The top-end model of the Nexon, XZ+, comes with a wearable key—it looks just like your regular Fitbit device.
I recently drove Tata Motors’ new compact SUV, the Nexon. A peculiar thing was I wasn’t carrying a key in my hand before I stepped inside the car or even a keyfob in my pocket. I was wearing it on my wrist! The top-end model of the Nexon, XZ+, comes with a wearable key—it looks just like your regular Fitbit device. Wearing it, as you press a button on the door, the car get unlocked. To start the engine, just press a button on the dashboard. The technology has many names, one of these is PEPS (passive entry, passive start). The point is, almost stealthily, cars around you and me are getting smarter. Over the last two years, companies including Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Tata have introduced smart car features in their vehicles. Agreed, these cars aren’t yet smart enough to drive themselves, but they are equipped with technologies that take away a lot of ‘unnecessary tasks’ that a driver earlier used to perform while driving. We take a look at some of these features.
Ford SYNC
Ford had introduced the SYNC smart car feature with the EcoSport SUV in 2013. SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls, control music and perform numerous other functions with the use of voice commands. While the EcoSport, Figo and Aspire are equipped with SYNC, the more expensive Ford vehicles—the new Endeavour and Mustang—get the upgraded SYNC 3. If you are driving any of these cars, the SYNC can ‘read out’ the text messages your phone receives, you can use your voice to adjust the AC temperature or play music, or you can ‘ask’ your vehicle to locate that hard-to-find restaurant, the nearest ATM, or a even highly-rated coffee shop. While SYNC runs on Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Automotive OS, SYNC 3 runs on QNX by BlackBerry.
Honda Connect
While SYNC is a factory-fitted system, Honda gives you the option to make your car smarter by installing a connected device (dongle) called Honda Connect. Developed by Minda i-Connect, this device is compatible with any Honda car that has the OBD-II port—on-board diagnostics, version 2—and is available for Rs 7,999. Users benefit in multiple ways. For example, it has an impact alert feature—a sensor inside the dongle measures the car’s 3D orientation and its inbuilt algorithm can detect an impact.
If it does so, a call goes to Honda 121 call centre to generate assistance. In addition, users can share their own location in real-time with family and friends; they can locate their car in real-time if someone else is driving it; they can monitor the health of the engine and are reminded if car service is due and can book their next service online … all this appears on the smartphone app one has install.
Toyota Connect
Unlike Honda Connect, Toyota Connect is not a device, but an app on your smartphone. Toyota calls it a fully-integrated cloud-based connected service platform that is supported by a dedicated call centre, Toyota’s dealer network and service providers. Using Toyota Connect, the driver gets assisted navigation service with personalised search support to find any destination; can download detailed 3D maps with live traffic updates; can get enlarged views of junctions and intersections on the road; lane guidance; voice guidance; speed-limit display; upcoming toll booth voice announcements and more.
In addition, the driver is provided vehicle maintenance data that includes ownership support with service reminders, online service appointment and even e-payments. There are emergency services, too—24×7 GPS-based roadside assistance support. Before downloading and using this app, it has to be linked to the vehicle registration number. It is available free of cost, as of now.
Nissan Connect
Nissan Connect also resides in an app and, as of now, is available free of cost—three years of free subscription and one year of company warranty calculated from the start of the activation. It is platform-agnostic, i.e. available on Android, iOS and Windows platforms. However, Nissan Connect is not exactly like Toyota Connect, i.e. you cannot simply start using it by downloading and getting it linked to the vehicle registration number.
While all the company’s new cars are preloaded with this feature—there is a factory-fitted telematic control unit (TCU) paired with an inbuilt SIM for every car and a dedicated server—existing customers of older cars can get the same fitted at company dealerships. Features include finding fuel stations, Nissan dealerships, service stations, service booking, fuel log, locating your car if you’ve forgotten at which level of a particular mall did you park it, driving history and more.
A couple of interesting features are Geo Fencing (the app alerts you when your vehicle moves out of a set boundary area) and Time Fencing (alerts you when your car moves outside a set time). This technology has been developed by Renault Nissan Technology Business Centre India (RNTBCI), based in Chennai.
