HTC Corp (宏達電) yesterday unveiled a vehicle performance measurement solution created in collaboration with German automaker Volkswagen AG (VW) in a bid to enter the fast-growing Internet of Vehicles (IoV) market.
IoV refers to dynamic mobile communications systems that allow communications between vehicles; vehicles and roads; vehicles and people; and vehicles and sensors.
The Taiwanese smartphone maker has been attempting to expand its reach in the IoV market in recent years.
Photo: CNA
In 2011, HTC partnered with Luxgen Motor Co (納智捷), a automobile brand operated by Yulon Motor Co (裕隆汽車), to allow people access to HTC’s entertainment system in their vehicles.
The latest partnership with Volkswagen comes after the company on Monday last week said that it is looking to work with automaker Audi AG to provide its Vive virtual reality (VR) headsets to potential customers so that they can virtually test-drive a vehicle.
Under the partnership with Volkswagen, HTC said a “Customer-Link” app and “Customer-Link Bridge” platform have been launched to allow drivers to gain access to up-to-the-minute information on road and traffic conditions.
The Customer-Link Bridge is a vehicle performance measurement device, while the Customer-Link app provides local traffic information and instant vehicle data to improve security and efficiency while driving, HTC said.
The Customer-Link app can be used in all models of Volkswagen vehicles sold in Taiwan and the Customer-Link Bridge is to be preinstalled in all new vehicles VW sells from May next year, the company said.
Volkswagen said the data will be integrated, appearing simultaneously on the smartphone and auto display of drivers.
“IoV solutions enable owners to be easily connected to their cars and enjoy Volkswagen customer services,” Volkswagen Taiwan managing director Bernd Hoffmann said in a statement.
HTC’s IoV solutions are to be showcased at the Taipei International Auto Show, which is to begin today and run through Sunday next week at the Taipei World Trade Center’s Exhibition Hall 1 and Nangang Exhibition Hall.
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