You might be familiar with the term Internet of Things (IoT). It refers to connecting billions of physical devices to the internet to collect, share, and exchange data. IoT connects devices so that they communicate and operate without human involvement. IoT holds enormous potential across industries. In fact, the manufacturing sector is already reaping the benefits of IIoT as it has reduced human involvement and production costs. But the industrial applications of IoT don’t end here. Another industry actively engaged in exploring the applications of IoT is the automotive industry.
The manufacturers in the automobile sector are tapping the benefits of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analysis, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). These days, vehicles are becoming more and more software-driven and it is expected that by 2020, there will be 250 million connected cars on the road. Now you may think that your car has been connected for years. You can link your smartphone and stream your Spotify playlists and register for real-time traffic alerts. So, how it is going to be any different?
Indeed, connected cars have become a norm these days. But the new automotive age will make more use of sensors, artificial intelligence, and big-data analysis to offer predictive maintenance, Wi-Fi capabilities, Car2Car connectivity, and advanced fleet management. Now let’s take a look at how the IoT is going to bring a connectivity revolution in the automotive industry.
Connected Cars
In the ongoing digital revolution, the automotive industry is also upping their game and bringing all-encompassing connectivity, mobility, integration, and immersive experience. Connected cars already enable mobile data connectivity and integration. In the future, you can control and operate connection car features with your mobile devices. With the help of internet connectivity in vehicles, car manufacturers will be able to release software updates in real-time. Also, self-driving cars will become a reality.
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has already revealed his plans to launch an electric car with solar roofs and integrated battery storage. Also, the company plans to bring car sharing feature which would allow Tesla owners to lend out their cars and earn money. Self-driving or autopilot car will revolutionize the auto market as the cars could drive themselves in traffic jams and highways by analyzing the lanes. These cars will be connected to multiple technologies like GPS technology to support navigation and routing, radar sensors, high-powered cameras, sonar, and lasers.
Predictive Maintenance
By embedding predictive maintenance feature, it will become possible to prevent expensive repairs. The IoT enabled vehicle parts would collect data on the performance of different parts. The collected data will be transferred to the cloud in real-time to evaluate the risks of potential malfunction. The end-user will get to know about the potential failure of a car’s hardware or software with the help of notifications. The advance warning will help in avoiding expensive repair and prevent unexpected breakdowns during the ride. This feature makes use of machine learning algorithms for monitoring parts like the battery.
Fleet Management
The Internet of Things will also transform transportation and logistics in the coming years. The IoT connectivity will help fleet operators in tracking vehicle positions in real-time. It is also possible to get remote car diagnostics and monitor vehicle routes and mileage. Moreover, the vehicle can even call the emergency helpline number if the driver isn’t responding. It will enable better fleet management as the collected data can be used for tracking routes, fuel consumption, performance statistics, and traffic congestion.