Web on wheels to be standard soon?

KPMG

"Keeping Drivers Connected" infographic from "KPMG's Global Automotive Executive Survey 2012"

By Athima Chansanchai

For many Americans, car time is a necessary evil that gets them to and from the places responsible for their paychecks, but with some people delayed up to 74 hours a year in commuter traffic, the idea of being connected to the Web in the car?? aside from their phones?? could be one that gains traction to make the most of the time stuck in one's vehicle.

KPMG, an international network of audit/tax/advisory firms, recently surveyed auto execs and found that having the same amenities in a car as at home is a trend that is capturing the attention of the industry:

Car manufacturers and IT companies are realizing the car's potential as a gateway to the internet. But connectivity is about far more than just entertainment; the new technology enhances safety by helping vehicles communicate with their external environment. Respondents are uncertain about who will own the significant revenue streams associated with in-car 'infotainment' and connected solutions.

The full report?begins with a premise that clearly shows that the Internet is on the minds of those who responsible for putting wheels on the road:

Imagine the following scenario, involving an urban dweller,?possibly living in a mega-city like Beijing, Sao Paulo,?New York, London or Mumbai. As she walks out of her?apartment, her smartphone directs her to the nearest?available shared electric car, unlocks the door and starts the?engine. Once inside, she gets an immediate report on traffic?conditions and train times, voice messages from email and?a sample from her favorite band?s new album.

"Ubiquitous connectivity" figures prominently, as 63 percent of the 200 polled expect "a convergence of?the TIME (Telecommunications, Information technology, Media and Entertainment) and automotive industry," with the recognition that future customers will "demand?a symbiotic relationship between car?and IT solutions." Consumers may, in the near future, find that the cars they buy include not just built-in nav systems, but also Wi-Fi, "infotainment" and the means to make mobile payments.

The report brings up an interesting conflict in time between automakers and connectivity technology: the former takes a lot of time to develop and market, while the latter can spring solutions within months. There is an opportunity for automakers to take control, but it's a small window they must move quickly to take advantage of.

Microsoft has long had a stake in the auto industry, and continues to be a force through its partnerships with Toyota and the technology embedded in Fiats (Blue&Me), Fords (MyFord Touch) and Kia (Uvo) will propel it ahead of others in developing intelligent systems.

(Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

But what of the inevitable backlash to always being connected? With the ruckus over the National Transportation Safety Board's call for a ban on cellphone use while driving, this would push the debate to a whole new level, with so many features built-in. The board went so far as to recommend automakers implement technology that would disable phone use during driving, but this report seems to indicate that the industry is moving in the other direction. More distractions, more technology that would embed it into the vehicle. But there will always be distractions. Try to ban eating in the car or applying makeup? Right.?

Maybe if you're in a car that drives itself, this will be less of an issue. But for the near future, it's more likely you're going to go behind the wheel of a vehicle that gives you your Facebook News Feed, relevant tweets and allows you to search for .... whatever, and guide you there step-by-step. Is that a bad thing? You tell us.

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Check out Technolog on?Facebook, and on Twitter, follow?Athima Chansanchai, who is also trying to keep her head above water in the?Google+?stream.

Source: http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/05/9977131-web-on-wheels-to-be-standard-soon

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