Delphi Corp.’s new key fob technology and custom applications are offering drivers a myriad of important vehicle information delivered to their smart phones. The technology lets drivers know when to refuel or get an oil change. It can even provide a vehicle’s location.
According to USA Today, when Apple’s app store opened two years ago, 100,000 apps were available. Since then, more than 2 billion have been downloaded and the app economy is continuing to grow. Twenty-five percent of cell phone users in Western Europe and North America utilize smart phones today, and Strategy Analytics predicts the number will grow to 45 percent by 2014.
Delphi’s key fob technology is providing low-cost smart phone connectivity using both Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC) platforms. The company’s key fob designs and custom apps enable information exchange between drivers and their vehicles that is continual, reliable and convenient while giving vehicle manufacturers the ability to meet the specific information needs of different global markets.
“Delphi is committed to developing innovative products that are easy to use and provide exceptional value to our customers,” says Beth Schwarting, general director, Electronic Controls, Delphi Electronics & Safety. ”Our new generation of fobs offers features that are not currently available in the market. These features help vehicle manufacturers competitively differentiate their models, as well as provide drivers and fleet owners constant access to important vehicle information.”
Using a custom phone app with Delphi’s key fob technology, medium-range connectivity (650 feet/200 meters or more) can now be made available to consumers without subscription fees, cellular network delays or coverage gaps. Delphi’s Bluetooth Gateway Key Fob allows users to view important vehicle information and complete often-performed tasks remotely on their smart phone or similar device.
“From receiving security and diagnostic alerts to checking a vehicle’s eco-score, our technology allows drivers to monitor vehicle statistics from their smart phone via Delphi’s key fob,” Schwarting says. “Drivers no longer need to be inside their vehicles or have an internet connection to get updates on vehicle status.”
A useful complement to embedded telematics/phone app solutions when a driver is out of cellular range, the system is made up of highly reconfigurable electronics and offers a remote user interface that is intuitive and user-friendly. It is also of benefit with connected telematics solutions when a driver is out of a vehicle’s Bluetooth range.
Delphi also offers a Smart Key Fob that uses NFC to provide drivers direct accessibility to vehicle information while helping to ensure the security of data exchange. The NFC wireless standard, a read/write technology, offers both secure information transfer and a low power consumption mode. Its low-range communication profile – only 2 inches (5 cm) – helps prevent hacking while its low consumption mode helps ensure durability and reliability.
Data exchange is made possible using an NFC module integrated in the vehicle. The system antenna enables data transfer from the vehicle to the key fob, and the transferred information can be accessed by the driver via any NFC-compatible portable device that has an active display such as a smart phone. Data that can be accessed and managed includes mileage and fuel level, safety and security information (such as tire pressure), maintenance warnings and
alerts, personalization features (seat, steering wheel, A/C configuration), vehicle location (GPS), driver identity, In-Case-of-Emergency (ICE) contacts and vehicle type.
For more information, visit www.delphi.com.
