Nowadays, wearable technology holds the potential to disrupt any market. Thus, it is not a surprise that wearables have began to dabble around with car industry. For years, engineers have worked to build the future of wearables with connected cars. Integrating wearables into cars enables smarter and safer mobility. Keep on reading to find more details about how to make your car “smart”.
BMW – The MINI Augmented Vision Glass
At the very beginning of May, 2015, BMW publicly demonstrated the MINI augmented Vision Glass. The device is designed for both in-vehicle and out-of-car purposes with MINI app. The MINI augmented vision glass offers navigation information, speed limits and other related travel information for wearers via two stereoscopic HD displays. For outside of the car function, wearers are able to capture and record specific locations while walking around, for quick navigation when users return to their automobiles.
The Ford S-Max Concept
S-Max Concept combines a new style language with a new suit of interactive technologies that do everything from parking to monitoring heartbeat. S-Max Concept provides the ECG Heart Rate Monitoring Seat, which continuously monitors and records the driver’s heart rate. S-Max Concept promised to enable the function of heart attack detection. Then, it will notify emergency services as well as a notification to the driver to safely come to a stop. Beyond heart monitoring, S-Max Concept is able to monitor the Glucose Level Monitoring. Sensors and transmitter fob are equipped to continuously measure blood sugar levels in the driver. Another notification will send an alert if the level glucose becomes dangerously low. Moreover, the S-Max Concept’s system uses Ford SYNC with MyFord Touch to provide wireless access. It allows car-to-car communication. It means the car can response to random instances by braking or pulling off the road to avoid collisions through the data between cars and road infrastructure. On top of monitoring the driver, the car also displays updates of road conditions and various real-time hazards.
Hyundai Blue Link
Huyndai Blue Link is a car app which accesses features via your smartwatch such as Apple watch, Android Wear. Blue Link provides connected care. One of the key features of Huyndai Blue Link’s connected care is service link. This allows the user to conveniently schedule a car care appointment with your preferred dealer from your vehicle without picking up your phone. It also offers automatic collision notification, and S.O.S emergency assistance. In addition, Blue Link sends you a monthly vehicle “health report” to your email to alert you about your health driving performance. Blue Link delivers a more convenience way of driving through remote access that allows you to lock or unlock your car remotely, to set start time, temperature and especially to follow your car location in case it is stolen. Lastly, Blue Link offers a strong navigation system which connects to google maps efficiently.
Viper SmartStart
Viper SmartStart app is equipped with Android Wear smart watch to control your vehicle easily. By adding a Viper SmartStart module to the existing Viper remote start or security system in your car; therefore you can start, lock and unlock your car from virtually anywhere. Additionally, if you add a Viper SmartStart GPS module, you can locate your car, share activity on Facebook and set safety notifications if your car is speeding or goes where it’s not supposed to go. For even more convenience, you can add a Viper SmartKey module for your car which can unlock your car when it detects you’re approaching it, and lock again automatically once you walk away.
Volvo On Call
Volvo joined wearables with Volvo On Call in January 2015. Similar to BMW and VW offerings, Volvo app gives vehicle owners the ability to set a timer for the heater and air conditioning. Therefore, you can step into a comfortable interior temperature no matter the exterior conditions. Lastly, Volvo app allows you to check fuel level and direct parking garage.
Wearable devices are proven to exist as a complimentary device to already existing infrastructure. They are the bridge that combines multiple smart technologies, also known as the Internet of Things. Automakers know they can count on the wearable ecosystem. Thus, they have put much effort on innovate car system with the IoTs; leading to a new era of driver fitness and confidence.
