Ficosa, a maker of vision, safety, connectivity and efficiency systems, and Panasonic are presenting the latest technological developments in connectivity and the 'Internet of things' for the automotive sector at Mobile World Congress 2016. The suppliers have together developed a new generation of Smart Connectivity Module (SCM) which enables all passengers to be simultaneously but independently connected through the vehicle's own connection.
Ficosa CEO Javier Pujol claimed: "The SCM completely revolutionises the in-vehicle experience, improving driving, increasing safety and efficiency, and giving users an unprecedented range of services and smart applications. It is a great step towards the driverless car, integrating the vehicle into the communication networks as a device of the Internet of things".
This system offers a secure connection for communications inside and outside the car, and for communication between vehicles (V2V) and with infrastructure (V2X). The SCM provides features to improve safety, such as how long the vehicle has been running without a stop, traffic density, weather conditions, dangerous areas and those with limited visibility in order to avoid accidents. It also allows users to surf the Internet, watch movies, listen to music, play online games and access the GNSS navigator, among other functions.
The SCM is based on a connectivity platform that can be easily integrated into the car, and incorporates in one single device different sorts of telecommunications technologies, such as LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, AM and FM, DAB and GNSS positioning for each specific market and the mandatory emergency call in Europe (eCall) and Russia (ERA-GLONASS).
Ficosa is focused on connectivity platforms with integrated antennas (SCM), Telematics Control Units (TCU) and vehicle-infrastructure technology (V2X), which allows vehicles to connect to communication networks, other vehicles and infrastructure.
Its units combined with Panasonic's OEM infotainment systems offer users a range of new services.
Pujol said: "[We] have joined forces to improve their technological capabilities and integrate complementary technologies into new product categories, which will be the basis of future of the automobile in connectivity, safety and efficiency".
