In this technically advancing world where everything is becoming smart, Smart Vehicles isn’t a big surprise. But what exactly are Smart Vehicles? In simple terms, they are vehicles that can interact or talk with each other, the surroundings, and humans. This interaction is made possible using sensors, microprocessors, and circuit boards. Smart vehicles are vehicles embedded with IoT technologies, making the vehicle intelligent, efficient, safe, and comfortable for driving.

IoT in vehicles introduced in 1996 by General Motors who first introduced connected cars in the market with OnStar. Originally starting off with voice only, later they added the features of GPS location in coordination with help centres. Following the success of General Motors, other manufacturers also decided to take a dip in the river and the connected car revolution began.

Evolution of IoT in Vehicles

Ever since 1996, Technologies in smart vehicles kept evolving at a very fast rate. The advancements over the years are –

• In 2001, Remote diagnostics was introduced.
• In 2003, navigation instructions could be given visually or verbally, and vehicle health reports services were included.
• By 2007, the technology of being able to send, receive, and store information by the means of telecommunication was introduced.
• In 2014, Audi was the first ever to offer access to 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspots, although General Motors was the first to do the mass deployment of the 4G LTE technology.

The Automobile Association also introduced the Car Genie in the UK. Here the customers were directly connected to the breakdown services. This helped them maintain better car health and prevent any other issue related to breakdown.

Ever since these technologies have just been getting more advanced. Take for example – The Pothole Detection Technology developed by Ford. Or the Self breaking, Self-parking, and Pedal-less driving technologies by MG Motors in their MG Gloster.

IoT Technologies used for Smart Vehicles

The two major ways of connecting the Vehicles to IoT are embedded and tethered. While the embedded type of Vehicles uses build-in antennas and chipsets; tethered Vehicles use hardware which enables them to connect with their vehicle using their smartphone.

The Smart Vehicle has a Central Processing Unit which is used for the implementation of applications and communication protocols; A wireless transceiver for Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) data transmission; A GPS or Global Positioning Service for navigation services; An input/output interface for interaction between humans and the system; And lastly and importantly, sensors laid inside and outside the vehicle for different purposes and measurements.

Some of the most important sensors include – The braking system which consists of the parking brake and the anti-lock brake system, the crash sensors, the engine control unit, the electronic steering, the lighting system, seat belt sensors, tire pressure monitoring systems, the integrated starter generator, the power distribution, and connectivity and so on. Another very important component would be the vehicle-mounted cameras, which displays images on the console.

The advancing technologies for Smart Vehicles are:

ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

This is a very important safety feature. It alerts the driver of any potential threat on the road so that the driver can take control of the car in time. Features included are Lane Departure Warning Systems, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Collision Warning Systems, Parking Assistance Systems, and, Night Vision Systems. There are three types of ADAS systems used: Vision-Based, RADAR-Based and, LIDAR-Based.

1. Vision-Based ADAS Systems

are like the eyes of the vehicle. They are comprised of Automotive Cameras, installed at the front, rear, as well as both sides of the vehicle. It also uses Image signal processing algorithms. They help provide assistance in parking, object recognition, lane change assistance, and also send collision warning alerts to the driver.

2. RADAR-Based ADAS Systems

help provide the driver information in low visibility conditions which Vision-Based ADAS systems cannot provide. They have longer range and can also very effectively detect the velocity and position of objects and other vehicles.

3. LIDAR-Based ADAS Systems

are much more advanced than Vision and RADAR based systems. LIDAR or Light Detecting Imaging and Ranging can also differentiate between different objects on the bases of on-road objects. They are efficient enough to create an accurate 3D map of the surroundings which results in safer driving.

4. AEB or Autonomous Emergency Braking –

In highly crowded places, bad traffic areas, or accident-prone areas, this feature can save lives! This automatically applies full brakes when it detects a frontal collision. Before the application of brakes, the driver is given a warning about the collision; but in case the driver fails to take notice or avoid it, the car does it for you! This has recently been implemented in MG Gloster.

