BackTelematics to improve car users’ experience
Naveen Chopra
of Vodafone Business Services, explains how the company is using its global expertise in telematics to offer M2M solutions
Premium(Hindustan Times)
Machine to machine, or M2M, communication is coming of age. Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd’s e2o, for instance, can be operated by a smartphone to lock or unlock the car’s doors, find the nearest charging stations, set schedules for air conditioning or get the car’s problems diagnosed. E2o deploys telematics—a kind of M2M communication with integrated use of telecommunications and informatics—developed by Mahindra Reva and India’s second largest telecom services provider, Vodafone India Ltd, for the e2o.
In India, the M2M modules market is expected to grow from $33 million (around ₹ 186 crore today) in 2013 to $75 million by 2015, according to a 15 January report by advisory firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd. Domestic car makers such as Tata Motors Ltd are also working on “cloud cars". In an interview, Naveen Chopra, director, Vodafone Business Services, explains how the company is using its global expertise in telematics to offer M2M solutions to its customers in India. Edited excerpts:
How does your company’s technology improve customer experience in the e2o?
The Mahindra Reva e2o is the first Indian car, among the few worldwide, to have telematics-based features that enable “anytime, anywhere connectivity" between consumers and their cars. Vodafone provides the M2M connectivity to make e2o a connected car just like your smartphones and other gadgets, allowing secure communication between the car and its owner. Globally, Vodafone provides M2M managed connectivity services to leading car makers such as BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG). We have been involved with Reva, right from the design stage of e2o. The design of the solution has evolved through a rigorous research and development and pilot phase. We leveraged our global M2M telematics expertise while tailoring the solution to suit unique aspects of Reva’s product and industry processes.
What are the challenges when implementing such a technology?
Telematics does not have any cons, but, yes, it comes at a cost, which is well justified by the ample benefits it offers to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and consumers alike. Currently, automobiles have significant amount of electronics and software controls built inside, which store lots of data about the vehicle, usage and performance. This data can become a gold mine if transferred to a central server and converted into meaningful information with right analytics. Connectivity can help automobile manufacturers transform the customer relationship by moving from product to services and stay in touch with the customer till the life of the product.
Is your company planning to partner with more such auto firms?
We have been working in the M2M space, providing communication services to business customers across segments such as smart metering, track and trace, and wireless transactions. We have launched Global System for Mobile Communications or GSM-based location tracking services to track any asset using a Vodafone SIM card. In India, we have been offering M2M communication service for more than three years. We see the India M2M connection market growing at 50% annually. Vodafone globally is working with leading OEMs in M2M space providing OEMs with M2M smart services to transform vehicles to connected vehicles. Cost of building telematics depends on the kind of services. For example, an OEM can choose to provide only roadside assistance service or a complete portfolio of telematics services, including infotainment and navigation devices. Bulk of the cost today is for the device and as you seek more functionality in the device, the cost goes up proportionately.
What is the cost of incorporating this technology in cars/other vehicles?
Cost is minuscule compared to benefits and value it offers to both OEMs and consumers, and can be easily absorbed in overall cost of vehicle and the associated service package.
What are the other big applications of telematics that Vodafone plans to introduce in India?
Looking at the M2M market, which is growing exponentially in India, we are looking at major verticals such as utilities, automotive, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and financial services, which are early adopters of M2M technology. We believe M2M has also strong linkages with workforce management and the operational areas of an organization.
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