What Students in an Automotive Technology Program Should Know About Connectivity in Cars
If you’re not familiar with connectivity, it’s an automotive technology concept that will only become more popular in the future. The future of vehicle technology is often described using the acronym “CASE,” which refers to: Connectivity, Autonomous Driving, Electrification, and Shared Mobility. Today, most innovations in automotive technology are geared in the direction of one of these categories, with the overall result of improving the consumer’s experience behind the wheel, enhancing vehicle safety and efficiency, and reducing the environmental impact of vehicles. As a general concept, connectivity refers to the interconnection between various applications, systems, and platforms. With vehicles becoming increasingly intelligent, the concept of vehicle connectivity has come into play, referring to the capacity of a vehicle to connect with external systems. If you’re seeking a career in automotive technology, read on to discover more about connectivity in cars, and what’s in store for the future of connected vehicles.
What Is Connectivity? The Concept Defined for Automotive Technology Program Students
Connectivity is defined as the interconnectedness of the various technological systems, applications and platforms that we rely upon today. For example, the ability to control a home security system from a smartphone application is one way that connectivity can be seen in everyday life. In vehicles, connectivity refers to the ability to share internet access and exchange data with devices within and outside of the vehicle itself. With vehicle connectivity, data and personalized information can be connected and shared across different systems, resulting in greater intelligence, safety and efficiency in many aspects of the driver’s experience. Today, there are many different connectivity options integrated within vehicles. After completing your automotive technology program, some of the most notable examples you may see include NissanConnect, General Motors OnStar, Toyota Connected Services and more. These connected services allow manufacturers to obtain data about how drivers use vehicles, how vehicles operate and how they interact with their surroundings.
Types of Connectivity in Vehicles
There are many different types of vehicle connectivity, all of which work to provide data that improves vehicle safety, enhances the customer driving experience, and improves understanding of driver behaviours as well as traffic patterns. Single vehicle applications are connectivity technologies which enhance the experience of drivers behind the wheel. After completing your automotive technology course, you’ll become familiar with built-in navigation systems, smartphone integration, and various multimedia features as standard in vehicles. Another aspect of connectivity, “vehicle to everything technologies” (V2X) are what facilitate the transmission of data between vehicles, pedestrians, networks, infrastructure, and even with the cloud.
The Future of Vehicle Connectivity
The potential offered by vehicle connectivity to the automotive technology industry is not something to ignore. For one, the collection of data facilitated by vehicle connectivity can be used to enhance autonomous vehicle development, providing valuable information which helps technologies to sense hazards, road conditions, and other vehicles. Data sent from different sources – such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure – will give autonomous vehicles access to information beyond their own intelligent sensors, making connectivity invaluable in the improvement of autonomous technologies. Additionally, connectivity will be important in improving shared mobility technology, allowing for improved ride sharing and car sharing technologies. Greater vehicle connectivity will also lead to improved navigation capabilities, as real-time traffic data will be easier to obtain and transmit.
If you’re entering a career in the automotive technology industry, you’ll see connectivity will continue to transform the automotive industry for years to come.
Searching for a place to complete your automotive technology training in Toronto?
Launch a career in the exciting industry of automotive technology with a program at ATC Toronto!
