Connected cars are fast becoming a reality and has the potential to change the way businesses are run. A connected car facilitates devices inside the car to connect with the computing and application servers and use computing power to access real time information and data. Use cases are explained for Transportation, Healthcare and Education fields along with the business models.

1. Use Cases for Indian Scenarios
Connected Cars

2. Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Use Cases for Connected Cars
2.1 Connectivity on Wheels
2.1.1 Connected Bus
2.1.2 Ubiquitous Broker
2.1.3 Business Model
2.2 E- Healthcare using Connected Cars
2.2.1 Remote Doctor
2.2.2 Business Model
2.3 Mobile Education using Connected Cars
2.3.1 Connected Classrooms
2.3.2 Business Model
3. Challenges
3.1 Link Speed
3.2 Access Delays
3.3 Spatial Aspects
3.4 Modular Design
3.5 Creating an Ecosystem
3.6 Security
4 Summary
5 References
Author Info
Table of Contents

3. In a world of ubiquitous communication, people are more connected and mobile than ever before. Connect-
ed Cars is one such example stemming from a user’s need to remain connected, even when on the move. A
Connected Car is a car (or any moving vehicle) that is equipped with infrastructure to access external
networks, maybe via wireless local networks, for example. This allows the car to share internet access to
other devices both inside and outside the vehicle. Typically, such a car will have an Integrated Unit fitted with
wireless devices and interfaces, to which end user devices like Smartphones, Laptops, etc., are connected
(Figure 1). The wireless interface is used to get connected to a wireless network, which in-turn acts as a con-
duit to get connected to an external network.
Connected Cars can not only change the way people travel but also shape how businesses are run. The
advertisement industry could get a new platform for revenue generation. The healthcare industry could close
the distance barrier between doctors and patients. The education industry could bridge the gap between the
quality of education in rural and urban populations. Traffic management could get a lot easier in future mega
cities.
This paper highlights some of those areas in light of both developing and developed economies. Case stud-
ies are provided for the transport, healthcare, and education sectors, and the underlying challenges / open
issues are discussed for each use case
‘Connected Cars’ has been a concept that has been investigated and prototyped for quite some time now.
The technological aspects of a connected car involving how the devices inside the car can be connected
with the computing and application servers, and the use of computing power to access real time information
and data, is well understood. Using high speed connectivity like LTE (Long Term Evolution) inside the car to
provide seamless connectivity and mobility is increasing, coupled with cloud computing infrastructure. Capi-
talizing on these various building blocks, this paper tries to explain a few use cases of connected cars, with
particular relevance to India. Use cases are covered for applications in the field of transport, healthcare, and
education. Business models are discussed in each of these applications to bring understanding on the vari-
ous players involved in these scenarios. Major challenges are explained and the conclusion provides the next
steps for how to take this discussion further. The paper also covers the significant characteristics of the wire-
less network and the cloud computing system, the challenges involved, and the business issues. The paper
focuses on how the next generation car can evolve into a sophisticated device, providing multiple services
and how companies - like service providers, the auto-industry, content providers, and computing platform
vendors can integrate themselves to achieve a common vision.
1. Introduction
Abstract

4. In this section, we describe two use cases for connectivity on wheels, specific to the Indian context. Our
belief is that these use cases are scenarios that can trigger application and business propositions across
vendors who are
2. Use Cases for Connected Cars
2.1 Connectivity on Wheels
Figure 1. Connected Car and its interfaces
Integrated unit of car fitted with
wireless (say LTE) device and interfaces
wireless
network
End user devices are
connected using
802.11g or through
USB port
Content
Resides
Smart
phone
Laptop PDA
Service
Provider GW
cloud
server
wireless
Packet core
IP

5. 2.1.1 Connected Bus
2.1.2 Ubiquitous Broker
The second use case is the concept of the “Ubiquitous Broker”. In this case, imagine a stock broker, who is
traveling in Mumbai and is trading in the Bombay Stock Exchange. The stock broker is very sensitive to price
fluctuations on the stock exchange, and desires an up-to-date status, even when traveling. By a combina-
tion of high speed network connectivity and cloud computing, it is possible for the broker to get the current
information on stock prices and he/she will be able to trade even when on the move (see Figure 2). Hence,
his/her connected car could become a virtual office.
Consider a scenario where a lot of people travel by high-tech luxury buses for long distances. During the
journey, passengers pass their time by watching movies in the bus but literally have no choice about what
they would like to watch or listen to.
In the “Connected Bus” scenario, assume that each passenger has a small smart screen in front of his/her
seat, which is connected to the cloud via wireless connectivity available in the bus. This allows a whole new
set of applications that each passenger can access - be it entertainment, net surfing, or even, work. People
can watch movies, or the news, or play interactive games – of their own choice.
This type of connectivity is also helpful in bus-to-bus communication, where a bus breakdown can be com-
municated to another bus and the necessary action can be taken to transport stranded passengers. Typical-
ly, on highways there are traffic congestions owing to accidents and other reasons. In such cases,
bus-to-bus communication
can help drivers navigate alternate routes.
This use case brings out a business model where a wireless network operator could have a tie up with the
bus
operator, and they both can have an agreement with a cloud computing vendor. Based on the demographic
pattern of the people, movies of choice can be played by the vendors with a discount provided to the bus
operator, thereby providing bulk discounts and increasing the revenue.

