Automotive supplier Robert Group has announced plans to develop cloud-based services for the connected car, such as real-time traffic data or infrastructure data. In contrast to its competitors, it offers two different types of gateways for the Internet connection. For the car-to-x technology, the strategy might have interesting consequences.
While it already has some services for the connected car in its catalogs, the company never really took a stand on such services; instead, it preferred to act as a development partner for its customers, providing custom solutions with no brand sign on them. Examples are enhanced eCall services and personalized concierge services available from several carmakers, but not with great fanfare.
Now the company deviated from this strategy, albeit just a little bit, by announcing that it will intensify its development services. Like competitor Continental, will link its electronic horizon (the direct competitor technology to Continental’s) to the cloud and offer real-time services providing data as to road conditions, weather, or traffic situation. The latter is particularly valuable to drivers of electric cars since it enables the vehicle to optimize its charging management.
Plans to enhance these services by offering infrastructure data, such as the topology of multi-story car parks or the exact location of charging points for electric vehicles. To make these services available, the company does not rule out establishing its own cloud infrastructure, but no decision as to the exact type and extent of such services has been taken yet, a spokesperson said.
Unlike other vendors, it offers two distinct platforms to connect the vehicle to the cloud. There is, first, the company’s MySpin integration solution that utilizes the driver’s smartphone as a connecting item. MySpin supports Apple’s iOS as well as the open world of Android and allows selected smartphone apps to run on the car’s head unit. MySpin is already in series production in several Jaguar and Land Rover models. In addition, has contracts in place with two, albeit unnamed, OEMs as well as a cooperation with the Chinese Internet data service provider Tencent.
The other approach to establishing the link between the car and cyberspace is the Connectivity Control Unit, a piece of hardware that contains a mobile radio module and thus requires a SIM card. According to the spokesperson, they can also be integrated into a car’s head unit.
However, in certain cases, the cars will possibly be connected with the outside world also through the Call unit, which will be mandatory in Europe for new cars from. This unit also requires a SIM card and thus will provide an independent mobile radio channel. According to, it will also be possible to blend the functionality of the Call unit and the in one box. It all depends on the and its requirements, the spokesperson said. plans to equip not only cars with internet connectivity, but also motorbikes and bicycles.
Notably absent at all connectivity-related announcements in the past time, from or to other tier ones, was one technology that originally was created for the very purpose of connecting cars, also called Car. Based on the protocol, a modified version of the ubiquitous WiFi technology, technology was meant to offer the low-latency connectivity between cars needed to implement safety-critical applications such as black ice warning.
All recent announcements are utilizing mobile technology. and even more so bring the latency into the range of single-digit milliseconds, the spokesperson said. This is good enough for most safety applications. In addition, cellular radio technology is ubiquitous today, solving the chicken-and-egg problem associated with it.
