Bosch Launches Automotive Cloud Suite for Connected Cars

We are soon set for an era of connected cars, at least in Europe, where the eCall automatic emergency call system will be made mandatory from March 2018. It is projected that by the end of the decade, there will be 250 million connected cars across the world. This makes the digital aspect of mobility like those keeping tabs on important parameters related to the car’s condition very important.

Bosch board of management member Dr. Dirk Hoheisel was a speaker at the international Bosch ConnectedWorld 2017 conference in Berlin, and used the event as the platform to launch the Bosch Automotive Cloud Suite, a new platform for mobility services. He said that services for connected cars have increasingly become a differentiating factor within the automotive industry.

With the introduction of the Automotive Cloud Suite, automakers and all mobility service providers will now have access to a software platform and a comprehensive toolkit that will allow them to develop many services for drivers and for expanding their market. Hoheisel said that the Automotive Cloud Suite would offer drivers wider, and a more personalized range of services.

Volker Bischoff, General Manager & Vice President, Robert Bosch Middle East, commenting on the new platform said that greater availability of connected vehicles is expected to lead to more safety on the roads. Connected functions like wrong-way driver alert are expected to help save as many as 11,000 lives by 2025.

He added, “Our expertise within the automotive sector spans hardware, digital and aftermarket service offerings. With widespread IoT technology implementation, the Middle East region, especially Dubai, has shown considerable leadership and capabilities for these innovations to be integrated into its infrastructure.

Bosch’s strength: expertise in cars, clouds, and big data

The Bosch Automotive Cloud Suite uses the Bosch IoT Suite as its foundation and can be used to provide all the technological functionality needed for connected cars. It offers a single platform that can be used to connect devices, users, companies, and domains. The Automotive Cloud Suite comprises individual software modules like a digital logbook and solutions for implementing software updates. Providers of mobility services can use these modules as the framework for developing a broad range of connected car services for drivers.

Hoheisel  stated that Bosch has the expertise to offer customers comprehensive automotive know-how and IT expertise right from the rollout to the actual operation of services as it brings together many areas of expertise in its Automotive Cloud Suite. From its roles as a systems supplier to the automotive industry and as a leading provider of encryption technologies, the company has developed extensive knowhow when it comes to handling big data and cloud operation.

At Bosch ConnectedWorld 2017, Bosch demonstrated the spectrum of new services that could be offered using this platform in a Jaguar F-Pace. Hohsiel said that Bosch will not only focus on offering customers assistance with the development and implementation of services with the Automotive Cloud Suite, but will also use it for the company’s own in-house services.

Five features that are likely to be seen soon in connected cars worldwide are as follows:

1. Wrong-way driver alert:

The platform can be used to provide wrong-way driver alerts, which can help pre-empt accidents that could possibly have fatal consequences. Bosch’s cloud-based wrong-way driver alert has been designed to provide a warning within ten seconds or so. The alert will be given not only to the wrong-way driver, but to all road users in the neighborhood.

2. Predictive diagnostics

Predictive diagnostics not only help to prevent unexpected breakdowns but will also help cut hefty repair bills and save time. During regular drives, the system can analyze data and make predictions about the condition of key components. Even before a part reaches the point where it is worn out, the driver is notified and will be able to take proactive action.

3. Community-based parking

The platform can use the data cloud to help motorist find parking. Parking becomes a communal activity, as the car uses its on-board sensors to identify and measure the gaps between cars parked at the curb. That information is used to update a digital parking map in real time. Using smart data processing, Bosch then corroborates the information to supply a prediction of the parking situation. The digital parking map is available in the cloud for cars in the vicinity, minimizing the time that drivers spend looking for parking.

4. Personal assistant

It is soon possible that you will not need to take a personal assistant along when you drive as the car will act as the personal assistant. Motorists can now employ voice commands to schedule appointments, get access to a wide range of information and even control things in their smarthome remotely. It is even possible that with greater usage, the virtual assistant will learn the preferences of the driver and thus provide a greater level of support.

5. Software updates over the air

Software updates are now available for most devices including smartphones and laptops. Bosch will now soon make this a possibility for cars. This will make it possible to add more features that will of great use to motorists like a more efficient driving mode for electric vehicles and greater protection from hackers.