Automated vehicles leading to sustainable development through IoT

Connected cars will help in heralding a new era of eco-friendly transportation

Dr Rishi Bhatnagar, president, Aeris Communications

Last Updated : Jun 02 2017 | 12:26 PM IST

Connected vehicles as the name implies work on technology that enables them to interact with each other and data management platforms on everything right from information about road closures, barriers, weather conditions or other hazards. Through connected vehicles, drivers can become more aware of their ambient environment while passengers get access to better infotainment options. Beyond having a digital impact, such vehicles can also have a positive bearing on the environment.

Connected cars appeared on the horizon nearly two decades ago. Those days connect cars were all about having working phones in cars that would automatically inform an agent to deliver medical aid faster in case of an accident. Till a few years ago, low bandwidth, connectivity problems and not so market ready technologies slowed down the growth of the segment. Today, however, with the onset of standards-based connected car platforms that are broadband ready, automobile manufacturers are now ready to bet more. Connected cars are fast turning into a driving force that is pushing for faster development of infrastructure, connectivity and technology needed to usher in an autonomous driving future.

In the transport sector, connected vehicles are impacting mobility, vehicle management, infotainment, safety, vehicle assistance and driving experience. While most conversations on connected vehicles focus on connectivity and safety issues, less attention is currently being paid to the possible environment benefits associated with them. This because connected cars are at a very early stage of adoption and many technologies associated are at an advanced phase of usage testing. But the amount of interest that these vehicles have generated continues to grow none the less.

Let us begin with connected cars that are powered by traditional sources of energy. In such instances, connected vehicles have a clear advantage over their non-connected counterparts. Vehicle maintenance is more institutionalised and process driven in connected vehicles with the driver or fleet manager getting alerts as and when a planned or unplanned maintenance schedule is due.

In connected vehicles with assisted driving and situational awareness, sharp turns, hard braking and or accelerating are avoided. It can also inform you about less than adequate tyre pressure. This leads to less engine stress, better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions of oxides of nitrogen and carbon. Studies have shown a reduction in emissions to the tune of 5-20 percent in vehicles driven with on-trip advice and post-trip feedback.

Studies have also shown that as much as 40 percent of traffic jams are caused by drivers searching for a parking slot. With connected cars, that problem is solved as a connected car can share information on the best parking slot available or best transport option (public transport) to take in case parking is unavailable at or near the destination you wish to go to.

Data gathered by automobile manufacturers from each vehicle will help improve designs, fuel management systems and components to make vehicles more fuel-efficient.

Dr Rishi Bhatnagar, president, Aeris Communications

Vehicles that talk to each other and exchange information on weather and road conditions could also improve safety and reduce emissions. Beyond all this, connected vehicles will fundamentally alter the way we drive and in association with other trends such as development of light weight vehicles as also autonomous vehicles and faster adoption of vehicles running on electricity transform the whole segment into one which has very little impact on the environment.

What about data safety and integrity? With connected car data being stored on the cloud, wouldn’t such data be vulnerable to theft and misuse? Automobile manufacturers are aware of such pitfalls. Some of them are working to use technologies such as blockchains to make storage, access and management of connected car data safer in the days to come.

Connected cars will ultimately lead to the development and evolution of autonomous cars. Though that is something which will take time but the signs are already there. The concept of an autonomous vehicle itself is in its initial stages and a lot more has to be done to derive an autonomous car architecture that is robust, driver friendly and one that works in tandem with other technologies to offer a fully safe and autonomous driving experience.

The automobile industry has been often asked to do more towards the environment. Though a lot of effort has gone in, the reliance on the need to burn fossil fuels to propel engines has been the proverbial Achilles heel for automobile manufacturers. But with the arrival of electricity powered connected vehicles, the industry will get a chance to redeem itself and focus on better driver experience and safety.

So all said and done, connected cars seem to set the stage for development of a whole new eco-system of communications, infrastructure and tech that will herald a new era of eco-friendly transport options.

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Dr Rishi Bhatnagar is president of Aeris Communications & chairman of IET IoT Panel India