We all know 5G networks are here. Although autonomous vehicles are getting a substantial amount of attention, it is actually the technology that connects through fast speed and low latency cellular technology that is rapidly changing this industry with connected cars. As vehicles continue to advance, they are becoming more defined, automated, and electrified. In-vehicle connectivity is now thought to be a requirement from the outset. This transition to connected vehicles, that are intelligent, is certainly here and the smartphone will act as a personal assistant, providing music, the latest reports, and also maps that are needed.

The connected vehicle is reshaping our view of mobility and transportation. The goal is how rapidly companies can get the information to fleet managers, deploy predictive analytics and machine learning to report fast, and prevent or save the costs of the downtime. The industry is fast changing from the regular telematics used for data collection to a single gateway to provide connectivity to all the peripherals of the vehicle. The Connected Vehicle can communicate with the cloud and/or the transport infrastructure, and broadcast relevant information (e.g. Use cases for this data include real-time congestion reporting and forecasting based on GPS traces.

Cities are getting smarter every day. Municipalities are increasingly using information and communication technologies (ICT) to enrich and enhance city life, which is paramount in planning the cities of the future. The IoT drives efficiencies and delivers rich new services that have a positive impact in urban life. However, without effective strategies in place, cities can be unable to capitalize on these benefits. As part of the GSMA Connected Living programme, an initiative that lets operators add value and accelerate the delivery of new connected devices and services in the Internet of Things (IoT), the Smart Cities project is collaborating with mobile operators and a number of cities to create real, long-term benefits for businesses and citizens through IoT technologies.

Use streaming IoT data to uncover insights that help you better understand equipment health. Gain real-time visibility into manufacturing and supply chain processes; and monitor overall plant performance, product quality and vehicle safety issues to mitigate or avoid costly product recalls.

At the Geneva International Motor Show yesterday, next to the exhibition halls showing off car manufacturers' latest creations, industry experts and UN representatives gathered to discuss how they will fast-forward the automotive industry -- and the world -- into the future. The Symposium on the Future Networked Car (FNC-2018), convened by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), revealed how the automotive industry has been leveraging recent advances in information and communication technologies (ICT) to make transport systems safer, greener, and more intelligent. Participants highlighted the opportunities to be seized and challenges to be overcome for success. Curtis Hay, Technical Fellow at General Motors, described the recently launched Cadillac Super Cruise, which provides a hands-free driving experience. "We need more standards, and the worldwide use of harmonized standards. Connected cars need a lot of power so new standards for 5G can be the basis for connected vehicle standards"–Christoph Nolte, DEKRA A driver just needs to drive the car into a highway lane and, at the right time, push a button and let go, explained Hays, adding that the car performs breaking and collision avoidance.

Last week I attended a talk given by Bryan Mistele, president of Seattle-based INRIX. Bryan's talk provided a glimpse into the future of transportation, centering around four principle attributes, often abbreviated as ACES: Autonomous – Cars and trucks are gaining the ability to scan and to make sense of their environments and to navigate without human input. Connected – Vehicles of all types have the ability to take advantage of bidirectional connections (either full-time or intermittent) to other cars and to cloud-based resources. They can upload road and performance data, communicate with each other to run in packs, and take advantage of traffic and weather data. Electric – Continued development of battery and motor technology, will make electrics vehicles more convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

Activity on the tech labs front is happening faster than we can get to it these days, so here are a few "in case you missed it" items... The state of Ohio, JobsOhio and the Ohio State University are putting $45 million into an expansion of the Transportation Research Center's (TRC) 540-acre Smart Mobility Advanced Research and Test (SMART) Center in the Columbus area. Research will focus both on connected and driverless vehicles within this section of the 4,500-acre TRC expanse. This first phase of SMART expansion will include the industry's largest high-speed intersection, an urban network of intersections (i.e., roundabouts, or what we in the Northeast call rotaries), a rural network that includes wooded roads and a neighborhood network for slower speeds. TRC provides the largest independent vehicle testing facility in North America, according to TRC CEO Mark-Tami Hotta.

Hidden in the dashboard of most modern cars, on-board computers are quietly gathering a goldmine of data. Now Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has announced it is teaming up with Microsoft in an effort to mine some of this information. The new venture, called Toyota Connected, was announced by the car firm and will look to collect and analyse data from its cars and push towards'connected vehicles'. Toyota has announced it is teaming up with Microsoft in an effort to collect and analyse some of the valuable data being collected by its vehicles' on-board computers (stock image). Toyota Connected will focus on connecting cars to each other and to homes, as well as telematics features that learn a driver's habits According to the car firm, the goal is a move towards simplified technology, such as voice activated in-car computers.