In an increasingly interconnected world, the impacts of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) are expanding in many different directions. While the first things that might come to mind when we think of increased connectivity are our smartphones, the auto industry is one of the sectors that will be most affected by advances in 5G and IoT technology. Gartner, an analyst firm, has predicted that by 2023, the auto industry would comprise the largest market opportunity for 5G and IoT technologies.
If you’re interested in a career working with cars, here’s a look at some of the changes that could be coming to vehicles with 5G and the IoT.
What Those in Auto Careers Should Know About 5G and IoT
Advancements in the IoT have led to an increase in connected cars, and Business Insider Intelligence is predicting connected car shipments to increase to 77 million by 2025, up from 33 million in 2017. While connectivity began in the 2000s with features such as USB ports and Bluetooth, the connectivity automakers are implementing today is setting a whole new standard for the future of ‘smart’ cars. For those in automotive mechanic training, this could mean seeing cars that have a lot more tech inside of them. Smart technology will likely impact three major aspects of a vehicle’s capability; the telematics (determining the driver’s behaviour, engine diagnostics, and vehicle location and activity), V2X communication (how the vehicle interacts with the environment around it), and infotainment (catered to the occupants of the vehicle).
With developments in on-board communications systems and computation capability, cars themselves are becoming IoT devices not unlike smartphones. With 5G becoming more widespread, the potential uses of the IoT in vehicles is increasing. App integration within vehicles is soaring, with the use of navigation tools such as Waze replacing fixed GPS systems, and music apps such as Apple CarPlay and Spotify replacing traditional radios. With 5G, a vehicle’s driver and passengers will benefit from greater internet speed and bandwidth within the car. While many cars today feature a local hotspot for LTE connection, 5G means that streaming and connectivity will get a whole lot faster. Drivers will have greater access to information and media on the dashboard, and safety and vehicle health information will be smarter and more readily available.
5G and IoT Technology Is Good for Automakers Too
While those in auto careers might be thinking about how these technological advancements will affect repairs, it’s interesting to note that automakers could also have a few benefits to look forward to. Manufacturers will be able to access a greater amount of information from the vehicle, such as data on a vehicle’s performance and the habits of drivers. Increased connectivity could allow automakers to cater to the customer better, and also enable companies to release software updates when they’re available, protecting them in the event of a recall.
What the Future Could Look Like
While we are already witnessing the benefits of increased technological integration in vehicles, the future of connectivity is even more exciting. Increased 5G connectivity could revolutionize traditional features like the key fob, allowing drivers to unlock their cars more securely via smartphone. 5G could also lead to developments in car-sharing services and vehicle subscription services, with drivers able to use cloud-based profiles to access different vehicles in different locations with ease. Connectivity and cloud computing could lead the way to a greater ability to deploy autonomous vehicles, which could become more popular with time. Additionally, electric vehicles could also benefit from 5G technology, with greater accessibility and information about charging stations and optimized routes.
With these advances in technology, vehicles are becoming capable of more and more. While it’s certainly enough to keep any car professional on their toes, the future has never been more exciting.
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