Drivers Use Smartphones Over In-Vehicle Technology for GPS

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tMotorists are more likely to use their smartphones to access apps and information while driving than their in-vehicle technology, says a new report from Detroit-based Lochbridge.

tWhile more than half of consumers said they view mobile technology as being more advanced than in-vehicle technology, 80 percent of the respondents under the age of 35 indicated that they wished their vehicles better understood their preferences, could predict what they needed, and guide them appropriately.

t“Millennials are always-on and always-connected,” says Bob Kennedy, vice president of automotive at Lochbridge. “If gaps exist between automotive and mobile technologies, they turn to their smartphones for in-vehicle information and application needs. More than three-in-four young adults … say they want in-vehicle innovation that goes beyond access to applications. They want cars that know them personally.”

tWhen considering in-vehicle applications that improve the consumers’ experience, such as navigation, entertainment, and connectivity capabilities, nearly 75 percent of young adults surveyed said they would pay more for a vehicle that makes them safer as drivers. When looking at all generations of consumers surveyed, 67 percent indicated they were willing to pay more for in-vehicle technology that enhances their safety.

tTo read an overview of Automotive Connectivity and the Generational Divideclick here.

tIN RELATED NEWS, a new survey from Detroit-based HNTB Corp. shows that nearly 70 percent of Americans are willing to pay more for a vehicle with connected technology that provides notifications about road conditions and potential dangers in real-time.

tDespite the enthusiasm for connected car technology, there’s still much that needs to be done, including public education and actual implementation, says Rob Slimp, CEO of HNTB.

t“While many Americans seem to understand the safety benefits of connected vehicles, less than 4 in 10 (38 percent) think connected vehicles will help reduce congestion,” Slimp says. “We need to build public understanding and acceptance, as well as identify a dedicated funding stream, determine interoperability standards, and address security, certification, and national standards.”

tFull-scale testing of connected vehicle technology is under way at the Model Deployment Project in Ann Arbor, conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation and supported by HNTB.

tHNTB also is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation on an innovative truck parking information system that provides commercial truckers with real-time information on available parking spaces along their route, improving safety while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

t“Soon vehicles will communicate with each other and with related infrastructure, giving vehicles 360-degree awareness and an ability to sense impending crashes and conflicts,” says Jim Barbaresso, HNTB’s vice president and national practice leader of intelligent transportation systems.  “Drivers will be alerted to potential dangers and given warnings and alternate routes as appropriate. Better information will mean better decision-making and more efficient use of our existing highway capacity.”