April/May 2007

Governments and the insurance industry are taking precedence over vehicle manufacturers in influencing the way the telematics market is evolving, according to a new report, An Insight into the Future Trends for Telematics in Europe, from Research and Markets.

It says these stakeholders 'have the potential to trigger the long-term vision of a single telematics platform in every vehicle.'

However, the report goes on to warn: 'Consensus will be required on the necessary standards, cooperation and business models if a universal in-vehicle system is ever to become a reality.'

The report analyses what it considers key services that could galvanise a future mass market for telematics in Europe. They include e-call; pay-as-you-drive insurance; traffic information; stolen vehicle tracking; and hybrid navigation. E-call is the emerging European standardised telemetry system through which motorists will be able to summon assistance.

 

According to author David McClure, before universal adoption of telematics systems is possible, 'we need to see a step-change from the current situation, where each telematics service requires different in-car hardware, to a point where all applications can be supported on a single platform.'

Currently, he says, none of the principal stakeholders appears willing to make the commitment alone, 'each preferring to piggyback their services off a system installed at someone else's expense.'