Remote vehicle access
The vehicle remote access (Engl. "Remote access on a motor vehicle") is in the automotive sector of spatially separate access to data or functions of a motor vehicle for the purpose of operation or diagnostics and maintenance.
Concept and definition
Remote vehicle access is divided into two applications:
- Vehicle remote control: Spatially separate operation of functions or reading of operating data of the motor vehicle. The vehicle remote control is carried out by the user of the motor vehicle.
- Remote vehicle diagnosis : Physically separate vehicle diagnosis and maintenance . The remote vehicle diagnosis is usually carried out by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle.
Components
Vehicle control units
The vehicle's control units provide data and functions for remote access. The data can be operating data or diagnostic data. The functions can be operational functions or maintenance functions. Operating data and operating functions address the user of the motor vehicle. Often offered operating data are the position of the vehicle and the fuel level or the range. Diagnostic data and maintenance functions address the manufacturer of the vehicle or the fleet operator. Diagnostic data often offered are hardware and software version information and error memory entries.
Communication module
A communication module establishes the connection between the vehicle control units and a server. In Europe, the connection is based on mobile communication according to the GPRS or UMTS standard. The system design determines whether the communication module can only be used when the power supply is activated. This is influenced by the position of the ignition switch. The vehicle is then also referred to as awake. It is usual that the communication module can also be used when the power supply is not activated. In this case the communication module is independent of the ignition lock position. This enables data from the vehicle to be read out or functions to be triggered even while the vehicle is parked.
server
The vehicle data is made available to end devices via a server. The server communicates with the communication module via a secure connection, e.g. VPN or SSL . Communication protocols between communication module and server allow reliable communication and handle the different power supply states of the vehicle control units.
Front end
The front end is the human-machine interface for displaying information and triggering functions. The front end for users of the motor vehicle is usually an app for smartphones or an Internet page that is displayed using a browser. The front end for the manufacturer for the purpose of diagnosis and maintenance is proprietary.
Functionality and examples
Remote vehicle diagnosis for manufacturers
Using remote vehicle diagnostics, manufacturers can identify faults in the motor vehicle at a lower cost compared to visits to the workshop. Errors can be eliminated by changing the control unit configuration or the control unit software. In addition to reactive use after a fault has been detected, the remote vehicle diagnosis can also be used to pursue proactive objectives. This is intended to prevent the occurrence of an error or at least create time for adequate planning of the error elimination.
Remote vehicle diagnosis for fleet operators
Fleet operators can pursue objectives similar to those of the manufacturers. Especially in the commercial sector, it is advantageous to avoid unplanned downtimes through proactive remote vehicle diagnosis.
Vehicle remote control for alternative drives (electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles)
Remote access to the vehicle has become very important, especially for alternative drives, because due to the limited battery capacity and thus limited range of electric vehicles, range information, route planning and planning of charging stations are essential for the driver at all times.
Vehicle remote control for infotainment systems
Infotainment systems or telematics systems in the automotive sector are particularly suitable for remote information and configuration due to their large number of settings. Various manufacturers allow a navigation destination to be transmitted to the vehicle's navigation system and the vehicle's position to be determined. The vehicle position is the basis for a number of functions and is used to find the way back to a parked vehicle, to find stolen vehicles or to display the range on a map.
Vehicle remote control for vehicle functions
Different manufacturers allow locking and unlocking of the doors, activation of the horn or headlight flasher, which should make it easier to find a parked vehicle, or the control of the air conditioning, which increases the comfort when starting a journey.
Security and data protection
The manufacturers and providers must comply with the applicable data protection regulations for the communication technology networking of motor vehicles . In addition to organizational and technical measures, a declaration of consent is usually obtained from the user.
Remarks
- ↑ Remote vehicle diagnosis is carried out, for example, for certain Mercedes-Benz vehicle model equipment series, which were built in 2019 and later, as part of the Internet connection service product "Mercedes me connect", which relates to customer vehicles, for example to monitor the wear and tear of the brake linings of a vehicle. With "BMW ConnectedDrive", BMW has a not dissimilar product on the market. The vehicle monitoring that can be carried out with it is within a very manageable framework - and cannot be compared with the diagnostic options in a workshop. See Matthew H Tong: First Look: Mercedes me connect - it's finally here. paultan.org Internet portal, December 23, 2019 (English)