Barely two out of the 32 million vehicles on British roads are properly fitted with mobile communications be they phones or navigation devices. Mike Short asks why the gap is so wide despite increasing demand for in-car communications. 

Vitally pro-safety, the automotive and mobile sectors are coming together to meet the needs of drivers and their passengers. A new centre run by the Motor Industry Research Centre is due to open soon in Britain . It will demonstrate and test new technologies including cellular, WiFi communications to and from cars; fittings; vibration and interference management. It will also consider the whys and wherefores of making information available to back seats.

Among the big questions is whether hands free phones should be fitted to new cars or as ‘after fits’. How should second hand vehicles be connected? The answer may be a combination of both: antennae may be routinely fitted to new vehicles with devices plugged in later maybe with more universal sockets and hands free facilities.

Safety and the correct installation are of primary importance and must be first considerations - voice prompts can complement screens making systems even safer.

Once on-line, live information on a range of parameters can give drivers real time information, contributing to safer driving. Updating systems with live traffic information helps cars avoid congestion and can prevent jams getting worse by suggesting alternative routes.

Drivers and passengers can get information on points of interest; garages; hotels or restaurants so can more easily plan rest and petrol breaks.

Putting GPS in vehicles means fleet managers can locate and direct individual vehicles making operations more efficient.

Cars can be connected to a range of other services including insurance, licencing and emergency services. Rather than relying on number plates, which after all can be false, GPS enabled cars offer a more accurate means of identifying who owns the vehicle. Mobile operators have secure identity authentication and management techniques which can help determine who is driving and whether they are doing so legally.

Already wireless systems can remotely control and manage traffic lights, road signs and speed limits. People can pay for and update parking meters and parking ticket machines using mobiles.

The more connected facilities the better the information and the easier it is to collect road traffic, accident statistics, pollution and other data 24x7 and in real time. This can later be analysed and become part of plans for future road infrastructure investment.

The number of UK phones with embedded GPS overtook the number of standalone GPS or satellite navigation devices last year and it will soon be in the majority of mobile phones bringing navigation to a much wider market.

Connectivity to and from cars supports a range of services for all occupants – why not add internet access, email, instant messaging or YouTube to entertain passengers? Perhaps this is the start of the internet on wheels?
Dr Mike Short is VP of R&D for Telefonica.