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Automotive News
By Les Jackson

Telematics industry booming

Telematics is a fancy word for all the high-technology systems now being installed in new vehicles. In addition to hands-off cell phones and the ever-growing selection of audio systems available in cars, now consumers can buy entertainment, navigation, night vision and Internet access systems. Telematics is the wave of the future, particularly in automotive marketing. Manufacturers are predicting sales of advanced telematics systems in over two million 2001 vehicles.

For 2001 General Motors is offering Bose Infotainment systems in some of its vehicles, notably its higher-end cars and sport utility vehicles. GM's philosophy on this system is, "hands-free and eyes-free to watch the road." The Infotainment systems itself offers cell phone, OnStar (remote, computer-controlled navigation, vehicle diagnosis and roadside assistance system), email, voice mail, Web browsing, vehicle navigation and other computer-based access technology, all for in-car use. The system has voice-recognition capability for personal security and everything is hands-free for maximum safety. Those who have the need for a "mobile office" or who feel they need to be in constant communication will find this system irresistible.

Other manufacturers are offering similar systems to the Bose Infotainment. Some are hands-free and some aren't, and some, like Mercedes-Benz, offer total voice command for everything, including the climate control and audio systems.

Technology such as this poses a dilemma for the safety community. On the one hand, advanced telematics will be required for future "automated highways" on which vehicles will travel under total computer control. Traffic planners have dreamed of such future travel systems for decades and the technology for doing so is now within reach. In fact, some automated systems exist today: speedpasses at toll booths and traffic alert electronic signposts are examples.

On the other hand, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and others are concerned about the growing incidence of "distracted driving" crashes. These groups cite that about 25 percent of today's accidents are the result of distracted driving and the ratio is climbing. Adding more and more in-vehicle technology that has the potential of taking the driver's attention from the road is a major concern and no studies show that hands-off control has any positive effect on distraction.

So far the two telematics devices implicated in crashes are the cell phone and audio system. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, using a cell phone or leaning over to place a CD in the player makes a driver six times more likely to have an accident than glancing at the vehicle's instruments.

Reacting to the ever-growing distraction problem, Marlboro Township, in New Jersey, has banned the use of hand-held cell phones while moving in a vehicle. Violators receive a fine of $250 for doing so. Other towns and cities are studying ways of limiting such use of cell phones as well.

It's certain that vehicle telematics devices will proliferate in the near future and it's equally certain that federal, state and local governments will keep a sharp eye on any upward trends in accidents resulting from their use.

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