Automatic Launches New 'Automatic Pro' Car Adapter With Always-On Subscription-Free 3G Connectivity

[9052042]

The next step for something like this would be a partnership with insurance providers or even adding insurance options. Using all this data is a great way to gauge drivers driving behavior. I know some insurance companies are doing that with their own dongles but there is no transparency in what they collect and how they use it. Also their dongles are probably cheap devices that don't offer a full-set of features and likely prone to measuring mistakes.

I love such products because they have a natural extension and pathway to growth if they utilize it correctly.

 

[clukas]

Great device, but US only 🙁.

The next step for something like this would be a partnership with insurance providers or even adding insurance options. Using all this data is a great way to gauge drivers driving behavior. I know some insurance companies are doing that with their own dongles but there is no transparency in what they collect and how they use it. Also their dongles are probably cheap devices that don't offer a full-set of features and likely prone to measuring mistakes.

I love such products because they have a natural extension and pathway to growth if they utilize it correctly.

I would never give up my privacy and driving habits to any insurer. Discounts are not substantial enough to justify the data you're giving up.

Lol, but as you like evolutionary ideas, here's one. You give access to the data to your health insurance provider so they can see how often you visit McDonalds drive through 😛

 

[nutmac]

Looks like it is only free for five years. Still not bad though.

5 years disclaimer is only for legal reason and in case its carrier partners discontinue 3G service. Automatic support says they have no intention of charging its customers after 5 years.

 

[Gizmotoy]

I have one of these. It has GPS. That's how it's able to track your vehicle location even when you or your phone are not nearby and report it over the 3G connection.

You have a Pro? Wasn't it just launched a few hours ago? The app description says it uses background GPS from your phone in order to function. There's no detailed specs on their site, so it's unclear what features this does and doesn't have, particularly because of the following...

Some cars don't transmit fuel level information over OBD-II, such as Prius.

This is true, but even on cars that do support it the Automatic website says Fuel Level monitoring isn't available with Automatic Pro. So this actually lacks a feature a previous model had.

Edit: By looking through the Blog and support documents I found Automatic Pro does have built-in GPS. However, they update the unit with satellite locations from your phone using Bluetooth every time a trip begins. So it's likely that if your phone isn't present, GPS lock will be very slow since satellite locations aren't retained or computed.

 

[doctor-don]

This would be great if it would allow tracking by the built-in GPS.
The main advantage over the gen-2 model is that an iPhone is not required. Another advantage is that it does not require a monthly fee.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

I'm not too excited about this product but I do like this concept of 3G being baked into the price of the device. As Internet of Things products get more popular and numerous it will be great if they all phone home without needing a dedicated device on your mobile plan or needing some other device/network to piggyback on.

 

[doctor-don]

The next step for something like this would be a partnership with insurance providers or even adding insurance options. Using all this data is a great way to gauge drivers driving behavior. I know some insurance companies are doing that with their own dongles but there is no transparency in what they collect and how they use it. Also their dongles are probably cheap devices that don't offer a full-set of features and likely prone to measuring mistakes.

I love such products because they have a natural extension and pathway to growth if they utilize it correctly.

WHY?
My tracking device reported that my vehicle 1) made a harsh acceleration and 2) made a harsh left turn on a recent trip. The device does not have the ability to discern road conditions that might make it appear the acceleration was harsh or that the left turn was harsh. I would not want to be penalized for merging into a lane with no traffic but the oncoming driver was speeding as he came over the hill. Also, I would not want to be penalized for braking hard when some nincompoop pulled out from the side street or business in spite of the fact that drivers are moving at 45 mph and he should wait for traffic to pass.

 

[Ziggy...]

You have a Pro? Wasn't it just launched a few hours ago? The app description says it uses background GPS from your phone in order to function. There's no detailed specs on their site, so it's unclear what features this does and doesn't have, particularly because of the following...


This is true, but even on cars that do support it the Automatic website says Fuel Level monitoring isn't available with Automatic Pro. So this actually lacks a feature a previous model had.

Edit: By looking through the Blog and support documents I found Automatic Pro does have built-in GPS. However, they update the unit with satellite locations from your phone using Bluetooth every time a trip begins. So it's likely that if your phone isn't present, GPS lock will be very slow since satellite locations aren't retained or computed.

I was a beta tester for the pro device (have had one for about a month now) and can confirm it has GPS built in. The GPS is remarkably fast to update (less than a minute, but is not to be used as a turn by turn navigation) Its more used for better estimating the trip route, while preserving your phone battery life (only one GPS/data connection instead of two) I can attest to the software quality in this device. It very quickly alerts me if my car is driving, as well as where it is and when it stops...cool to see when someone steals (read: borrows) my car.

