicles from their smartphones or computers. The Delphi Connect with 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot allows up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices to connect.
The role of carriers in the development of M2M and the IoT will be covered in more detail next week at the M2M Evolution Conference & Expo in a session, “Carriers and the M2M Ecosystem” featuring speakers from CGI, Open Mobile Alliance and Telenor Connexion AB. Sprint, AT&T and Verizon will all be in attendance, featuring case studies and keynote presentations. The event kicks off with the Battle of the Platforms on Jan. 28, and runs until Jan. 31 in Miami, Fla. Visit the conference website to learn more.
Edited by
Cassandra Tucker
