M2M


A world of machine-to-machine communication: the connected car is emerging as one of the most intensive applications for M2M


‘Forward-thinking telcos have the opportunity to leverage their network infrastructure and make this new era of connected cars a reality’


ing capabilities on the road and connected the driver with basic mobility services. It was made obsolete by ubiquitous mobile phone pen- etration in developed markets, which has recast voice calling as an application that sits beside a whole suite of new data-centric applications. Just as in consumer and enterprise mobil-


ity, basic calling has been overshadowed by data transfer and wireless networking that has gone far beyond human-to-human conversa- tions towards the use of machine-to-machine applications to enhance the driving experience. T e challenge is getting from where we are


now, with some cars connected to wireless infra- structure with largely safety-related applications, to using wireless infrastructure to off er services that will further improve the driving experience, enhancing navigation with intelligence and in- tegrating familiar entertainment from the home (such as music and video) into a connected car. Solutions already exist on the market. How-


ever, the way data becomes used and valued by the user will drive business cases for connected cars. As more connected services arise, more engaged users will be driving adoption and real business. How value can be added using wireless technology will be the defi ning fea- ture of a successful connected car.


Electric future For electric cars, connectivity is likely to be- come essential for their daily operations. Elec- tric cars face a range of new challenges that tra- ditional automobiles never had to manage and


LAND mobile September 2012


wireless connectivity models will evolve along with this sector of the automotive industry. T e fi rst challenge is energy management


and effi ciency. Electric batteries hold much less energy than traditional petrol vehicles, limiting mileage and making driving effi ciency a critical concern. Real-time route optimiza- tion based on energy will help electric cars take people further while relieving drivers from the anxiety of running out of energy. As we know, you can’t carry electricity in a bottle and this creates unique challenges for electric cars. If routes can be optimized in real time, tak-


ing into consideration the type of area, terrain, traffi c and any other obstacles, then there is a less chance of running out of power. T ese are very practical concerns but ones that require a greater level of intelligence delivered to the drivers as they are on the road. Otherwise, drivers will be leaving home unprepared if they haven’t put serious thought into pre-trip planning, or have used an electric car only for short journeys to well-known areas. T is links directly to the second challenge,


which is fi nding places to recharge an electric car’s battery. Without prior knowledge of an area, electric car drivers won’t know where they can recharge. To stay on the road and go from A to B, there need to be available ports to recharge the vehicle’s battery and again that means there needs to be a greater element of planning for the driver. Fuel stations are relatively easy to come by, but charging stations for an electric car are limited. It will be essential that these charging


stations are recognized and communicated to the driver to prevent having a journey cut short. Fuel effi ciency and recharging not only


point to a need for greater connectivity in electric cars, but also show how traditional au- tomobiles can benefi t from a greater level of intelligence being delivered to a driver.


One car, one connection What is driving connected cars forward within the automotive industry is standardization. Telecoms operators and manufacturers are working together to decide how connected cars will work with a foundation in standards. If cars are connected in one country, they must remain connected throughout the journey. T ough the market for connected cars is still


in its infancy, operators are increasingly taking part in M2M international standardization programmes to make it grow. Wireless stand- ards, billing and provider interconnections will be a key enabler for the future of connected cars and making them a practical reality. T e question also remains of who will take


the lead in the connected car industry. Will it be the network providers or the automotive industry? T e consumer simply wants to see compelling applications and needs justifi cation for paying for a service of this kind. Safety is recognized as a benefi t, but to really push con- nected cars into the mainstream and see their true benefi t, automotive manufacturers and network providers will need to demonstrate how they improve our driving experience. T e automotive industry sees that connectiv-


ity can be a diff erentiator, but it will need to work alongside telcos to ensure that they deliver a reliable service that has value for consumers. Partnerships across these verticals will feed the development of connected cars and ensure that consumers are getting a service that enhances their driving experience and makes getting from A to B safe, cost eff ective and effi cient.


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