BMW Announces its Next-Gen Digital Key Technology

BMW announced today an update to its digital key technology that the automaker plans to introduce by the end of the year. BMW’s updated Digital Key will be enhanced by the ultra-wideband (UWB)-based release 3.0. This will offer maximum anti-theft protection and enable precise localization between the device and the vehicle.

FutureCar Staff 2019-11-12 11:10 PT

HAAS Alert Seeks to Improve Road Safety by Notifying Drivers When Emergency Vehicles Are Nearby

Mobility startup HAAS Alert developed an emergency alert system it calls the “HAAS Alert Safety Cloud” that sends warnings directly to a nearby vehicles via the infotainment system when emergency vehicles are nearby or actively responding to a scene. The company’s mission is to eliminate preventable roadway collisions involving emergency vehicles.

Eric Walz2019-10-11 13:15 PT

General Motors Vehicles Will Have Google Assistant Built-in Starting in 2021

Drivers of GM vehicles will soon be able to use Google Assistant and other Google products in their cars without having to sync their smartphones. GM said it will work with Google to bring new infotainment options for a voice assistant, embedded navigation and in-vehicle applications to Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles around the world beginning in 2021.

Eric Walz2019-09-05 13:15 PT

HERE Technologies Making it Easier for Drivers to Navigate with New Partnership

A new partnership was announced today between industry leading mapping and location platform service provider HERE Technologies and Total Traffic & Weather Network (TTWN), the largest provider of traffic, weather, news and sports reports. The partnership will offer drivers another way to help avoid traffic, by incorporating precise real-time traffic information from TTWN in location services provided by HERE.

FutureCar Staff 2019-06-03 15:30 PT

GM Says its Vehicle Lineup Will Be Capable of Receiving OTA Updates Beginning in 2023

Following the footsteps of electric automaker Tesla, General Motors said on Monday that all of its future models will be able to receive over-the-air updates by 2023.

Eric Walz2019-05-20 12:12 PT

FCC Will Reconsider Opening the 5.9 GHz Band for Wi-Fi & Connected Cars

​The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to vote next month on launching a new review of a key band of the 5.9 Ghz spectrum that has been reserved for automakers that could boost Wi-Fi use, a person briefed on the matter said on Tuesday. According to the FCC, the increase in spectrum will allow automakers to improve advanced driver assist systems.

Eric Walz2019-05-14 14:08 PT

Jaguar Land Rover is Testing ‘Smart Wallet’ Tech to Pay Drivers in Cryptocurrency for Sharing Data

​Britain's largest automaker Jaguar Land Rover said on Monday it is testing software that will allow drivers of its vehicles to earn the IOTA cryptocurrency as a reward for sharing vehicle data.

FutureCar Staff 2019-04-29 10:58 PT

Toyota Halts Plans to Include Short-Range Communications Tech in Vehicles for the U.S. Market

Toyota Motor Corp is abandoning plans to install Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) Technology in its vehicles. The technology enables vehicles to communicate with other nearby vehicles, infrastructure, traffic signals and other smart city infrastructure.

Eric Walz2019-04-27 06:00 PT

Volkswagen AG Creates a New Division to Focus on Vehicle Software & Services

As automobiles become internet connected devices filled with more high-tech features, an increasing focus of automakers is on passenger experience and mobility services rather than a vehicle’s mechanical systems. To support this effort, German automaker Volkswagen AG created a new division named “Digital Car and Services”. The new division will focus on bringing more robust software into Volkswagen AG vehicles to provide a better mobility experience to passengers.

Eric Walz2019-02-25 15:00 PT

HERE Technologies Develops New Map Data That Includes Cell Signal Strength for Connected Cars

Mapping company HERE Technologies​ has partnered with Continual, a leading provider of connected car and subscriber analytics to developed a new map data set called HERE Cellular Signals, which includes the strength of cellular networks around the world. To create HERE Cellular Signals, HERE fused its global radio (cellular) map with its leading GPS map of the road network.

FutureCar Staff 2019-02-20 13:27 PT

Audi’s New Traffic Advisory System Helps Drivers Catch Green Lights

Luxury automaker Audi has improved upon its Traffic Light Information system by adding a Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA) feature, to help driver’s avoid the frustration of getting stopped by red traffic lights. The system works by suggesting the the optimal driving speed, so that a upcoming traffic signal is more likely to be green as the vehicle approaches.

FutureCar Staff 2019-02-19 13:24 PT

Polestar Launches Interactive Preview of its Android-powered Infotainment System

Polestar, the luxury electric brand of China’s Geely and parent company of Volvo, has launched an interactive website allowing users to preview its new Android-based infotainment system in the upcoming Polestar 2 electric vehicle.

Eric Walz2019-01-23 12:39 PT

Volkswagen Buys Controlling Stake in Volvo's 'WirelessCar' Unit

German automaker Volkswagen is buying a controlling stake in Volvo’s WirelessCar, a digital service developer specializing in connected vehicle services.

FutureCar Staff 2018-12-19 11:26 PT

Jaguar Land Rover Previews New Tech That Works to Keep Traffic Lights Green

Jaguar Land Rover is trailing a new technology called The Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA) system, which allows cars to “talk” to traffic lights and inform the driver the speed they should drive as they approach intersections or traffic signals.

Eric Walz2018-11-15 13:05 PT

President Trump Signs Order to Set U.S. Spectrum Strategy for 5G Networks

On Thursday, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum directing the Commerce Department to develop a long-term comprehensive national spectrum strategy to prepare for the introduction of next-generation 5G wireless networks. 5G network speeds are a key requirement for the commercial roll-out of autonomous driving and connected car technology.

FutureCar Staff 2018-10-25 17:36 PT

Avis Teams up With Ford to Connect 35,000 Vehicles in its Rental Fleet

Rental car company Avis Budget Group Inc. announced an agreement with the Ford Motor Co. to connect more than 35,000 Ford vehicles in Avis’ U.S. fleet. The connected vehicles will also provide valuable vehicle data to Avis, to help to car rental company manage its fleet of Ford vehicles.

Eric Walz2018-10-23 11:23 PT

AT&T and Harmon Announce the Harman Spark, a Device That Turns Any Vehicle Into a Connected Car

Telecommunications giant AT&T and Harmon, a division of Samsung best known for its high-end audio products, have co-developed a new device called the Harman Spark, which turns any ordinary vehicle into a connected car.

FutureCar Staff 2018-09-26 16:12 PT

Volvo Calls for Universal Standard for Autonomous Car Communication

With the new 360c autonomous concept, Volvo Cars is addressing one of the main challenges around the introduction of autonomous technology. Volvo is calling for a new, global standard in how autonomous vehicles communicate with all other road users.

FutureCar Staff 2018-09-05 16:50 PT

Volkswagen to Invest $4 Billion in a Operating System for Connected Cars

German automaker Volkswagen announced it will invest 3.5 billion euros ($4 billion) by 2025 to build digital businesses and products including a cloud computing-based platform to connect vehicles and customers to offer services such as car sharing. VW plans to be a world leader in e-mobility services.

Eric Walz2018-08-23 13:55 PT

GM’s Embedded In-Dash Fuel Payment Service Goes Live at Shell Gas Stations

GM has begun the automotive industry's first-ever embedded, in-dash fuel payment and loyalty experience with Shell gas stations. Customers refueling their eligible Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles at Shell stations, will be able to use the Shell Pay & Save app available from the GM Marketplace to pay for their fuel directly from their vehicles' infotainment screen.

Eric Walz2018-08-17 11:44 PT