#telematics

Believe it or not, imaging technology plays an important role in the cars and trucks we drive. No, this has nothing to do with the selfies you snap when you’re stuck in rush-hour traffic. Instead it involves advanced vehicle hardware.

Where is in-car connectivity going in the future? A group of high-level industry experts weighed in on this pressing question yesterday at Telematics Update Detroit.

The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) is an annual report that’s closely followed by both automakers and consumers. It measures problems reported by vehicle buyers during the first 90 days of ownership. The research firm released its 2013 findings today at an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit and the report was full of surprises.

MyFord Touch and Sync are helping to drive higher customer satisfaction rates, the automaker said today.

Building up the capabilities of its Blue Link telematics system Hyundai just revealed Assurance Connected Care at the New York International Auto Show, an advanced connectivity system that offers drivers a wide range of convenience and safety features.

Automakers may talk a big game about preventing distracted driving and improving safety, but at the same time they continue to provide distracting infotainment systems.

One of the more promising items Chevrolet plans to showcase during the L.A. Auto Show later this month isn’t a car at all.

Mercedes customers in Europe who drive a car equipped with “Comand” are getting access to the brand’s app store first previewed at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

Unveiled at the CTIA Wireless Association’s Enterprise and Applications conference in Sand Diego, Cadillac‘s new CUE system promises to be the most advanced in-car telematics interface. Rivaling system’s like MyFordTouch, it’s also designed to be easy to use and understand, even for novices.

Ford and Toyota shocked the automotive world with the announcement that the two companies will join forces to create a new hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs.

Following on from a demonstration back in February, at the DistribuTECH conference in San Diego, General Motors, in conjunction with OnStar, is in the process of launching a real world Smart Grid program for electric vehicles, beginning with a pilot project, set to debut later this year.

At first glance, the pairing of Toyota and Microsoft might make some a little uneasy. The prospect of unintended acceleration and “the blue screen of death” that appears on Windows computers might be the most terrifying technological catastrophe known to man.

Nevertheless, the two companies will be collaborating, but only as far as telematics. Ford and Microsoft already have their SYNC system to control things like in-car entertainment systems. The Toyota system will go beyond this facet, and is supposed to include some kind of “cloud-computing” platform, but with the partnership just forged, there are no real details pertaining to the program.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

Hyundai is taking a bold step into the world of in-car telematics with their BlueLink system. Much like GM’s OnStar, BlueLink can provide directions, schedule servicing, remotely lock or unlock the car doors, notify emergency services in case of a crash and remotely start the car, with the ability to pre-heat or cool the vehicle based on your preferences.

Other cool (and slightly spooky) features include an automatic slowdown feature in case your vehicle is reported stolen and being pursued by the police, and a feature known as “geofencing” that sends the driver a text message of the vehicle strays outside of a demarcated area. Looks like breaking curfew will be a thing of the past for children of Hyundai owners.

BlueLink will initially roll out on the Sonata and a “youth-focused model” (aka the Veloster) this summer, but will extend to the entire Hyundai range by 2013.

[Source: Hyundai]

Press release after the jump