Streaming Software Updates Will Make Dealership Visits Much More Rare

Much like the Tesla Model S/X, or your smartphone for that matter, it seems we’re heading towards a future where more cars will be receiving software updates that will improve performance and add new features.

According to a study from ABI Research (a company that studies technology trends), more than 200 million vehicles around the world will be able to get over-the-air software updates by the year 2022.

This way, it’s thought that nearly one-third of issues that lead to recalls could be fixed simply through over-the-air updates, which means you won’t need to take your car to a dealership anymore – in turn saving automakers up to $6 billion per year, as reported by USA Today.

“Streaming updates to cars is going to be a big play for the auto industry,” said Scott Frank, marketing VP for Airbiquity. “It’s central to a lot of new things we’re working on. Phones and TVs are already updateable. Your car will be, too.”

Software-only recalls affected 3.3 million vehicles in the US last year, a number that’s grown five times more than the previous year. It’s precisely these types of issues that could be resolved simply by transmitting new software to the vehicle.

“Adding features and improving performance post-purchase is a game-changer for the industry,” added Frank. Though aside from the new features and fixes, these updates will also include new security to help keep your car safe from would-be hackers.

On top of that, these services will also speed up the repair process in case your car is damaged in any way. Frank thinks that running over a nail, for example, represents an opportunity to built customer loyalty, and not an inconvenience.

“First, the car sends a warning message that you’re losing tire pressure. The car could look for nearby service dealers and centers, download coupons, make an appointment and tell you that service is waiting for you 20 minutes down the road.”

“The car is made intelligent by the data and analytics we can offer though the cloud. It improves your experience as an owner.”