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Posts Tagged ‘Data’

Data released from government agencies revealed that from 2003 to 2006, the nation saw a dip in overall vehicular theft – 11 percent, in fact. That still left thousands upon thousands of cars taken in the night (or broad daylight) and resold as legitimate used vehicles, shipped overseas or dismantled for their parts.

According to respected experts on vehicle theft, positive results are being seen from owner-applied theft deterrence and recovery systems. With automotive engineers focusing more on technological advancements, vehicle theft in the United States could continue to be greatly reduced. In the meantime, organizations dedicated to preventing car theft recommend a multi-tiered approach to safeguarding vehicles.

(1) Don’t Make It Easy

Do all you can to make sure those “little things” don’t add up to an easy take. Remember to remove your keys, lock the doors, close the windows, park in well-lit areas and hide all valuables. Thieves are experts. These kinds of mistakes provide them with encouragement to hop in your ride and, well, ride off with it. Plus, most insurers won’t cover the costs of a stolen vehicle if the keys were in or around it.

(2) Use Warning Devices

Any indication your car is protected can act as a deterrent. A thief may be less likely to target your property if you advertise it is protected in some way, either via audio alerts, Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) scratched into the windows, or prominent stickers advertising an anti-theft system.

(3) Immobilizing Devices

Immobilization devices prevent the bypassing of the ignition in order to hotwire the vehicle. Examples include smart keys, fuse cut-offs, kill switches, starter/ignition/fuel pump disablers and wireless ignition authentication.

Some of the best immobilization systems will use an electronic code transmitted from a transponder located in the vehicle’s ignition key to allow or disallow the engine management system to start the vehicle. When the correct electronically-coded signal sent by the transponder to a coil located near the ignition is received, the car will start. Such systems can have as many as one trillion fixed codes or a rolling code with encrypted algorithms, making it virtually impossible to crack. As a bonus, some of these systems will also allow the driver to personalize certain features, like seat and mirror position and keyless entry.

(4) Telematics Tracking Devices

Tracking devices are also excellent defenses against car theft. They may, in fact, herald a new era of auto theft protection. Tracking devices use telematics, which can combine a Global Positioning System (GPS) with wireless technology to monitor a vehicle’s location. If thieves realize a particular vehicle can be easily located at any given moment, they may be (should be) far less likely to snatch it. And if they do – well, bad news for them.

Telematics modules may offer more than just vehicular tracking, as well, by virtue of their technological capability. Some in-vehicle systems will also integrate a phone, a global position satellite receiver and digital signal processing to enable communication between a vehicle and a response center. This will provide navigation assistance, remote diagnostics, collision detection and call center notification, hands-free call center communication and remote door lock/unlock.

Other anti-theft devices include steering wheel and ignition locks, audio alerts, keyless vehicle systems, remote keyless activation and ultrasonic interior protection with inclination sensing. The last is, perhaps, one of the more interesting innovations. In an attempt to combat annoying and neighbor-riling false alarms often associated with ignored audio warning systems, certain manufacturers have created theft deterrents designed to sense activity within the vehicle. When interior movement is detected or a change in inclination is sensed, the system will trigger an alarm regardless of the park position. Lifting a vehicle in order to deactivate certain systems is a common trick used by thieves. Inclination sensing combats this technique and ultrasonic protection soothes once-friendly neighbors weary of those midnight false alarms.

It’s Saturday, which means you have chores to do. You jump in your minivan and turn the ignition. Without being told, your favorite song is cued, your seat is automatically heated to your preferred temperature, and you are reminded of about how many miles you can drive until you need gas. “Oh,” you think, “I’ll get gas first.” With the touch of a button, your navigation system shows your current location and the price of gas at the five nearest gas stations.

Welcome to the world of telematics and the new wave of automotive in-car technology that’s quickly finding its way into our vehicles.

Telematics is deeply embedded hardware, software and telecommunications systems that provide an increasingly wide range of applications that serve our vehicles. These applications can enable safety, security, monitoring of vehicle health and remote diagnostics services. For the driver and passengers, telematics systems can provide dynamic location-based services such as navigation, traffic information, emergency assistance and a suite of other driver services based on two-way connectivity.

The icing on the cake is the idea of bringing the Internet to your vehicle. Automakers are working with Web companies to devise ways of connecting this technology intelligently, and advertisers are ready to jump on board and make it cost-effective, all to integrate your vehicle into the connected world.

Today’s vehicles are already providing a glimpse of what lies ahead. Many already have their own personal computer, their own cell phone and a display monitor. Add a keyboard or touch pad in-dash and the possibilities are endless. It all depends on how much information about yourself you are willing to provide. Data such as your blood type, favorite restaurants and even the stocks you own can prove useful. Ultimately, you will be able to tell your vehicle what you want it to do and when. Want an alert sent to your cell phone if your vehicle alarm goes off? Want to let your significant other know if your airbag has been deployed? Want to know when you’re driving by your favorite coffee shop? Easy to do; your vehicle will be as smart as you let it be.

Global automakers are working toward making telematics the core of the connected vehicle, and they have a strong incentive to integrate this technology as quickly as possible. The competition from connected mobile devices has clearly acted as a very powerful stimulant. Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs) and smart phones are grabbing the consumer’s fancy, and navigation systems are on a lot of wish lists.

PND manufacturers are heavily reliant on sales and are aiming their brand of navigation as a service product. As more devices have navigation capabilities, it won’t be about the hardware but about the service – something that provides two-way communication and lends itself to the consumer’s lifestyle.

Even automakers are realizing that it’s the suite of services that will help them achieve success. The wireless mobile and wireless automotive communities are fighting tooth and nail to win consumers’ hearts and minds.

One industry that is highly interested in telematics is the insurance industry. As more in-car technologies become available, automotive insurers have the opportunity to collect driver data with as much or as little granularity as they desire. They can monitor vehicle location, speed and driving times, or they can collect data on specific, narrowly defined events, such as hard braking. With better underlying data and the accompanying ability to price risk more accurately, insurers can roll out new types of products, often targeted at customers previously considered uninsurable. Information collected in the vehicle can also be used during the claims process. The overwhelming obstacle is the business issue of cost.

This is where advertisers are chomping at the bit to jump on board. Enabling these systems in your vehicle carries a cost, whether it’s a monthly subscription based on usage or a flat fee, and bringing advertisers into your vehicle can lower the cost considerably. So whenever you download a movie into your vehicle for the kids to watch on the next trip, it’s likely to be sponsored by an online movie provider. A major quick lube company will gladly make arrangements for your next scheduled oil change.

Advertisers also see the value of “knowing where you’re going” as a valuable customer relationship management tool. Remember those Saturday chores? Heading to a home improvement store? A telematics- equipped vehicle offers advertisers sophisticated, location-based options never before available. It’s all about capturing a consumer when they’re ready to make a decision. Let your system know you’re going to a home improvement store, and you get a quick glimpse at a discount being offered by one of the major chains. Once your vehicle is detected going to that location, the incentive is activated. You get something in return for sharing your data. Advertisers love that.