Sandra Cosser
There was a time when having a GPS unit in your car was about as hip as you could get. Now most cars come with GPS as standard in their infotainment systems. Infotainment is the new buzzword in the automotive industry. Well, it’s not really new seeing as how some cars have been using systems for years, but it’s gaining ground with consumers, who are increasingly tech-savvy, not to mention demanding.
In-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems have taken over car consoles, completely eradicating the radio and CD players we used to be so proud of. Now the boys’ club (and the girls’ club, let’s be fair) has a new yardstick by which to measure success and the game is on to find the slickest system with the most apps and capabilities.
Basically, an IVI system lets you control your world while you sit behind the wheel of your car. It’ll come with a touchscreen (7″ or 8″) and, more often than not, voice activation. It’ll have wireless internet connectivity, Bluetooth, music storage, rocking sound, video capabilities and, of course, top of the line navigation systems.
What it also means is that OS developers have another avenue in which to compete. Windows has the leap on Google as its Windows Embedded Automotive OS is already used by Ford, Nissan, Fiat and Kia. But that doesn’t mean Google is content to let the situation be. Saab has just revealed its new IVI platform that operates on Android.
Saab waited until the Geneva Motor Show to unveil IQon, which, according to GPS Business News, will allow drivers to download a range of apps from Saab IQon app store, access online services and use multimedia functions. But there’s more.
Cars will be equipped with sensors that will provide information related to speed, location, direction, steering wheel angle, engine speed, ad infinitum so that you know what is going on in your car at all times. And, this information will be relayed to your dealership, which will be alerted to potential problems and be able to ask you to come in for an immediate check-up. Furthermore, a number of the sensors will be used in conjunction with other onboard navigation systems to soup up your GPS functioning. And if that wasn’t enough, Saab will allow third-party app developers to create more new nifty tools for you to buy from the store (all apps will be quality and safety approved by Saab before they are made available).
Jeremy Slater (Telematics Update) says that as Gen Y (or Millennial’s as they are also known) gains more buying power and becomes the dominant market for the automotive industry, the need to keep developing more advanced infotainment systems will become more urgent.
Gen Y takes technology for granted. They expect it everywhere and they expect it to be able to every thing. Car manufacturers will have to stay on top of their toes to maintain their share of the market and OS developers will have their work cut out to keep top of the line systems coming.
We write about Garmin accessories for the leading resource for Garmin authorised GPS celebrity voices in South Africa, GPS Creative.
