Automotive Telematics: Technology Looks to Unravel Sleuth of Opportunities

At the time when new technological change is being witnessed at a rapid pace as the futuristic generation comes of age and perceives few obstacles to the way technology can embolden business, the next disruptive shift in technology and work is imminent. One novel technology which has the capability to bring significant change to all features in automobile industry is telematics as its capacity to keep a bird’s eye view on vehicle-driving behavior and communicate back to the user with real-time data.

To put it in a perspective, telematics is considered as an emerging trend of the automotive communication technology which uses visual data and wireless audio to offer location-specific security, productivity, information and in-vehicle entertainment services to drivers.
Automotive telematics has a wealth of applications, including real time movement and behavior of a vehicle that can be ascertained efficaciously. The amalgamation of telecommunication and information processing, the term which have evolved to refer to automation, such as the invention of the emergency warning system for vehicles. Accordingly, GPS/GPRS navigation, wireless safety communications, integrated hands-free cell phones and automatic driving assistance system all fall under the gambit of telematics.

Trailer tracking has been the hot topic in the automotive telematics market with the growing influence of e-commerce. With the assistance of telematics called as trailer tracking, the user can get the real-time location and distance the cargo is from his facility. Similarly, be it bus in the fleet, truck in the fleet, security vehicles or private vehicles, all nine yards can be tracked remotely sitting in the home/office. Delivery and transportation businesses reap dividend from the vehicle tracing feature.
The use of Radio frequency identification as an automatic identification method, depending on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices named as RFID tags or transponders is being observed by leading aftermarket retailers and suppliers to ameliorate the efficiency of identification.
The application of telematics in vehicle tracking monitoring the movement, location, status and behavior of a vehicle or fleet has been substantiated by the combination of GPS receiver and an electronic device—incorporating GSM and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)—installed in each vehicle. These components tend to communicate with the dispatching, coordinating or emergency unit and computer-or web-based software.

Though regulators have embraced telematics with both arms, down the lane their acceptance may hinge upon an array of factors— prevalence of regulatory resistance if drivers face soaring prices only because he chose not to be monitored—may not go well with the customer.
As developing technologies collate an exhaustive amount of data beyond the mileage, virtues of telematics are widely appreciated. Players in automotive telematics use the information to substantiate value-added services, while lowering claims leakage, minimizing loss costs and reducing expenses. Some of the facets of potential redesign and scintillating impact are go green; enhanced renewal retention; stolen vehicle recovery; increased fleet safety and security; low acquisition cost; and automated repair processing. Having said that, telematics reflects a significant, but a complicated opportunity. Several ways to create values in automotive telematics is yet to be fully exploited.