German cars will share real-time data to help you find parking
Here is launching services that have connected cars sharing road info.
However smart your car might be, there's only so much it can tell you by itself. Wouldn't it be nice if cars regularly shared helpful driving info beyond what you offer in mobile apps? Here thinks so. It's launching services that will have cars automatically sharing real-time data to improve commutes for everyone. Vehicles (starting with those from Here owners Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz) will use their sensors and cameras to offer details on free parking spaces, traffic conditions, and road hazards. You'd know that a parking spot has opened up, or that heavy rain is forcing drivers ahead to slow down.
The services will be available in the first half of 2017, and they won't be limited to either German car brands or even the car industry in general. And yes, Here is aware of the potential privacy issues. It's promising that the data will be anonymized, so there shouldn't be an easy way for hackers to identify individual motorists. The main challenge is simply time -- Here's solution won't give you a truly comprehensive view of the road until there are plenty of connected cars roaming the streets.
