Mobility and network connectivity has already been incorporated into some of the latest cars coming off the assembly line, but with every new vehicle expected to be connected by 2014, a new era of geospatial intelligence could be on the horizon, according to research firm Frost & Sullivan.
For example, geospatial solutions could support a car sharing program by helping drivers find vehicles in the surrounding area as well as pay for the service, reserve cars and provide many other mobile capabilities. In other parts of the transportation industry, it can allow integration of multiple modes and provide real time information, such as real-time updates on buses or trains, for travelers, according to Frost and Sullivan mobility program manager Martyn Briggs.
"In addition to vehicles and devices, complementing infrastructure is set to become a lot smarter in the future, ranging from small step changes in the short term, such as connectivity in signalling and urban traffic management and control, to more radical changes in the longer term, such as fully automated vehicles," Briggs said.
PC World reported that the automated car that is currently the pet project of technology giant Google uses radar technology, cameras and laser range-finding and is equipped with GPS to garner all of its location data. Though still a long way off from mass market commercialization authorized pilot programs in Nevada and California has brought the possibility closer to reality, according to Wired.
