Telematics is Not a Question of If, but When
MINNEAPOLIS--Dec. 4, 2002--According to a recent study by Telematics Research Group, Telematics is not a question of if, but when, and what functions will become prevalent. According to the report, Telematics will enable a host of functions from vehicle and passenger safety to comfort and convenience features."The conventional (and sometimes pessimistic) view on telematics looks only at the services side of the business where business models have not been sorted out yet. What many do not realize is that telematics technologies will add core functionality necessary for a variety of emerging automotive systems capabilities," says Phil Magney, principal analyst with Telematics Research Group.
"Telematics-based, wireless access to and from a vehicle benefits manufacturers through cost and time savings, and it can supply data that will aid in the development process of vehicles," adds Magney. Telematics use will increase by future government and ITS actions that require telematics technologies for emergency services, traffic management, or are used for compliance, registration, or toll road use.
Telematics is also necessary to support the growing number of user-selectable input buttons and switches within the vehicle. And as cars become more complex they will increasingly rely on driver information systems that will become the user interface to both on-board and off-board information, according to TRG.
"The increasing use of embedded controllers becomes a catalyst for telematics," says Egil Juliussen, Ph.D., chief technology analyst with Telematics Research Group. "This means a variety of onboard and off-board diagnostics, including downloadable diagnostics and diagnostics updates will flow via wireless technologies between autos and service organizations."
The next table shows the automotive systems that are using or will be using one or more of the telematics technologies in the next decade. Telematics technologies are defined as those that support two-way communications of voice/data, location technology and an interface to one of the vehicle's electronic buses.
The Uses For Telematics Technology
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Automotive Systems Function/Application Telematics Requirements
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Safety & Security -- Automatic crash -- Requires
Systems notification embedded telematics
-- Remote and 2-way
diagnostics/function communication
-- Vehicle tracking
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Integration of Cellular -- Hands-free -- Requires hands-
Services telephony free interface
-- Content, -- Integration
information exchange w/audio electronics
-- E-mail &
messaging
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Embedded Electronics -- Control of -- Diagnostics to &
Controllers engine, power-train, from vehicle
chassis, body -- Software
systems upgrades via
-- Remote wireless
diagnostics
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X-by-Wire Systems -- Electronics -- Diagnostics data
control of throttle, I/O
brake, steering & -- Driver
suspension information systems
-- Functional
integration
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Intelligent Vehicle -- Advanced sensors -- Diagnostics data
Systems & computers I/O
-- Active safety -- Roadside-auto
systems communication
-- Driver assist -- Auto-to-auto
systems communication
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Intelligent -- Real-time traffic -- 2-way
Transportation Systems information communication for
(ITS) -- Traffic traffic management
management & safety
-- Roadway -- Location
communications information
infrastructure
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Human Machine Interface -- Speech I/O & -- User interface
(HMI) multifunction for telematics,
switches/buttons phone, content &
-- Driver vehicle
information systems
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The above data and findings are published in TRG's latest report, Technologies for Telematics Systems: Trends, Outlook, and Opportunities. Available now, the report is an examination of key telematics subsystems such as telematics control unit, I/O interfaces, speech, navigation, wireless communications, network bus and more.
Telematics Research Group tracks, analyzes, and forecasts the market for automotive telematics. For more information go to www.telematicsresearch.com, or contact Phil Magney at (952) 935-0400.