Toyota to expand hybrid tech development

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Toyota has announced plans to expand the development of its hybrid technology over the coming years.

The car maker said it’s doing so as fuel consumption regulations “continue to strengthen” in some major countries.

Therefore, regions such as China, the US and Europe will need more environmentally friendly cars over the coming years.

As such, Toyota said by 2021, at least 60% of its...

By Rachael Power, 06 December 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Devices.

Gartner predicts connected car production to break 60 million by 2020

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Connected car production will grow from 12.4 million shipments at the end of this year to almost 61 million by 2020, according to the latest research note from analyst house Gartner.

The end of 2015 saw 6.8 million units globally, with 4.68m of those tethered – to a mobile device – and 2.17m embedded. 2017 will however see the turning point where embedded systems will dominate, with 11.1m compared to 9.97m tethered. By 2020, the numbers for embedded and tethered are predicted...

By James Bourne, 30 September 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Contextual data, Devices, Ecosystems.

Automatic launches connected car adapter with cellular signal

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San Francisco-based firm Automatic has launched its new Automatic Pro connected car adapter, which offers a cellular signal and has been described by the firm as the “future of the automotive ecosystem.”

The adapter no subscription fees and is focused on real-time connectivity and Internet of Things (IoT). The new flagship adapter is designed for consumers to experience connected car capabilities based on their interests and needs.

The adapter, which comes with an unlimited...

By Connected CarTech, 22 August 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Connectivity, Devices.

Hyundai expands free rollout of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in US

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Hyundai is expanding the use of smartphone integrations across the 2017 model year range in the US, with the software update compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto now available for free through MyHyundai.com.

The 2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport are now being built with both CarPlay and Android Auto support and will arrive at dealerships soon. All other 2017 model Hyundai vehicles with eligible Display Audio or Navigation systems include both smartphone integration solutions from...

By Connected CarTech, 09 August 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Android, Apps, CarPlay, Devices.

Spireon cites yearly connected device adoption as key in financial growth

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On the back of the addition of more than one million new connected devices over the past 12 months, Spireon has reported its 20th straight quarter of year-on-year revenue growth.

The addition in connected devices was witnessed across all major vehicle telematics segments, including new and used car dealers and lenders, small and medium sized fleets, transportation and trailer, rental car companies and consumer markets. Profitability more than doubled at the company that boasts over...

By Connected CarTech, 03 August 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Devices, Telematics .

Ford looks to foster interaction between cars and wearables in new lab

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Automotive giant Ford is launching the Automotive Wearables Experience laboratory in Michigan aiming to assess the potential of wearables and connected car technologies.

Gary Strumolo, global manager for vehicle design and infotronics, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, said: “As more consumers embrace smart watches, glasses and fitness bands, we hope to develop future applications that work with those devices to enhance in-car functionality and driver...

By Connected CarTech, 12 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Connectivity, Devices.

Volkswagen ensures mobile compatibility with RealVNC partnership

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Automotive giant Volkswagen has expanded a five-year relationship with RealVNC to enable it to ensure a consistent quality user experience in its cars – whatever handset the user is using.

Using its VNS Automotive Mirrorlink Certified solution car owners are able to pair their car with their smartphone. This then allows their devices to perform numerous functions within the car – from streaming movies to the backseats to running mapping applications on the centre...

By Liz Morrell, 07 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Devices, Ecosystems, Navigation.

Ethernet cables improve connected car efficiency

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The introduction of Automotive Ethernet would significantly reduce vehicle weight, and better manage the complex transfer of data within connected vehicles according to Ninad Deshpande, a specialist in Open Technologies at B&R Industrial Automation.

In a speech during the Automotive Megatrends conference in India, Deshpande said the introduction of Ethernet in the automobile...

By Liz Morrell, 15 December 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Connectivity, Devices.

New app and intelligent street pole from Etisalat aims to improve driver and pedestrian safety

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A multi-function smart pole was shown at the IoT World Forum in Dubai which could help to ensure pedestrian safety, detect speeding vehicles, and reduce electricity consumption.

The functionalities are just a few of the possibilities of the new smart pole street lamp from Etisalat, which can act as a streetlamp, security camera, and even a WiFi hotspot, the company claims. With...

By Liz Morrell, 07 December 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Devices.

Smartphone and 4G integration rises in Chinese cars

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The number of Chinese passenger vehicles with telematics capabilities rose 32.1% year-on-year to 1.8 million units in January-September 2015, according to a new report by Research In China.

The report found that 4G LTE technologies and smartphone integration has found wider applications among Chinese passenger vehicles. Manufacturers are also enriching in-vehicle infotainment and networking features for a better user experience.

OnStar dominates the Chinese passenger vehicle...

By Connected CarTech, 13 November 2015, 0 comments. Categories: Connectivity, Devices, Telematics .