Will we have to re‐define what we know today as telematics? As technologies develop, the simple exchange of data between a moving vehicle and fleet manager to determine where the vehicle is, how it is being driven and providing a messaging function is going to become the basics of a wider system of connectivity. This is partly to open up further communication possibilities and partly to help prepare the way for autonomous driving.

Connected Horizon

Bosch displayed a number of new systems at the recent IAA Frankfurt Show including what the company terms the ‘Connected Horizon’. Manfred Baden is the President Car Multimedia at Bosch and he explained to IFW what Connected Horizon means: “This is more than an electronic horizon,” he says, “An electronic horizon is static and it’s already on‐board when the car is delivered. Connected Horizon means you have dynamic updates from the Cloud. This is also a very important pre‐condition for automated driving.”

Bosch expects that the first phase of automated driving, using motorways, is likely to be introduced soon after 2020.

The Cloud data from the Connected

Horizon would give information on the location of a traffic jam and where it is likely to end, as well as the location of road works, which can sometimes be mobile, so dynamic and precise data could help drivers to avoid affected roads.

The more connected cars there are using the roads, the more data can be collected, giving accurate information on any section of road.

“The connected horizon is not only an enabler for automated driving,” continues Baden, “But also for electrification. What we see is three major trends, connected, automated, electrified.

“So if I take electrified with the Connected Horizon, you can get static data about the geography of the road, but you also get dynamic data and from this, you can give information to the powertrain on where it makes sense to use the e‐machine (electric motor).

“Afterwards you will have the opportunity for energy recovery to get the energy back, so you have the right information.”

Efficiency improvements

This information is already available on some cars and commercial vehicles. This gives the vehicle information that there is a hill ahead and it can accelerate in advance to maintain momentum in the hill climb before allowing the vehicle to descend the other side without power.

“They have an efficiency increase for example of 10% less fuel consumption, so it’s very productive for trucks and buses,” continues Baden, “Now with the Connected Horizon you can also do this with hybrid cars. Looking into the future, where is a charging station available? Can I book it? How far can I travel with the charge available and what are the best ways to go? Using the navigation system and Connected Horizon you can also choose a way that gives you more range, depending on traffic and the geography.”

Automated driving needs dynamic data

“Turning to automated driving, here you need more dynamic data. Are there road works? Is there a speed limit? Is there a bend in the road where you have to pay attention? You can also use the Connected Horizon for predictive assistance systems.

Let’s assume that a car is driving with another. ESC (electronic stability control) is used, you have weather information.

You know it is cold and wet, you could have dangerous fog forming,” Baden says.

Bosch sees two systems to connect cars to the internet. The first uses the driver’s smartphone and Bosch has developed an app for the purpose called MySPIN. It will link an Android or Apple smartphone to the car’s infotainment system, allowing a number of apps to be operated from the vehicle’s infotainment display.

Not all drivers will want to carry the potential additional smartphone costs on their mobile phone contract though and Bosch also offers a connectivity control unit (CCU) as an alternative. The CCU contains a wireless module and SIM card and can be equipped with a GPS module. It can either be fitted as original equipment or via the car’s OBD socket.

Fleet operator benefits

Bosch also sees benefits for fleet operators using connected fleet management.

To use this service, the CCU transmits journey and service data securely to Bosch servers for analysis. Fleets can use the data to help plan operations, leasing agreements as well as service and repair visits. Bosch claims that service costs and service downtime would be reduced.

The company is also planning to introduce ‘augmented reality’ in workshops. A service technician would use a tablet computer and its built‐in camera. The camera image would be overlaid with additional information and repair instructions relating precisely to the area displayed on the screen. The technician can manipulate the overlaid objects using the touch screen and call up further information.

This would eliminate the need for a service handbook, since all the detailed data would be stored on a Bosch server.

Bosch has also developed Drivelog Connect – a connectivity solution that could also be used for older cars. To operate, it just needs a wireless dongle and a smartphone app. The system would then be able to offer advice on eco‐driving and also show error codes in an easily understandable form. Drivelog Connect could also contact a breakdown service and workshop if needed. It would also provide a digital logbook for fleet drivers to help with record keeping.

Wrong way driving

Bosch is also developing a system to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers entering motorways and driving the wrong way. Every year in Germany, radio stations broadcast around 2,000 warnings about cars that are driving the wrong way along motorways.

Bosch estimates that nearly a third of these incidents result in an accident, sometimes fatal, by the time the vehicle has travelled 500 metres. A radio transmission cannot be broadcast fast enough to offer an effective warning to road users. Bosch is using the Cloud to develop a new system that would alert drivers within 10 seconds. The system could either be incorporated as a software module into existing infotainment systems or apps. The Cloud‐based function would compare the vehicle’s direction of travel with the permitted direction of travel, stored in a web‐based database.

If the two directions do not agree, both the driver heading the wrong way and oncoming cars can be alerted. Bosch plans to have this system available in 2016.