Auto Expo 2014 saw a Tata Motors and Samsung Electronics partnership for in-car connectivity applications announced for the company’s passenger vehicles. Based on Samsung’s ‘Drive Link app’ on MirrorLinkTM technology, this innovative in-car smartphone tech enhances in-car access and reduces distraction to the driver to make safety a priority.
Drivelink in Tata Motors passenger cars will include shortcuts to driving apps, which adhere to safety certification standards. On-board diagnostics, vehicle lifecycle management info, periodic service reminders, and other data can be used in real time.
Samsung’s Drive Link app on the move makes listening to music, navigating to a destination and talking hands-free easy without being a distraction with its clean interface. One can also access internet music through other apps. Through Drive Link’s navigation function, users can select preset, recent or favorite destinations, or search for a specific address. Text-to-Speech feature ensures incoming data is automatically read via the car’s speaker system. As such, if a text message arrives with address info when the app is in use, users can set the address as their destination with a click on the text.
Drive Link connects smartphones to a car’s In-Vehicle Infotainment system via MirrorLink, the new standard connectivity protocol from the Car Connectivity Consortium.
ConnectNext pillar of TATA Motors’ DNA personifies ‘Connect’ of the company’s new cars. Overall ownership experience through auto-updates allows one to use the device of his/her choice, freeing him/her from the long life-cycles that automotive products utilise. ConnectNext connects with the customers at a whole new level, and includes in its realm, dealerships too. TATA Motors has been working with partners like Harman, Samsung and MapMyIndia for innovative solutions to address customer needs.
Mr. Ranjit Yadav, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “In our Horizonext journey towards great products that match customer needs, ConnectNext is one of the key “Next” pillars that offers a first-to-market product, that taps an immediate customer need to be more connected with his/her working and social world. We see technology as a key enabler and are delighted to partner with another industry leader, Samsung, to offer what our consumers, especially our young, professional consumers, demand from their vehicles. This is in line with our philosophy to offer great new features to our customers to create differentiated products features that are relevant to the present and scalable for the future”. Drivelink partnership is our first major step in this direction.
Mr Sameer Garde, Country Head – Enterprise Business, Samsung India Electronics Limited, said, “We are delighted to partner Tata Motors on their journey in building an exciting new range of passenger vehicles. Samsung’s Drive Link application on MirrorLinkTM technology, for controlling nearby smartphones from the steering wheel or via dashboard buttons or touch screen, ensures users retain the core functionality of their smartphones, while making sure their experience of hands free in-vehicle services is as safe as possible. The Drive Link’s interface is clear and uncluttered, perfect for quick and intuitive use when on the move”.
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