‍What is a connected car?
A connected car is essentially a vehicle equipped with internet access, allowing it to share data with devices both inside and outside the car. This internet connection is usually achieved through mobile data networks, facilitating a myriad of services that can be remotely accessed via smartphones or other devices. The premise is that for the car to transmit and receive information, it must maintain a consistent internet connection. This simple yet powerful capability is at the heart of a connected car's functioning, enabling a plethora of innovative features that transform our interaction with vehicles.

How do connected vehicles work?
The central technology behind a connected car involves either an embedded system, a tethered system, or a combination of both.

Embedded System: In this setup, the car comes equipped with a pre-installed chipset and antenna, making the vehicle internet-ready right off the assembly line. This system allows the car to independently download updates, send remotely accessible data, and connect with other devices via the built-in Wi-Fi.
Tethered System: This system relies on the user's smartphone to provide internet connectivity to the vehicle. While not as integrated as the embedded system, the tethered approach allows a level of connectivity that enhances vehicle functionality.
Regardless of the system employed, connected cars can access and generate telematics data, offer remote vehicle functions, and integrate with the growing ecosystem of smart devices, including Electric Vehicles (EVs). This enhanced connectivity is transforming not just how we drive, but how our vehicles interact with the world around them.

How do Connected Cars Communicate?
Connected cars are not just about connecting to the internet; they're also about enabling different forms of communication that create an interactive network on the road. Let's look at the various ways vehicle data is transmitted:

Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V): V2V communication shares real-time safety data between nearby vehicles. Information like speed, direction, steering, and braking is exchanged to increase awareness of road conditions and potential hazards. For instance, identifying reckless drivers or tracking the progress of emergency vehicles becomes easier with V2V.
Vehicle to Pedestrian (V2P): Leveraging advanced sensor technology, V2P communication alerts drivers to pedestrians' presence, allowing timely action to prevent accidents.
Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I): V2I communication connects cars to local infrastructure, providing drivers with up-to-date information about traffic, weather, and other alerts that might impact their journey. Advanced systems can even share details about traffic light status, construction zones, bridge heights, and pedestrian crossings, contributing to overall road safety.
Vehicle to Cloud (V2C): The V2C communication pathway enables a wealth of data to be utilized, including diagnostic reports, location data, and connectivity with the broader Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.
Vehicle to Everything (V2X): V2X is the all-encompassing term that includes all the above forms of communication, contributing to a safer, more efficient, and more intelligent road network.
By establishing these communication pathways, connected cars are forging an integrated network that significantly enhances our road safety and driving experience.