The tech world has been largely focusing on rumors of a tablet made by Nokia, but if this report is correct, the company has a much bigger target in mind. As the race for connected vehicles heats up, we now have reports that Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) will be taking part.
Nokia joins others in the connected vehicle race
Nokia executive Michael Halbherr told GigaOM that they are planning a platform for connected vehicles which goes beyond what competitors are doing. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) announced recently that it is working on iOS in the Car, which integrates its operating system into vehicles. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) already has its Sync platform in vehicles made by Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F). That system works through the driver’s mobile phone.
Of course Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) already has a presence in the auto market through its Navteq mapping division, which provides maps for navigation systems. Nokia’s Maps have since been renamed Here. And it is the relationships formed through this mapping technology which Nokia intends to exploit to make its presence known more fully in the automotive market.
Enhancing Nokia’s automotive offerings
The Finnish company said it sees an opportunity to move from simply being a content supplier for automotive companies to a platform provider and then a services provider. Although Halbherr would not provide specifics on the types of services it would offer or what its platform would look like, he did say that Nokia would offer more details on its strategies soon.
In addition, he said Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) is looking beyond the dashboard where its competitors are looking and pushing into driverless vehicles. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been experimenting with driverless vehicles for some time, and Nokia’s view of driverless technology goes behind individual vehicles.
Nokia wants to develop smart cities
According to Halbherr, Nokia is looking into ways to take individual vehicles and incorporate them into major transportation or “smart city” networks. He plans to address this topic at GigaOM’s Mobilize conference in October.
The Nokia executive said the company is looking toward vehicles that not only drive occupants to their destination by following the fastest route, but also that can optimize routes. He said they want to create vehicles which plan routes to minimize carbon emissions, adjust for traffic patterns and congestion, and coordinate with local traffic management systems and public transit.
He said the system would start with a map of the area and use not only its own location on the map but also the location of surrounding objects. It would then overlay it with real time virtual information which can be used via apps or through augmented reality technology.
