The Impact of APIs on the Automotive Industry

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Actually, automobile manufacturers are investing huge sums of money into car technology. Besides, their primary focus is on API-based integration. Legends in the auto industry such as Ford and General Motors have started to incorporate embedded, integrated, and tethered connections into most of their vehicles.

Actually, embedded automobiles mainly depend on an in-built antenna, and a chip set combination once tethered connections attach with the car through smartphone technology.

What are the Expectations for the Car Buyers?

Connected cars are rampant. Most customers assume that all the latest models come with in-built GPS navigation, satellite radio access, plus dashboard controls for text messages and phone calls. These are just a fraction of API system features. According to automotive experts, it’s clear that soon, car buyers will have higher expectations from their connected auto technology.

For an automobile to survive the stiff competition in the ever-changing world, it must stay ahead of the latest trends. API auto price is also projected to rise in the coming years, and multiple API-based features will be introduced. As an automaker, you should stay informed of all the anticipated changes in the industry.

The Ford Motor Company Plans for the AppLink

When it comes to the growth of APIs, the sky’s the limit. As a result, Ford Motor Company decided to incorporate AppLink technology in their system. The technology in question allows the Human-Machine Interface of the connected car to be integrated with mobile apps on the smartphone of the driver. As we continue to witness technological growth, developers are still introducing advanced mobile apps. So, drivers can now interact with them easily through the use of standard OEM features which include the following;

Console or dashboard touchscreens
In-built facial emotion detector
Steering wheel buttons
Voice recognition software

General Motors and NGI (Next Generation Infotainment)

Actually, General Motors is still pushing for further development of API-based technology. The drivers are campaigning for their cars to be equipped with features that enhance home-like comfort. For General Motors, there is the Next Generation Infotainment system. It provides manufacturers with a wide range of collection tools to help in creating API-based mobile apps. Below is a list of a few NGI’s features;

Multiple formats audio streaming
Accelerator, orientation inputs, steering and statistics
Access to more than three hundred and fifty vehicle data points
In-dashboard GPS navigation scheme

Toyota and MSPF- Mobility Services Platform

The development of smart cities is a clear sign that car sharing will soon become more appealing unlike today. Most people will prefer to use public transportation means rather than paying hefty bills from car insurance fees, maintenance cost to monthly car payments. For longer excursions, people would rather rent their friends/ neighbors’ cars.

Toyota seems to be miles ahead as they can project what the future will look like and are preparing towards the same. They can’t wait for those days when car sharing will be the new norm. That’s why they’ve come up with Innovative Mobility Service Platform that promises to offer the following;

Remote unlocking of cars through the use of smartphone technology
Flexible and simple integration of extra mobile apps and features
Drive authentication through API-based technology
Fleet controls services for the multi-vehicle providers

MaaS (Mobility as a Service) through API-connected vehicles

Just to expound on Toyota MSPF for instance, API systems offer high-tech collaboration services for car dealers, drivers, insurance providers, importers plus third-party companies.

In 2017 for example, BMW together with IBM joined hands to develop cloud-connected CarData platform that involved MaaS apps with the ability to transmit essential driving statistics to lawful third-parties such as insurance companies and repair shops.

Car owners can stop breakdowns only if they closely monitor all aspects including tire pressure, mileage, and fuel consumption, check engine lights without forgetting anything. Aside from avoiding breakdowns, they’ll land better car insurance deals not to mention that they’ll save money. There are endless safety and cost-effective opportunities.

What’s the Future of API Systems in the Automobile Industry?

With such things as video displays, touchscreens, plus other colorful gadgetry, it’s no doubt that cloud-connected cars are not going anywhere. Kids can now have something to smile about during those lengthy road trips as parents can easily stream a cartoon or a favorite movie through the backseat video screen.

Besides, API-based entertainment systems allow access to several radios across the world and this means everything to the drivers as they are no longer limited to their local stations.

However, the increase of API-connected features is becoming a threat to road safety since drivers may get distracted. But as connected cars evolve, soon consumers’ API-linked communication with the mobile applications is bound to happen through voice/ natural language technology.