|
Cars using the new technology should be on the
market within a few years' time.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X12 and X5 modems are designed to be
embedded in cars and work with owners' mobile devices to access
a variety of Internet services, from streaming music to vehicle
diagnostics.
Cars are becoming a key battleground for technology industry
giants, including Google Inc and Apple Inc, as they seek to
develop a market where drivers will be online while on the road.
"These modems will give carmakers and consumers an in-car
experience that rivals the best smartphones," said Kanwalinder
Singh, senior vice president of business development for
Qualcomm Technologies. "Consumer expectations of the experience
inside the car are being driven by their experiences with their
smartphones."
Singh said the new modems are faster and will support advanced
telematics and infotainment systems being developed for cars
that could hit the market in the next two to three years.
Automakers and third-party service providers like the
"ubiquitous connectivity" - the ability to stay connected to the
Internet - offered by embedded modems.
The technology means, among other things, that dealerships can
alert customers to when service is needed or if a part needs
repair. In some cases, software can be upgraded over the air
while the vehicle is parked overnight in a garage.
Insurance companies would also be able to offer vehicle owners a
"good driving" discount, if they agree to have their driving
habits monitored wirelessly and transmitted over the in-vehicle
modem.
"The marriage of the smartphone and the car will be the next
thing," Singh said.
In the future, mobile devices such as phones and tablets will be
fully integrated with modems and software already embedded in
the vehicle, he said.
That means owners will be able to access a wider variety of apps
and services, and their cars will be able to communicate
wirelessly with other vehicles - a technology known as V2V - to
help avoid potential accidents and traffic jams.
(Editing by Matthew Lewis)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
