Fundamentally speaking, automobiles have become the "ultimate mobile devices", and at the same time, the owners will also become "connected owners." This is not just a set of empty rhetoric: As a strategic advisor and analyst in this field, since 1998, in order to write about this fundamental change in the automobile field, I have already begun to use this terminology. In the next decade, this change will also become a reality. By 2016, most car buyers will use the information on whether the car can access the Internet as an important indicator of buying a car. For high-end car buyers, this tipping point will come faster: 2014. Yes, it is next year.

To ensure the smooth arrival of the Internet of Things, "Connected Cars" will use leading technologies in sensor, display, wireless, and in-vehicle data communications, machine learning, analysis, voice recognition, and content management. The application of these technologies will bring more benefits and opportunities, such as: reducing the accident rate, increasing efficiency, improving traffic, reducing emissions, improving the availability of electric vehicles, more entertainment options, new marketing and business experience .

In addition to providing new functions for autos and car owners, “connected cars” will also expand the intrinsic business model of the auto industry and push it to a broader platform through which to collaborate with more industries – IT, Retail, financial services, media, consumer electronics, etc. This is a major change because it will challenge the traditional automotive business model. The auto company must not only consider the sales and maintenance of the car, but also pay attention to the overall business opportunities of the car.

From the current situation, the car is ready for networking. The innovations and changes mentioned in this article will also mature at a faster rate of growth over the next 20 years. In 2016, at least three companies will announce their own plans for new products that will provide advanced automotive automation technology.

This is not a fantasy, take a look at the latest developments in the automotive sector - Avis acquired Zipcar, Tesla's devaluation of automotive software wireless update service, Intel began to significantly involved in the connected car industry chain, large telecom operators like Sprint began to expand in the car Research in the field, an Apple executive becoming a member of the board of a car manufacturer, these are all signs of the upcoming trend.