Changan Auto, China Mobile to co-develop smart car

Shanghai, November 19 (Gasgoo.com) Changan Auto has signed a strategic cooperation agreement this week with China Mobile, the country's top telecom carrier, to develop a smart vehicle based on 3G wireless technologies, Xinhua News reported.

The smart car will feature a 3G wireless communications package that allows for remote surveillance, control, and management. The "3G car" occupants will be able to use GPS and navigation services, browse the web, stream audio and video, send and receive e-mail, compose documents, and even conduct small-scale video-conferences.

The two companies will apply machine-to-machine (M2M) technology by embedding telecom modules in the car, which will collect operating data and transmit it for processing via 3G networks. This would enable remote monitoring and management.

The next-generation smart car will be equipped with features such as remote diagnostics, remote control, remote positioning and tracking, the Internet, and technologies which emulate an office environment.

Reports in August said that No. 2 telecom carrier China Telecom's Shanghai subsidiary planned to partner with General Motors to launch vehicles with pre-installed EVDO-based information service systems later this year.