 

[Gizmotoy]

I was a beta tester for the pro device (have had one for about a month now) and can confirm it has GPS built in. The GPS is remarkably fast to update (less than a minute, but is not to be used as a turn by turn navigation) Its more used for better estimating the trip route, while preserving your phone battery life (only one GPS/data connection instead of two) I can attest to the software quality in this device. It very quickly alerts me if my car is driving, as well as where it is and when it stops...cool to see when someone steals (read: borrows) my car.

My primary use case would be for monitoring the car when I'm away. We frequently have a third party drive the vehicle and would like to keep track of it. That said, the trips are sometimes fairly short. A 3-5 minute GPS sync time would wipe out the whole trip. Less than a minute sounds pretty decent: is that with our without the Bluetooth assist?

 

[9052042]

Great device, but US only 🙁.



I would never give up my privacy and driving habits to any insurer. Discounts are not substantial enough to justify the data you're giving up.

Lol, but as you like evolutionary ideas, here's one. You give access to the data to your health insurance provider so they can see how often you visit McDonalds drive through 😛

WHY?
My tracking device reported that my vehicle 1) made a harsh acceleration and 2) made a harsh left turn on a recent trip. The device does not have the ability to discern road conditions that might make it appear the acceleration was harsh or that the left turn was harsh. I would not want to be penalized for merging into a lane with no traffic but the oncoming driver was speeding as he came over the hill. Also, I would not want to be penalized for braking hard when some nincompoop pulled out from the side street or business in spite of the fact that drivers are moving at 45 mph and he should wait for traffic to pass.

A few points to make. I think I made it clear that I didn't like the insurance companies installing their cheap dongs, because of privacy concerns not to mention these devices are cheap and they report inaccurate data. Not to mention the insurer themselves own these devices and of course can say whatever they want happened.

This is EXACTLY why I said this Automatic could change things. Not only is this technology superior to the devices insurance companies install on your vehicle, but more importantly they are a non-biased third party. They can control what to provide these insurers and they can make sure its accurate because thats the whole selling point of their devices. Insurance companies can put whatever junk they want, collect what they want then claim what they want.

Automatic will not be in the business of earning a slice from this add-on service, but rather it will entice its users to its product. Because not only do you get really accurate data about your vehicle but through partnerships you get other perks like potentially lower insurance, etc..

PS I rarely eat at Mcdonalds but if I can provide them with data without compromising my privacy, I totally would if it helps cover me better in case of emergency. By the way I think HealthKit will provide that option eventually and because its going through Apple, I can feel comfortable that they won't compromise my privacy. I wouldn't trust my data with Google because they would just go and sell it.

 

[halfapie]

Disappointing to see that the Fuel related features are now gone.

 

[doctor-don]

A few points to make. I think I made it clear that I didn't like the insurance companies installing their cheap dongs, because of privacy concerns not to mention these devices are cheap and they report inaccurate data. Not to mention the insurer themselves own these devices and of course can say whatever they want happened.

This is EXACTLY why I said this Automatic could change things. Not only is this technology superior to the devices insurance companies install on your vehicle, but more importantly they are a non-biased third party. They can control what to provide these insurers and they can make sure its accurate because thats the whole selling point of their devices. Insurance companies can put whatever junk they want, collect what they want then claim what they want.

Automatic will not be in the business of earning a slice from this add-on service, but rather it will entice its users to its product. Because not only do you get really accurate data about your vehicle but through partnerships you get other perks like potentially lower insurance, etc..

PS I rarely eat at Mcdonalds but if I can provide them with data without compromising my privacy, I totally would if it helps cover me better in case of emergency. By the way I think HealthKit will provide that option eventually and because its going through Apple, I can feel comfortable that they won't compromise my privacy. I wouldn't trust my data with Google because they would just go and sell it.

NO device is able to report that a hard braking was because some idiot pulled out from a side street or business. Accuracy can only be related to the reported info in the vehicle's computer. This is why I have a dash cam.

 

[9052042]

NO device is able to report that a hard braking was because some idiot pulled out from a side street or business. Accuracy can only be related to the reported info in the vehicle's computer. This is why I have a dash cam.

Yea but a third party non-biased company can probably analyze the data better and see that this one hard braking was an anomaly. Insurance companies don't have the understanding to do so, nor do they really want to. They just want any excuse to hike up your premiums. Not to mention Automatic can introduce other camera products that extend the functionality of its product as it grows.

 

[DaveTheRave]

If anyone is interested you can get one for $20 off and free shipping by buying with this link: http://automatic.com/twit

Not sure how long the deal will last.

 

[StarShot]

Looks like it is only free for five years. Still not bad though.

https://www.automatic.com/pro/

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According to an article in the WSJ, a company "spokeman" said the company had no intention to ever charge for the service. However, 5 years in the electronic age is a millennium. So, if you want one, get it and don't worry.