Smarter and connected vehicles
In 2018, the European eCall regulation forced manufacturers to integrate an automatic emergency call system. To comply with this requirement, they had to connect their vehicles and develop services around this connectivity. Some forward-thinking brands managed to stand out by quickly developing innovative premium services. Today, manufacturers are (almost) all on an equal footing, except for Tesla, which continues to innovate with its autonomous driving systems.
By integrating sensors, applications, and connected objects into vehicles, IoT marks the beginning of a new era of mobility. Thanks to high-speed networks such as 4G and 5G, vehicles are now capable of collecting, receiving, and sending data in real time. They can also interact with road infrastructure, people, and other vehicles.
Here are some examples of technologies:
V2V (vehicle to vehicle)
Cars equipped with IoT capabilities exchange information with each other, such as their speed and location. They can also communicate to report accidents or breakdowns. By anticipating traffic difficulties, drivers can move more efficiently.
V2I (vehicle to infrastructure)
Vehicles connect with road infrastructure elements like traffic lights, streetlights, cameras, or RFID readers. Using this data allows for setting speed limits or facilitating the passage of emergency vehicles (by turning traffic lights green along the ambulance’s route, for example). Depending on traffic conditions, the infrastructure can decide to slow down the traffic around an accident zone or otherwise smooth the flow of traffic. The result: significantly improved road safety for everyone!
Predictive maintenance of vehicles
IoT sensors integrated into vehicles can measure the health of components, fuel consumption, and engine temperature. This information is transferred to the cloud to:
- detect imminent failures in circulating vehicles;
- alert the owner when certain components need to be replaced or maintained;
- provide recommendations to the driver;
- simplify vehicle maintenance for individuals and fleet managers.
An interesting use case is Lormauto, a French manufacturer specialized in vehicle retrofitting. To optimize the user experience, it employs 4G cellular connectivity. Its advantage? It allows for the transmission of large volumes of information and the monitoring of the health status of vehicles and their components, especially the electric battery. Monitored in real time, this component can benefit from rapid diagnosis and repair in case of an issue.
Also read: Objenious is partnering with Lormauto to create a modular and connected electric Twingo 1
Autonomous driving
To simplify drivers’ lives, manufacturers are developing increasingly autonomous vehicles. These vehicles operate with driving assistants that can, for example, control speed or maintain safe distances. In most cases, the driver remains responsible for steering, acceleration, and braking, and can use autonomous driving under specific conditions such as traffic jams. Thanks to IoT and AI, advanced systems prevent accidents by activating emergency braking.
One of the most innovative examples is Tesla vehicles equipped with AutoPilot. The use of this autonomous driving assistance system can be crucial in emergency situations, such as medical emergencies. In 2016, it even saved a driver’s life. Unable to drive due to a pulmonary embolism, the driver entrusted control to AutoPilot, which managed the driving until reaching the hospital.
More efficient fleet management
Automotive IoT enables fleet managers to optimize the management of their fleets. Sensors integrated into their vehicles collect data on:
- Performance;
- Oil levels;
- Mileage;
- Tire pressure;
- Cargo weight;
- Fuel consumption or electric battery charge level.
More efficient fleet management
Automotive IoT enables fleet managers to optimize the management of their fleets. Sensors integrated into their vehicles collect data on:
- Performance;
- Oil levels;
- Mileage;
- Tire pressure;
- Cargo weight;
- Fuel consumption or electric battery charge level.
Based on the real-time location of vehicles, IoT solutions generate optimized routes to improve delivery efficiency, save fuel, and reduce operational costs.
Improved automotive manufacturing
The integration of IoT sensors within assembly lines greatly enhances the efficiency of production sites. IoT solutions track the real-time supply of raw materials, monitor the condition of machinery, and detect their defects. Better informed, automotive manufacturers can take quick action to prevent breakdowns, optimize energy consumption, and control vehicle quality at every stage of production.
To modernize its production lines, the BMW Group has installed IoT sensors on its machines. Their role? To continuously monitor their operation and detect anomalies. Production stoppages are avoided and machines are maintained more efficiently. Additionally, this information is sent to the cloud to inform all maintenance teams, including those at other factories. All employees are thus aware of potential risks (defective parts to monitor, etc.).
Also read: IoT, powering the automotive 4.0 industry
Develop your automotive IoT solution with Objenious
Are you an automotive company ready to develop IoT technology? With a wide ecosystem of partners, our Objenious experts offer tailored solutions for all sectors, including connected automotive. We provide a broad range of 4G, 5G LTE-M, or NB IoT solutions and customize our offerings to match your needs. Your guarantee? Benefit from the quality of Bouygues Telecom networks and a comprehensive platform to efficiently manage your fleet of connected devices. Contact us and tell us about your projects!