Just been reading about the 2016 Chevrolet Spark which will have built in wifi hotspot.

Could it be that your future car might have its software updated when you park it overnight thus avoiding the requirement of waiting up to a year for the next service?

I guess someone will provide that eventually or is it already done by a manufacturer?

IIRC Tesla already do that.

IIRC Tesla already do that.

You'd expect that from them of course.

Current BMWs update certain software by a built in 4G card (I think the map updates this way too, depending on spec of course)

The question is how do they continue to profit from updates if you don't visit them?

The question is how do they continue to profit from updates if you don't visit them?

In the BMWs case, it is hidden in the cost of options. But I guess in reality, as they have had a direct connection by sim card for at least  8 years that I know of, they have the infrastructure pretty well sorted. Plus the cost of visiting the dealership would probably be a lot higher if you consider the hourly rate for labour, compared to a lump of data over the sim cards network. My 57 plate 123D could have Google maps destinations sent directly to the car from the web page on your pooter Very clever in those days and really useful for my job

What 'they' know about me/us is a bit of a worry to me at least.

What 'they' know about me/us is a bit of a worry to me at least.

As long as they know I like George Clooney I don't mind

I forgot, that if you have an accident that is serious enough to say, set the airbags off, then BMW will ring the car direct to check you are OK. If you don't answer they will send the emergency services directly to your location (assuming you have phone reception on the cars sim that is). But it is still a good system I think

 

No doubt several other car makers will do something similar?

Google is a bit of a worry to me.

Google is a bit of a worry to me.

I gave up and decided that I would trust Google as I have nothing to hide.........I don't think? Time will tell

I forgot, that if you have an accident that is serious enough to say, set the airbags off, then BMW will ring the car direct to check you are OK. If you don't answer they will send the emergency services directly to your location (assuming you have phone reception on the cars sim that is). But it is still a good system I think

 

No doubt several other car makers will do something similar?

 

http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/ecall-time-saved-lives-saved

 

eCall was scheduled for implementation on all cars sold in Europe this year, but it looks like it has been delayed a little. My understanding is that that there are problem getting agreements on europe wide data connectivity/roaming for the lifetime of the vehicle paid for by the manufacturers (i.e. the system has to work wherever you are in europe and not be reliant on the owner renewing a subscription etc)

In-car WiFi is actually a fairly standard option in higher-end cars nowadays. The Q3 that I have on order will have it as part of the Audi Connect option - see:

 

https://www.audi.co.uk/audi-innovation/advanced-technologies/audi-connect.html

 

The downside is that you need a separate 3G SIM card to provide the onward data connectivity (at least I think you do - can't tell for sure as yet - still awaiting delivery). But that's not too surprising - how else are you going to get the data connection (other than through your existing phone, but I think the argument is that while this is feasible in principle, there are too many practical issues and so it's simpler in the end to have a separate SIM).

 

So it's obviously an option in the VW group and I might be surprised if the next Yeti doesn't have it as an option too.

Edited 7 April, 201511 yr by prodata

I can just set my phone up as a wi-fi hotspot - anyone in the car can connect to it and the network goes with us when we leave the car!

I would simply authorise my own home wifi for any updates.

I'm not into social media (I wouldn't want the distraction) so updates relevant to the vehicle would be all I'd be wanting.

The Yeti was available with wifi hotspot when we ordered ours. It was an upgrade to the Bluetooth system that also included the ability to read sms messages on the maxidot.

I guess I'm more into the future prospect of the car being updated remotely and for me that's it using the home wifi for map and engine/transmission software updates direct from the factory.......it's surely just a matter of time.

In-car WiFi is actually a fairly standard option in higher-end cars nowadays. The Q3 that I have on order will have it as part of the Audi Connect option - see:

 

https://www.audi.co.uk/audi-innovation/advanced-technologies/audi-connect.html

 

The downside is that you need a separate 3G SIM card to provide the onward data connectivity (at least I think you do - can't tell for sure as yet - still awaiting delivery). But that's not too surprising - how else are you going to get the data connection (other than through your existing phone, but I think the argument is that while this is feasible in principle, there are too many practical issues and so it's simpler in the end to have a separate SIM).

 

So it's obviously an option in the VW group and I might be surprised if the next Yeti doesn't have it as an option too.

The BMW system has the SIM built into the car and all costs of the data is covered by them. It won't act as a wifi hotspot though. I think as I have the 'enhanced' phone option on order, it may work once the remote sim access has taken place. not really sure yet.