Five major trends in intelligent connected cars: cars will become computers on wheels

Technology is reshaping the future of the global automotive industry. Technology companies are continuously advancing into the automotive industry with their own advantages, and cars will become computers on wheels.

The current momentum of intelligent connected vehicles is in full swing. It is difficult to summarize the key elements of the development of today's automobile market in five sentences. However, based on my observation, the development of intelligent connected vehicles in the future will show the following five major trends.

A browser on wheels

First, cars have become browsers on wheels.

It’s hard to say this is an exaggeration, as it would mean driving is now equivalent to online searching, and if driving behavior were monetized, it could be a $100 billion industry.

Every action a driver takes indicates an intention, and that intention can be monetized by advertisers and car manufacturers.

GM’s Marketplace platform is a perfect example of a system in cars today, which uses analytics to predict customer preferences and past behavior to provide real-time recommendations to drivers through the dashboard.

AI

The so-called “browserization” phenomenon is accelerating as artificial intelligence capabilities that support autonomous driving and act as digital assistants are moving from the cloud to in-car systems, thereby enhancing processor capabilities, improving vehicle networks and in-car storage.

Cars are becoming smarter and smarter, able to understand what humans are doing and help them travel safely and reach their destinations accurately.

HERE, a company specializing in automotive assistance products and services, is combining address information with sensor-based contextual information developed by Audi, BMW and Daimler to help drivers avoid obstacles and potential hazards on the road.

New Values

Connected cars will not only further improve safety and operability, but will also create new value, ultimately eliminating the need for people to own cars.

This trend will be a long process, but the key elements are already in place. Wireless connectivity brings a new concept of transportation, which has a real and far-reaching impact on automobile manufacturers, dealers, traffic assistance and wireless infrastructure.

General Motors is in the process of expanding and installing the Maven car-sharing program on all GM vehicles, which will allow GM owners to share their vehicles with other users.

At the same time, more and more automakers, including Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Lexus, and Ford, are scrambling to launch wirelessly connected car registration programs, where participants can freely exchange vehicles every week, every month, or even as needed.

Car manufacturers become MVNOs

In this transformation, the role of automobile companies cannot be underestimated. They hope to become mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and create a business model independent of operators.

Automotive companies want their vehicles to have the best local wireless connectivity, independent of service providers.

The role of wireless networks in vehicle safety

The important role of wireless networks will also be reflected in responding to cybersecurity threats and supporting autonomous driving. But overall, the key to the development of intelligent connected vehicles is whether the automotive industry recognizes and accepts the role of wireless networks in vehicle safety.

It is no exaggeration to say that C-V2X is a revolution in the automotive industry to achieve true automotive IoT. With the advent of 5G, it is surprising to think about the changes that will take place in the next few years.

The good news is that at this critical juncture in the development of wireless networks, the automotive industry is working closely with the wireless communications community to develop mutually agreed standards and protocols for the first time in history.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.