28 Jun WHY CONNECTED CARS ARE THE NEW STANDARD FOR MOBILITY | #SMARTMOBILITYISME
WHY CONNECTED CARS ARE THE NEW STANDARD FOR MOBILITY | #SMARTMOBILITYISME
What makes a car connected?
In simple terms, a connected car can communicate with another entity, be it other vehicles or an entire network altogether. In Malaysia, ACO Tech delivers vehicle connectivity via the first dedicated automotive cloud in the country. Vehicles equipped with the necessary infotainment head unit (IHU) and telematics hardware to communicate with this cloud are essentially always online. This grants them real-time access to a wide array of information and services covering aspects such as entertainment, navigation, safety, and more.
Similarly, other devices such as mobile phones and wearables can also connect to the cloud and interface with the vehicle through it. This architecture opens many new possibilities for vehicle owners, driving the case for connected cars to be the new standard for vehicle ownership and personal mobility. Here are some examples of how smart mobility can make a real difference in our daily lives.
FROM CENTRAL LOCKING TO 24/7 REMOTE VEHICLE SECURITY
Vehicle protection has evolved considerably past the point of security hardware, to software-enabled solutions that allow their owners to track their vehicle status at all times, even when they are away on holiday. With apps like ATLAS Auto, users can remotely monitor and control windows and locks from anywhere with an internet connection.
GPS-enabled features such as geofencing and vehicle tracking take security measures to the next level as owners can create virtual boundaries to prevent unauthorised usage of their cars and access trip logs through their app to track the vehicle down in the unlikely event of theft.
In the same way a conventional car key sends signals to the vehicle, all data transmitted between the vehicle, cloud and user to enable these features are encrypted and bound to a single account that can only be accessed and authenticated by the genuine owner for maximum security.
ATLAS Infotainment Head Unit powered by E02 automotive chipset for the PROTON S70
Mobile widget for ATLAS Auto featuring vehicle controls such as remote locks and engine start
TOTAL INTEGRATION FOR CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY
The infotainment head units (IHU) of connected cars have the benefit of accessing online services and streaming content independently, without the need for an external mobile device. This connectivity allows automotive manufacturers to easily integrate popular features such as music streaming and navigation apps into the vehicle to provide a more seamless experience behind the wheel, where drivers need not fumble for their mobile phones to listen to their favourite songs.
When paired with other smart mobility solutions such as Voice Recognition (VR), integrated features of an IHU add an extra layer of safety by reducing the chances of distraction. For instance, a driver can speak to the vehicle to trigger a desired function, be it adjusting the climate control or getting directions to an unfamiliar destination, without lifting a finger off the wheel or taking their eyes off the road while driving. After all, convenience and safety are key pillars of connected ecosystems such as ATLAS (ACO Tech Local Automotive Services), that come hand in hand in delivering an enriched user experience.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH OTA UPDATES
With vehicle connectivity, infotainment systems are no longer limited to the capabilities they had at the point of sale. Over-the-air (OTA) updates allow these systems to be periodically updated not just for optimization and bug fixes, but also for enhancements and the addition of new features. This is a form of digital maintenance for connected cars to ensure users an up-to-date smart mobility experience throughout their vehicle ownership journey.
Since 2019, ACO Tech has delivered 50 OTA software updates and over 400 map database updates to a growing user base of approximately 300,000 connected cars at no cost to the vehicle owners. More than just a way to finetune the multimedia experience within the cockpit, some of these updates are also vital in calibrating certain safety systems and driver assistance systems that interface with the IHU. This improvement process is also a community effort as users can share feedback to their respective vehicle manufacturers to positively influence future updates.
