BMW will connect cars in the UK with other IoT devices

BI Intelligence

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BMW plans to introduce software in its vehicles in the UK that will connect them to users' smart home devices, according to BMW Blog.

The German auto manufacturer will use Smart Home Control, a feature launched earlier this year, to enable drivers to control smart home devices from behind the wheel.

Currently, all new BMW vehicles are equipped with an embedded connection that powers Connected Drive, BMW's connectivity platform for infotainment and remote software updates. The company plans to transmit the new smart home control updates to cars already on the road through Connected Drive, said BMW UK Product Manager Andrew Furse. He elaborated that BMW wants to be central to its drivers' digital lives by enabling a seamless digital connection between their cars and homes.

BMW joins several automakers in the race to build more capabilities for connected cars.Earlier this week LG announced a partnership with Volkswagen to develop a connected car platform for in-vehicle entertainment systems and smart home controls. BMW itself has been seeking topartner with Microsoft and Amazon for cloud services to store and analyze data from connected and self-driving vehicles.

Over the past year, there has been a significant uptick in the number of connected cars on the road. And as internet integration becomes more commonplace, the automobile as we know it will transform.

Over the next five to 10 years, this internet integration is expected to change the car ownership model, create a new platform for consumers to access content, lead to fully autonomous vehicles, and revolutionize the auto industry.

The market position of the car today is similar to where the smartphone was in 2010 — it's just taken off and is ready to explode.

John Greenough, senior research analyst forBI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled a detailed report on the transformation of the automobile that examines the transformation of the automobile. It also analyzes all areas of the changing automotive market, including the market size for connected cars, automakers benefits and connection strategies, market leaders, consumer demand, and more.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the report:

• Over 380 million connected cars will be on the road by 2021. The market has seen a significant increase in automakers plans to connect the majority of the vehicles they sell and as a result, we've increased our 2015 forecast.
• Automakers are connecting the vehicles they sell because the connection offers clear business opportunities.
• Consumers are adopting the connected car faster than expected. We identify the 3 factors that causing the increase in demand.
• Tech companies will play a major role in the future of the automotive market. The big question is whether tech companies will eventually manufacture cars?
• Fully autonomous cars are only a few years away. Technological, regulatory, and consumer adoption hurdles still remain, but there have been many strides towards a car that can drive itself from point A to point B with little to no human interaction.

In full, the report:

• Forecasts connected car shipments
• Identifies automakers strategy for connection
• Analyzes consumer interest in the connected car
• Examines Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Discusses the potential changing car ownership model
• Describes the evolution of the self-driving car
• Identifies top connected car and fully autonomous car barriers

To get your copy of this invaluable guide, choose one of these options:

1. Subscribe to an ALL-ACCESS Membership with BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report AND over 100 other expertly researched deep-dive reports, subscriptions to all of our daily newsletters, and much more. >> START A MEMBERSHIP
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