The days when on-road performance and safety were the only parameters considered in choosing an automobile are now in the rearview mirror.
In the digital world that we live in today, providing a connected experience is necessary, and OEMs have taken notice. With the integration of IoT-based technologies, automotive solutions are evolving rapidly. OEMs have realized that IoT Mobile Apps are critical in completing the connected vehicle jigsaw puzzle.
A modern vehicle – a hatchback, or a truck is embedded with at least 70 sensors to collect datasets essential to its functionality.
Although the primary function of these sensors is to provide critical performance and component-related information to the vehicle’s control system, OEMs can upscale their functionality. An ideal way of doing so is by using Automotive Mobile Apps.
Let’s define an IoT mobile app with reference to the automotive industry –
Any Android or iOS app that can seamlessly connect and interact with the vehicle to elevate the vehicle’s existing features, while also enhancing the experience of the vehicle occupants could be defined as an IoT Mobile app for the automotive industry.
How is the Automotive Industry Making Use of These Automotive Mobile Apps?
Here are some well-known use cases of Automotive Mobile Apps:
- Automotive Maintenance Apps
- Self-diagnostics through performance monitoring. Once an issue is detected or a critical performance indicator crosses the safety benchmark, provide a schematic and information on the component linked to the issue. Enable push notifications to alert the customer, also while providing tips for periodic maintenance and routes to nearby service centers. This is a classic example of predictive maintenance.
- Allow customers to check component availability.
- Enhance driver performance and maximize vehicle capabilities by providing suggestions to the driver through drive-assist.
- In the event of a vehicle breakdown, provide tips on managing the identified issue until the vehicle reaches the service station – roadside assistance via the advisor module.
- Schedule service appointments with the ability to choose mechanics and provide estimates on component servicing or replacement.
- Vehicle Tracking Apps/ Trip Planner Apps
- Live Vehicle Tracking – This feature is most beneficial for fleet managers as they can know the whereabouts of their crew at any instant. For privately owned vehicles, live tracking can be included as a remote supervision feature.
- Find my Vehicle – Locating your vehicle in an unfamiliar setting can always be challenging, however with this feature automotive owners can locate their vehicles with pinpoint accuracy.
- Crash Alert – With the ever-rising cases of on-road accidents, automotive mobile apps with this feature can be pivotal in raising awareness of an accident nearby so that fellow drivers can take appropriate actions to avoid such situations for themselves. Another feature that plays a key role in providing support in situations of distress is roadside assistance, options to call an ambulance, and tips on how to access and use the first aid kit present in the vehicle.
- Fuel Consumption Monitoring / Range Indicator – Receiving automated assistance in fuel and range management assists drivers in planning pit stops well ahead of time. This feature also helps in maximizing the vehicle’s performance with the available fuel or range.
- Parking Assist Apps
With materials becoming scarce and inflation rising, the need of the hour is a solution to keep spending under control. OEMs can partner with IoT mobile app developers to create an automotive maintenance app that provides A-Z insights on critical vehicle parameters.
Here are some of the features automotive maintenance apps should include:
An automobile, due to its functionality and cost associated, is considered an asset. Therefore, owners are particular about the whereabouts of their assets.
There is huge scope for vehicle tracking apps and we can find several 3rd party software or apps in the market today. Several world-renowned OEMs have developed brand-specific tracking apps.
Here are some of the features in apps of this nature:
What is more stressful when compared to driving in an urban setting? Yes, it’s finding a parking spot. Automotive mobile apps can provide users with alerts about open parking spots close to their destination or a desired pitstop.
Along with parking assistance, with the help of these apps, users can receive alerts on unauthorized entries and quickly deal with the matter at hand.
Some OEMs provide a feature that allows drivers to unlock their vehicle using a mobile app. This is useful especially in situations where the driver forgets the keys inside the vehicle. The app also performs a security check for driver authentication before the vehicle is unlocked.
These are just three of the several types of automotive mobile apps prevalent in the automotive industry today. OEMs can integrate all these features in a single mobile app or release independent apps.
World-renowned OEMs are already creating automotive mobile apps for their customers, based on the stages of the customer journey i.e., buying, maintaining, and re-selling.
But what goes behind the scenes to enable communication between the car’s nervous system (sensors, cameras, processors, communication channels, etc.) and the outlet i.e., the Automotive mobile apps?
Communication Protocols That Enable Automotive Mobile Apps
Data extraction, data sharing, data storage, and processing are some of the main functions of a connected vehicle ecosystem.
While sensors responsible for data extraction and IoT Cloud and Analytics take up most of the data storing and data processing responsibilities, the protocols mentioned below enable data-sharing:
| Protocol | Abbreviation | Description |
| Vehicle to Infrastructure | V2I | Using this protocol, the vehicle communicates with its surroundings to retrieve information on on-road activities, diversions due to road constructions, fuel/charging stations, or maintenance centers. |
| Vehicle to Vehicle | V2V | This protocol allows one vehicle to communicate with another to extract incoming traffic information. Doing so will help the driver plan the journey amidst possible traffic congestion. |
| Vehicle to Cloud | V2C | The V2C protocol is the most important one from the perspective of automotive mobile apps, as this allows the vehicle’s nervous system to communicate and exchange data with the cloud storage facility. Intelligent decisions made in the cloud can be transmitted to the user’s mobile app. |
| Vehicle to Pedestrian | V2P | This protocol raises awareness about the pedestrians around the vehicle, thereby enhancing driver alertness and possibly avoiding accidents. |
| Vehicle to Everything | V2X | The V2X ecosystem comprises sensors, 5G connectivity, cameras, etc. in the vehicle that extracts information about its surroundings and gives the vehicle an added advantage of on-road awareness. |
Advantages That Automakers Derive From Creating Automotive Mobile Apps:
Each feature mentioned above adds to the existing layers of security that potential owners look for when buying a vehicle. However, from an OEM perspective, what are the advantages to look out for?
- Enhance Customer Loyalty
- Transparent and Connected Experience
- Open the floodgates to Digital Scalability
- Know what customers want
A connected ecosystem enables owners to ensure the longevity of their vehicles. When OEMs offer predictive maintenance features in vehicles, it instills a feeling of trust in the customers’ minds. This, in turn, helps automotive brands in retaining customers and gaining new ones.
Gaining access to critical vehicle information helps the owner and the OEM stay on top of the vehicle’s condition. Through automotive mobile apps, OEMs can upsell and cross-sell their products in appropriate situations.
Integrating digital features in the vehicle is the next big step for OEMs. With digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine learning (ML) developing daily, integrating them as features will be easier with an established digital ecosystem.
Enabling technologies such as AI in automobiles, increases the efficiency of data extraction and analytics through.
Automotive mobile apps are a great way for OEMs to interact with customers. As an automotive OEM, having insights into your customer’s pain points is critical. Brands can meet customer needs by gaining valuable insights through surveys on mobile apps. They can also stay ahead of the digital race with these apps.
Conclusion:
Smartphones took over the world quickly, and smart cars are on the verge of the world doing the same.
Automotive mobile apps are going to play a crucial role in completing the smart car ecosystem that is slowly, but surely, taking shape. With sensors playing a key role, partnering with experts in IoT Sensor node development and all things IoT will give OEMs a great chance to transform their customer experiences.
For the automotive industry, the road ahead is digital!
