MG Motor’s new iSMART Next Gen platform to power its first internet car in India
- MG Motor has partnered with Microsoft, Adobe, Unlimit, SAP, Cisco, Gaana, TomTom and Nuance to power iSMART Next Gen tech
- The first car to come with iSMART Next Gen platform would be the MG Hector SUV that will be launched in June this year
British Automaker MG Motor (Morris Garages) showcased a new car technology in India —iSMART Next Gen. Developed in partnership with global technology players including Adobe, SAP, Cisco and Gaana, it will be available for sales by June this year. MG Motor claims the Hector with iSMART Next Gen will be the first internet car in India that will redefine connected mobility.
The brain of the iSMART Next Gen will be housed in a 10.4-inch head unit. The display is designed with a vertical interface, similar to the one found in Tesla cars. It allows the driver to control the entire car system with either touch or voice commands. MG Motor says the head unit is built to withstand extreme climatic conditions of India.
The MG Hector SUV with iSMART Next Gen comes with an embedded M2M sim that ensures that the car remains connected. The customized solution has been developed by Unlimit in partnership with Cisco and Airtel who have collaborated with their Jasper platform and telecommunication network respectively. MG Motor claims the connected mobility solution on the MG Hector is Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPV6) ready for 5G.
The embedded SIM connectivity will enable the users to receive real-time software, entertainment content and application updates. Customers would be able to download the software updates immediately or schedule them for later, as in smartphones. MG Motor claims that this over-the-air (OTA) facility would be an industry first in Indian cars. Further, the OTA feature would be standard in all MG cars enabled with iSMART Next Gen for connected mobility, starting with MG Hector SUV.
The voice control interface of the MG Hector SUV is developed by Nuance. MG Motor claims it has been specifically designed for India for Indian accent learning. MG Motor says the built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms will allow the system to learn and get better every day with usage. Activated with ‘Hello MG’, the voice assist allows over 100 commands, including opening and closing of windows and sunroof, ac control, navigation etc. and works even under poor connectivity. Support for local vernacular languages hasn't been disclosed by the company.
The iSmart Next Gen will house TomTom’s real-time navigation application. This navigation system would regularly update maps, routes and locations through its IQ Maps feature.
Pre-loaded Gaana app with Premium Account and Accuweather will further help the customers to access music and weather forecasts.
The iSMART Next Gen is supported by the iSMART mobile app. MG Motor says the car gets scanned each time the app is opened and information includes the location of car, tyre pressure and door locks. Owners can use the app to remotely lock or unlock doors, turn on ignition and even switch on the air-conditioner. It would also allow owners to schedule a service and keep track of service history.
MG car owners can also locate their cars remotely and geo fence them, so their cars cannot be taken out of a predefined zone, enhancing the safety of the passengers. The app uses driver analytics data and is hosted on Microsoft Azure Cloud.
Coming to customer service, the company has set up a centre called the Pulse Hub. This will enable eCall emergency response in all MG cars. If a car’s airbags are deployed under an emergency condition, automatic messages are sent to the Pulse Hub and the registered phones along with a series of emergency response actions that get activated instantly. MG hector also offers an industry first iCall. With just a touch on the Screen, driver is connected to Pulse Hub for a host of information services.
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Business NewsAuto NewsMG Motor’s new iSMART Next Gen platform to power its first internet car in India
First Published:2 Apr 2019, 03:51 PM IST
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