5. Adaptive Cruise Control –

This feature makes your driving experience very comfortable and easy. It uses cameras, LIDAR, and RADAR technologies. This automatically sets a required distance between your vehicle and any vehicle in front of it. This can give you hands and legs free driving experience. This may not be very effective in heavy traffic regions, but it can detect lanes and gets the car back in the correct lane by itself. The driver can have a very relaxing and comfortable drive without worrying about any casualties since this car is a better driver already!

Enhanced Gesture Control

Along with Knobs and Voice controls, this allows the driver to write/touch and give inputs to the vehicle as characters. Or just a touch on what song to play, making it easier to access the features of the car. This is also known as MII or Multi-Media Interface. It was introduced by Audi in 2011.

Augmented Head-up Display

This displays information like speed, navigation details, or even an incoming call on the windscreen. This ensures that your eyes are never off the road. Although this may not work in very bright conditions, it will ensure your eyes are never off the road.

Communication between vehicles

This isn’t exactly vehicles talking with each other, but it is vehicles talking to you about another vehicle. It gives you information about the location/ speed of the other vehicle. It also gives information about vehicles coming from your blind spot which helps avoid collisions. This will lead to smoother movement of traffic and less congestion of roads.

Interaction with Smartphones

Bluetooth and LAN connections enable interaction between the phone and system. This allows us to perform multiple functions like play music, or even call someone. Recently automakers are trying to integrate smartphones with the vehicles to a different level altogether. The smartphone’s functionality will now be accessible through voice commands or even steering wheel controls! Currently, Honda is working on integrating Apple’s Siri Eyes Free allowing you to access iOS features from the steering itself.

Applications and Firmware

Having a car with the same applications as your phone makes the driving experience so much better! Toyota has already launched this idea in the form of “Vii” or Vehicle, Interactive, Internet. This not only provides information about spots nearby but also lets you stay connected to your loved ones all times. This also allows you to customize the exterior of your car!
Firmware updates improve features of the car such as tire pressure, radio, charging capacity, and even Wi-Fi connectivity. Tesla Model S, an electric car already has all such features.

LTE or Long Term Evaluation

This is based on trying to make the car a Wi-Fi hotspot in itself. Although there is inbuilt GPS in most cars that work without the internet, it doesn’t provide live traffic updates which that is a disadvantage. But with LTE, this problem is solved easily. Not only will we get better quality of online radio, but also live updates and faster loading of live maps! Also, having your car as a Hotspot in itself gives you the freedom to work with Wi-Fi through your travel.

Smart Home Integration

This technology was introduced in 2017 with the merger of Alexa with Ford and Amazon. Using this, in-car commands can be given via the connection of the infotainment system to home lighting, carport doors, or any other connected gadget.

Future Prospects of IoT in Smart Vehicles

IoT has already advanced so much in smart vehicles, so what’s next?

These technological advancements are currently a luxury and only very high-end vehicles have them; but in the future, this won’t be a luxury anymore. Every automaker is integrating these advancements in their vehicle and in a few years, this will be a necessity.

The future not only holds this necessity but also new features like robot taxi’s/cars where no human intervention requires. Another aspect would be a vehicle on call; where you can directly connect with your car just the way you connect with your driver, i.e., overcall. There may even come a technology where the car reads our calendar/schedule and locates us and without us having to call it, it is present according to its time. Self-servicing upon due date, monthly self-cleaning, and conditioning for itself; the car will be like another human, just in the form of a robot.

A concept of smart highways is also present. This will help the smart Vehicle in smoother driving and monitor it as well in the process.

So are we ready?

IoT is going to change the future more than anyone could have ever imagined; and this change is going to be not only for the good but for the best! Not only will safety be enhanced, but the driving experience is going to change making it more comfortable and convenient. This will also reduce on-road accidents which are at a very high rate today. And the most important and best part, It will lead to a greener and safer planet: The need of the moment. So let’s dive in, and enjoy the comfort that the future beholds!