Today's cars can perform a lot more functions than just getting you from one place to another. Through telematics, the marriage of computers and telecommunications systems, manufacturers are offering a variety of vehicle features providing greater safety and security, hands-free communications and wireless access to a wide range of information and entertainment.
Safety, security and information services
Using speech recognition, GPS and cellular technologies, today's vehicles can provide onboard communication, navigation, emergency assistance and concierge services at the touch of a few buttons. Many vehicle manufacturers offer some form of these services in selected models and expect to expand them to nearly all models in the future. Currently, the most popular of these telematics services is GM's OnStar.
Telematics systems provide hands-free, voice-activated cellular phone service and a link to advisors who are on duty 24 hours a day. These advisors can help if you have an emergency, need directions or simply want to make reservations at your favorite restaurant. Newer systems also offer turn-by-turn navigation.
With some systems you can also subscribe to receive stock quotes, personal email, weather and traffic reports or other internet-based information. Lock your keys in the car again? These systems can send a signal that remotely unlocks your doors. In addition, via GPS they can track a vehicle if it's been stolen. The systems also can detect when one of your vehicle's air bags deploys and send help if needed, as well as provide remote diagnostics when a warning light comes on while you're driving.
OnStar is the most widely used service, with over five million subscribers. First introduced in 1997 on Cadillac models, OnStar currently is standard or offered as an option on more than 30 GM models.
In the future, GM may make OnStar technology available to competitors for implementation in their vehicles. For now, other brands that have similar systems include Toyota (Toyota Safety Connect), Mercedes-Benz (mbrace), Ford Sync with 911 Assist and Lexus (Enform).
While these systems are often installed at no charge and activated for free when the vehicle is purchased (as with GM vehicles), ongoing access to the features requires a monthly subscription that can equate to hundreds of dollars per year.
