OEMs aren't just connecting cars for the fun of it; the idea is to actually improve their customers' experience with the cars. But right now, we're still missing an actual killer app—and to be honest, data on how many customers renew those cell contracts for their vehicles. A survey out this week from Solace that polled 1,500 connected car owners found that they still don't really trust the technology.
[...] But the bit of Solace's survey I found most interesting was the widespread ignorance regarding data collection. Only 38 percent of connected car drivers knew that their cars could store personally identifiable information [PII] about them, with 48 percent unaware this was the case. And that's important because that PII is being viewed as a goldmine.
[...] "[The fuel companies] want to offer you more than fuel," [Ben] Volkow said. "Many times, the fuel stations are also interested in anonymized data—why do some people always stop, do they take whatever's available or a specific brand, places to build new stations, and so on."
What's more, unlike selling cars, selling data is a high-margin business—between 80- and 90-percent profit. "A big part of the investment is already done," he said. "The databases are built, SIMs and modems are in the cars; they've crossed the Rubicon."
[...] Volkow thinks that drivers will be happy to share this data, as long as they get some value out of it, like free servicing or micropayments per mile traveled. But he also thinks consumer education is vital. "People tend to be more demanding when it comes to cars; they don't think of them as the same as mobile devices. You have to convince them there's a benefit," he told me.
Source: ArsTechnica
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Saturday February 24 2018, @08:08PM (1 child)
I'm forced to disagree with you. Some, probably many, people are skilled in certain areas and clueless in others. I've known an excellent mechanic who is a lousy and reckless driver. I've observed many who appear to fit into that categorization.
Look, just let me ask how current are your personal backups? You *know* that backups are important, yet most people don't keep them current. It doesn't matter how skilled you are. Well, it does matter. If you're skilled you have the capability to keep your backups current. But this sure doesn't mean you do. (Mine are currently three days old, not bad, but they should be more current.)
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Monday February 26 2018, @04:06AM
You've missed the point, which was best illustrated in "the fifth element": future systems will directly rat you to the cops and insurance company.
Just went over the speed limit? Here's a little voice replacing your music or phone, telling you how much the ticket will be.
Even if not instantaneous: Drive all day, get home to a mail from your insurance agent telling you that you've been bumped into the next higher rate based today's car report.
How many times will people get their wallet tazed before they start to comply? The ones who don't will quickly lose their license. Did you know you will have to scan your license for your car to start? You had better be in the same weight ballpark as the license says, or it won't...
Welcome to the future, citizen... Technology will save lives. You may resume singing silly songs about freedom.