It looks like the PHBs are trying to figure out how to monetize a low latency car-car (and car-highway) data network before it is even deployed. Here's a cutting from a recent editorial in Automotive Engineering (Society of Automotive Engineers, SAE), discussing 5.9-GHz dedicated short range communications (DSRC).
Some observers feel that advertising may be sent to vehicles to help offset some of the cost. That's especially true for vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, which will require roadside beacons. DSRC data may also be sent to data-processing centers. Ads could help pay for these installations.
"Many models rely on some form of advertising," said Joe Averkamp, Senior Director, Technology, Policy & Strategy, at Xerox. "You need to make sure it's subtle and not distracting."
DSRC has multiple channels, so it's possible that one could be used to send localized ads or other information. That will depend on how bands are allocated.
"Advertising questions are still unresolved," said Mike Shulman, Ford's Global Driver Assistance and Active Safety Manager. "Seven DSRC channels have been allocated. Safety messages will go on one channel, things like traffic-light communications could go on another. An ad message channel has not been defined."
Some managers feel that advertisers will build an alternative infrastructure in the years before regulators mandate V2X and automakers start shipping equipped vehicles.
And GM appears to have already patented V2V and V2X adverts.
Knowing GM, this is probably a defensive patent, to plant a stake in the ground in case a patent troll comes along.
(Score: 2) by inertnet on Monday December 14 2015, @09:10AM
As long as it can all be easily blocked by choice. I won't allow any ads in my car ever. I even turn the radio down or change channels as soon as they start quacking ads.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by c0lo on Monday December 14 2015, @09:27AM
You won't own a car** - transport will be provided gratis, supported by ads, by one of Uber/Google/Apple driverless cars
--
** unless you'll build the car yourself - but then, it won't be licenced on public roads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by inertnet on Monday December 14 2015, @10:02AM
I don't know if Ill be around that long. But I'm sure there will be a way around in car ads for people like cops, or the happy few.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by AnonymousCowardNoMore on Monday December 14 2015, @06:36PM
I rather suspect you will BUY a car—which you will not own thanks to EULA magic—that will provide transport—at your own cost—and yet is "supported" by ads. Call me cynical if you want but that's pretty much what I'm seeing in every industry these days.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Monday December 14 2015, @11:11PM
Fine with me. Just as long as it's not powered by my eyeballs we will be fine.
I expect that "augmented reality blockers" will be a huge hit. Combine noise suppressing headphones, Google glasses, and a hoodie, and I'm apparently equipped with the real life adblockers that I unfortunately need.
If it is run by my eyeballs.... well walking is really healthy for you.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2) by davester666 on Monday December 14 2015, @10:21AM
It's unlikely any of these systems are a money-losing proposition. The NSA will pay for unfettered access to this information, and since it is 'new', as in, invented after the constitution, it isn't covered by it.
Somewhere, someone is being secretly filmed beating off to the idea of being able to track every car in every significant country, along with how many occupants and possibly even who all the occupants are. Can't wait to see the upload on porntube.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by VLM on Monday December 14 2015, @02:42PM
What makes you think they're not already doing this, by sniffing MAC addresses?
I hesitate to pimp Hak5, although its not that bad, but they had a segment last spring along the lines of hardware is already available to sniff and identify cars based on the RF tire pressure transducer serial numbers.
You need one really good camera pix to match the plate to the BT MAC and/or tire pressure serial numbers, and you're good to go. You have to be careful sniffing BT MACs because you might end up matching the specific phone of a passenger/driver not the car stereo itself.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anal Pumpernickel on Monday December 14 2015, @10:31AM
As long as it can all be easily blocked by choice.
That would mean you control the device. But with non-free proprietary user-subjugating software, as well as digital restrictions management, good luck with that. You are but a slave in that case. That's why none of these driver-less cars or cars filled with computers interest me: The chance of them being entirely Free Software is slim to none.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 14 2015, @11:09AM
I bet you're one of the people who thinks that cell phones should also be turned off *by choice* when driving.
Ads distracting from driving should be illegal. Non-distracting ads don't exist, because ads are designed to get your attention.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 15 2015, @01:38AM
The ads are for consumption by the human occupants, not by the driving software.