Nokia targets connected cars with its HERE Connected Driving solution

Nokia today announced its plans to enter the connected car ecosystem by providing an end-to-end navigation solution for car makers that can be embedded into dashboard consoles inside the car. The HERE Connected Driving solution will enable car makers to embed Nokia’s HERE suite of maps and navigation services that is already available on smartphones. This, according to Nokia, will be the most comprehensive “connected navigation services” available to car makers globally.

“Car makers will get all the features that are available on our smartphone service that includes maps for over 190 countries, real-time traffic updates and voice guided navigation in over 60 languages,” Christof Hellmis, vice president, Map Platform And Apis, Location & Commerce, Nokia told BGR India.

Nokia sees connected cars to be the next big trend in the auto industry, where it could play a major role with the potential of being the largest player with its existing services and data. The company is currently talking to all major car makers.

But Nokia isn’t the only one interested in cars, with Apple too working with car manufacturers for their in-car consoles to connect with its iOS devices. However, Nokia’s solution will provide much more than simple integration of phone functionality with the consoles. “Our solution is completely open and is not restricted to just one smartphone platform. It is not just about connecting the phone to the system,” Hellmis explained.

Apart from navigation, users will be able to get much more real-time information like the status of their cars including fuel and battery levels. “It could tell you that your car’s fuel level is low and direct you to the nearest gas station. It could even give you real-time fuel prices and show you which fuel station has the best price,” he said.

The solution comprises three offerings – HERE Auto, HERE Auto Cloud and HERE Auto Companion. HERE is Nokia’s location business division that was formed after the acquisition of Navteq.

HERE Auto will provide turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance to in-car embedded systems in 95 countries with or without a data connection. Users will be able to get 2D, 3D and satellite map views. Nokia will also release a HERE SDK soon that will enable car manufacturers to create their own entertainment and other applications on top.

HERE Auto Cloud will bring data-connected cloud services like real-time traffic updates with alternative routes, nearby points of interests like gas stations, restaurants, parking spots among other things.

HERE Auto Companion is a mobile and web app that will enable users to select their preferred route, destination among other things online from their smartphones or a web portal so they are ready to go when they enter their car. Users can even locate their car using LiveSight augmented reality technology that Nokia had recently launched. Car makers will also be able to tap into other HERE assets like walking directions, public transit information among others and integrate them with their own mobile apps.

Nokia has also updated its HERE Traffic service that provides real-time traffic updates, weather forecast, road construction and other factors that might affect a drive. Nokia says its new ‘Halo’ engine will process data quickly and more accurately that will help save drivers some time.

Nokia will demonstrate the HERE Connected Driving solution at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt that starts on September 10.