Technological advancements have made their indelible mark on the automotive industry. In the digital world, cars are pivoting from sedans to SUVs and transitioning towards electric and hybrid alternatives. Concurring to a report published by Markets and Markets, the Indian automotive industry is projected to surpass USD 32.5 billion by 2025, growing at an annual rate of 22.2%. Therefore, the concept of connected cars has become a burning topic, ushering its way into the era of smart driving.
Advantages of Connected Car Technology in India
Safety has emerged as the immediate goal of connected cars in the country. A study titled ‘Road Accidents in India’ issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stresses the need for technological interventions in road safety. The report revealed that during the calendar year 2022, a total of 4,61,312 road accidents took place in India, claiming 1,68,491 lives. Thus, in this regard, connected car technology can play an important role in bringing these numbers.
Automatic car features such as crash alerts, emergency assistance, and driver assistance mechanisms are being integrated into cars in order to increase car safety. In addition to this, connected car solutions allow for enhanced traffic management. With real-time traffic warnings and intelligent routing, drivers can easily avoid heavy traffic areas and choose alternative courses to reach their destinations. Furthermore, connected cars contribute to smart initiatives by sharing insights into traffic patterns, pollution levels, and parking availability. This enables authorities to make more informed decisions and optimize urban mobile management.
Another vital component of connected car technologies is the integration of smartphones. Utilizing mobile connectivity to enhance the driving experience has become quite critical with the growing adoption of smartphones in the country. Thus, automakers are creating solutions that efficiently connect cell phones with the vehicle’s entertainment system. As per industry experts, Indian automakers are looking forward to the concept of connected cars. It is interesting to note that, in recent years, they have taken significant steps toward adapting to connected car technologies.
Connected car technology has also enabled drive advancements in vehicle maintenance and performance. Diagnostic features, such as proactive monitoring of vehicles, allow manufacturers and service providers to pinpoint and address potential problems before they arise. This not only enhances the reliability of vehicles but also lowers maintenance costs for the owners.
India’s Connected Revolution Driving Sustainability Goals
The increase in the electric vehicle sector is largely contributing to the Indian automobile market, aligning with the country’s sustainability goals. As part of the decarbonization target for 2030, India’s EV30@30 campaign aspires to boost the sales of electric automobiles so that they can account for 30% of new vehicles by 2030. This approach presents immense prospects for diminishing carbon emissions and mitigating the environmental impact of transportation.
The success of electric vehicles in the market depends on robust infrastructure planning, particularly the optimal placement of charging stations. This is where the technology location intelligence comes into play—another feature of connected vehicles. Location intelligence can help in the development of convenient and accessible charging stations nationwide. Further, it can aid in road safety efforts by providing real-time insights, making driving more convenient and safe.
Vehicle to Everything Technology
The automotive sector worldwide has joined hands in pushing the technology forward with electric and AI-powered vehicles. According to Counterpoint, a technology research enterprise, India is anticipated to have the fastest-growing connected car sales between 2024 and 2030. The next demand is set to be of V2X technology. It is a bidirectional technology that helps both the vehicle and its surroundings. The technology integrated advanced software technologies such as sensors and wireless connectivity (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/5G cellular technology), among other options. Other features include fuel monitoring, vehicle maintenance, and data dissemination between the vehicle and road infrastructure such as road signs and advanced traffic lights, etc. However, the V2X technology is yet to be fully developed to be adopted by the Indian automotive industry.
Similarly, a software-defined vehicle is referred to as an automobile that manages its operations, adds functionality and enables new features entirely through software technology. It is anticipated to be the next big revolution in the automotive industry. They are the foundation of many other advancements. In addition to being safer, they provide comfort and convenience and outshine their hardware-defined counterparts. Since these are electric vehicles, they also have a considerably smaller footprint.
The Future of the Connected Car Industry
As the automobile industry evolves, the demand for connected vehicles will grow parallelly. Their evolution emphasizes the importance of adaptive and innovative approaches. Looking ahead, connected cars are poised to revolutionize the dynamics of transportation even further. With vehicles becoming more autonomous and interconnected, the opportunities for innovation are limitless. In the modern era, autonomous driving technology will redefine personal mobility and enable more efficient and safer transportation. By using technologies such as V2X communication and ADAS, connected vehicles are serving as catalysts for a sustainable and smarter transportation future ahead.
