Automatic's OBD-II telematics solution moves to the cloud

Aftermarket telematics company Automatic has released their latest product, the Automatic Pro. This aftermarket device plugs into your car's standard diagnostics port (OBD-II) to connect your car to the digital integration world. Uses include reading car diagnostic codes, analyzing driving behavior, providing emergency services and opening your car up to select 3rd party capabilities through the use of compatible apps.

The new Automatic Pro has an integral 3G data connection for direct communication to the cloud. The previous generation of the product required a bluetooth connection to a smartphone. Automatic has priced the Automatic Pro in a way that does not require service fees or a separate 3G data plan.

More information available here.

Ford continues its buying and investing binge

The news from the Ford Smart Mobility press event that Ford made a substantial investment in Velodyne was widely reported. It turns out, that was only part of the story. It was also announced that Ford has acquired SAIPS, an Israeli company that specializes in machine learning to beef up Ford's expertise in self-driving machine learning and computer vision technology.

Ford has also has a new exclusive licensing agreement with Nirenberg Neuroscience, a machine vision company that has developed a machine vision platform for performing navigation, object recognition, facial recognition and other functions. Ford can use this technology to bring humanlike intelligence to their autonomous cars.

Finally, an investment in Civil Maps will benefit Ford in the area of 3D high resolution mapping.

Read Ford's press release here.

Ford Sync 3 and drones could save your life someday

Most think of Ford Sync 3 as a way to control your tunes or call the office using voice recognition. Who could imagine that Ford Sync 3 might actually save your life someday? That's the goal behind the DJI Developer Challenge in partnership with Ford.

Drone company DJI has partnered with Ford and others, for the DJI Developer Challenge. With Ford's involvement, the goal will be for 3rd party developers to create a method of controlling drones through Ford Sync 3 for unmanned search and rescue missions. This is all part of Ford's Smart Mobility initiative.

Great stuff right there.

ABI Research needs to do better research

ABI Research has a posted a report summary today discussing the battle between proprietary and open-sourced "software defined cockpits."  In the summary they make this curious statement: "Yet, though car OEMs like Audi, BMW, Kia, and Toyota Motor, currently use Google’s Android Auto technology for search, map, and other functions, ABI Research predicts Android N will likely not appear in cars before 2020."

Toyota? Not a chance. It is widely (and accurately) reported that Toyota is not implementing Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in any vehicle, stubbornly staying with their own (in my opinion, horrible) infotainment solution.

ABI Research needs to firm up its research a bit.

Ford goes big on autonomous cars w/ Smart Mobility presentation

Ford is going all-in on self-driving, autonomous car technology. Ford feels that within the decade autonomous cars will have as big of an impact on society as their assembly line did years before. Ford conducted a very detailed press event providing details of their Ford Smart Mobility initiative. Ford announced their intent to have a high-volume, fully autonomous SAE Level 4-capable vehicle in commercial operation in 2021 in a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service.

You can watch the entire 27 minute video from Ford's presentation.  Click here for source and discussion.