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The World’s Smartest And Most Connected Car Companies
04 July 2016
We exist in the dawn of the digital age, an era where technology is advancing exponentially and all people and all things are becoming ever more connected every day.
As we sit back and watch the Internet of Things and emerging technology shape our world, we’re bearing witness to the rise of ‘the connected car’.
Technology has certainly enabled the rise of the connected car market, but mandates such as eCall in the EU, and a range of benefits for the whole automotive ecosystem — including increased opportunities for aftermarket hardware providers, software developers, and mobile network operators — are the things that are driving its growth.
The connected car is becoming a huge area of focus and growth, with big players from the field of telecoms and the Internet entering the market in a bid to win new customers. Many of the automotive industry’s most innovative and forward-thinking companies are among the proponents, with the likes of Volvo, Ford, Honda all appearing on Visiongain’s top 20 list as some of the most connected car companies in the world.
But two companies in particular that are leading the way are Tesla and Toyota. Both companies also made it onto the MIT Technology list of the 50 Smartest Companies in 2016, being celebrated for their in-car connectivity solutions and role in the automotive market’s growth to $35.7 billion.
Toyota’s Big Investment In AI and Autonomous Vehicles
Toyota is making waves in the artificial intelligence space, investing $1 billion in a new subsidiary called the Toyota Research Institute (TRI).
In a move similar to several large automakers trying to keep at the cutting edge, Toyota will use the institute to build AI products for vehicles and the home. In particular, the R&D facility will help the company move toward semiautonomous and autonomous vehicles in the longer term. Developments thus far have been more subtle and focused on incremental improvements such as enhanced parking and sensory capabilities.
The 4th Most Innovative Company In The World
Tesla (coming in at No. 4 on MIT’s list), are recognised by Visiongain for the advancement of its autopilot technology in the Model X and Model S.
In a strong bid for an autonomous driving future, Tesla is offering Model X and Model S owners autonomous functionality hardware upgrades for £1800 at point of sale or £2200 as an add-on later.
Customers can even trial the technology for free — a move Tesla hopes to entice owners in with by also allowing them to experience a feature known as Summon, explained here by the company:
Experience Tesla Autopilot
Try Autopilot Convenience Features and experience a stress-free commute. This one-month free trial enables automatic steering, speed, lane changing, and parking with Summon. Once your trial begins, you’ll receive an email with instructions for permanently upgrading your Tesla.
Check out the other companies that made the cut — you might be surprised by what you find.
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