With more manufacturers sharing information generated by vehicles and bringing new solutions from connected car information to the market, 2017 will be the year of increased vehicle connectivity and data sharing, writes Kit Wisdom, head of technical services at Alphabet
New industry solutions include the introduction of Accident Call (or A-Call) providing assistance to drivers in low-impact situations, and the increased prevalence of service and maintenance data being available to the leasing industry, thus enabling a more proactive and hassle-free approach to delivering services to the driver.
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This shift is being driven as much by advances in technology as it is from customer demand, once drivers experience the benefits and potential of this shared data.
By having a more open and communicative relationship with manufacturers when it comes to data sharing, not only will drivers’ experience be greatly improved, but fleet decision makers will also benefit from reductions in vehicle downtime, increased duty of care and greater control over things such as maintenance scheduling.
Not only will any potential vehicle downtime be reduced, but it will also be more productive for the employee: The time required by a driver spent on the phone, via email or waiting for a response can be massively condensed, with more intelligent customer support to book vehicles directly into a workshop.
The way this works is that collected data is transformed into information by digital reporting tools, which will be readily available to the driver and employee. Data logging of this kind is all down to computerised systems that are able to update information at the same rate as they receive it, allowing manufacturers to make faster and more responsive decisions.
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By GlobalDataFor 2017, the industry should be embracing new techniques for more intelligent customer support in the short term, as well as using the connected car data to shape and deliver new services in the medium to long term.
The possibilities that greater connectivity poses are taking shape. It will not only benefit drivers but also corporate fleet and mobility teams – whether they are in HR, operations, finance or procurement functions – who are responsible for large vehicle fleets and keeping employees on the move. Aside from the obvious customer service benefits, greater connectivity and technological improvements will result in the wider application of ‘over the air’ communication to and from vehicles.
Wireless units can easily be installed or built into vehicles, and likely in fixed locations like traffic signals and other street furniture. When combined, sensors at fixed points in the cars, and possibly at other locations, will be able to capture and provide accurate, real-time information for drivers, fleets and manufacturers. Some manufacturers are already championing remote software updates for vehicles.
With the government predicted to make firm commitments to smart motorways and connected streets in the Modern Transport Bill due to be published later in the year, this is just the start of a generational shift for the industry, wider society and consumers.
