US-based technology company, Harman International, which is also a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has announced the launch of an advanced connected car device called ‘Spark’. Along with AT&T, the device is meant to convert any car model (from 1996) into an LTE connected car.
A user needs to download the app from their phone’s respective app store, plug the ‘Spark’ device into the on-board diagnostic (OBD II) beneath the steering wheel and the vehicle is set to go. Apart from the standard features it also comes with in-app payments, on-demand roadside assistance, driving tips and more.
Chris Penrose, president, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T said, “You get the most advanced connected services available on new cars plus some that you can’t get anywhere else."
Sanjay Dhawan, CTO and president, Harman connected services said, “Harman Spark allows them to easily and affordably transform older vehicles into smart cars of the future with connected applications.”
Harman has also collaborated with Tantalum, an automotive software company, to enable Harman Spark with a set of features, an ecosystem of service and a payment platform. Some of the features include-
Emergency crash assistance, virtual mechanic, WatchIt, Roadside assistance manager, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Geofences, Family share/fleet manager, parking reservations and driving score and tips
According to an official release, Spark will be available from September 28 at AT&T retail stores in the US and online.
Also read: Arvin Baalu: ‘Harman will be one of the first companies to introduce the 5G network to the automotive market.’