6. Let us take the first use case where the bus passenger requests a movie of his choice. The content provider
in
the cloud interacts with the wireless service provider based on the location of the passenger; and since this
request is originating from a bus, the wireless service provider provides a QoS (Quality of Service) tunnel to
the passenger, based on the agreement between the bus operator and the service provider. Once the trans-
port characteristics are setup, the content provider can stream the required application to the passenger.(-
See Figure 3 for more details).
2.1.3 Business Model
wireless service
provider
luxury
bus
Compute
Cloud
Storage
cloud
Broker

7. Similarly, in the second scenario, the broker bids for a stock and sends out his negotiated value based on
the value provided by the directory service in the cloud. This triggers the banking infrastructure or stock
service to provide a transport QoS. This can be made possible by interacting with the wireless service
provider to facilitate secure media transport. The bid is translated in to a transaction which is responded to
by the banking service, and the deal is struck.
In both these scenarios, the storage and computing cloud can be provided by cloud computing vendors,
who can loan out storage and computing power as services to the other players in these transactions.
Luxury Bus
Storage
Server
Wireless
Provider
Content
Provider
Transaction from
passenger
Request to
Content Provider
for live streaming
Negatiations for
storage space
based on
agreement
Negotiations for
Oos parameters
based on
agreement
Request for
storage space for
the registered
subscriber
Grant of storage
space
Live streaming
provided
Start of interactive session

8. Healthcare is one of those critical areas where the advantages of this concept can help provide critical,
on-the-move medical services for both developing and developed economies. Medical emergencies like
road accidents, heart ailments, etc., can be diagnosed on the run, without delay. Apart from medical emer-
gencies, the connected car can be used as a mobile hospital or e-Healthcare center that provides medical
care to the masses in remote or rural areas.
2.2 E- Healthcare using Connected Cars
Patient data can be maintained at the cloud server and can be made accessible anywhere and at any time if
sufficient connectivity is provided. For example, a traveling medical consultant in a connected vehicle can
access patient data, and so also can a specialist doctor in the hospital (see Figure 4). The service provider
gateway facilitates access to the database from the cloud server using APIs. The security and integrity of the
data is managed by the service provider along with other user authentication mechanisms. The connected
car can access the service provider gateway using the nearest wireless network.
2.2.1 Remote Doctor
Connected Car equipped
with healthcare facility
Wireless
Network
Doctor in City
Hospital
Wireless Service
ProviderCloud computing
Facility
Patient
Database
Manager

9. Consider an example where a connected car, which is a mobile hospital, reaches a remote area where a
patient is located. The medical consultant in the mobile hospital then connects the patient to the doctor
through an interactive video session. The doctor can then do a real time diagnosis of the patient’s condition
using the medical history of the patient available from the cloud server. Based on the doctor’s findings, the
consultant can even do minor operations / surgeries and provide prescriptive treatment and more.
This approach proves very useful in cases of epidemics, minor surgeries, and diagnosis based on laser tech-
nology.
Another great advantage is that the treatment can be made available in less time and larger numbers
of patients can be treated with a limited number of specialist doctors. In cases of epidemics like the swine
flu, this kind of approach provides a very promising solution. Accessibility to specialists, consultants, and
hospitals is a major concern, especially in developing economies like India. A large population remains
devoid of better healthcare facilities. Since wireless network provides a wide coverage area, the connected
car can provide healthcare facilities to a good number of towns and cities. A high speed network at the edge
of a major city can connect to most adjacent towns and country sides so that a large number of towns and
villages can be connected using few of such connected cars. These cars can also be connected between
themselves and can always be connected to major hospitals to address hundreds of patients on a daily
basis.
Wireless
Network
Gateway
(with charging
Function)
Hospital
/Doctor
Cloud (with
charging
function)
App
server
LTE sensors
(inside car)
WIRELESS
DEVICE
Negotiation of
partners
Request for
healthcare
service
Request made
to service
provider GW
API Based interface
Service Provider GW-
Cloud Server
Request
forwarded to
doctor
Request for
healthcare
service
Request made
to service
provider GW
APT based
interface
hospital cloud

10. An end-to-end collaborative approach to innovation and technology development is required for providing
connected car-based e-Healthcare solutions. The evolution of a business model will benefit the medical
fraternity, the auto industry, product developers, service providers and end consumers while at the same time
reducing the socio-economic gap between the developed and developing geographies.
A service provider can charge the end-user, based on the content used, and the cloud vendor can charge
the service provider as well as the end-user. Figure 5 illustrates the role of various players in transactions
using wireless networks and cloud servers. These solutions will be cost-effective and provide ample growth
opportunities to each partner involved. While the creation of such ecosystems might bring technical, cultural
and business challenges, ecosystem initiatives like ngConnect [1] are vital to drive collaborative and innova-
tive ideas to realize these ideas in the country
2.2.2 Business Model
In the education industry, there is a dearth of teachers, infrastructure, and money compounded with the chal-
lenge of distances between schools and students. Connected cars, powered by high speed infrastructure,
can reduce these gaps. In rural areas, this concept can be used to provide primary education to children and
the needy. In urban areas it can be used to improve the quality of education. This concept can be further
extended to educate a specific section like farmers, in order to improve crop production nation-wide.
2.3 Mobile Education using Connected Cars
EPs can collect fee from end user and give
it to SPGs and UCSs
Service
Provider
Gateway
(SPG)
Wireless
Network
Connected Car
Camera
Projector
Camera
Projector
Education Provider /
Goverment (EP)
Universities /Colleges /
Schools (UCS))

11. Connected cars installed with a projector and camera - where a live video streaming from an actual class can
be displayed on the projector screen - can act as virtual classrooms in rural areas. Classes from a real class-
room in an urban location can be live streamed to students attending virtual classrooms in rural areas using
a wireless backbone. A faculty can teach and take questions in real time to/from students attending such
virtual classes with the help of connected cars. With ubiquitous high speed networks that provide enough
bandwidth for rich media services, such long distance classes can get a boost, because the cost of equip-
ment in terms of design and cost of parts – will decline dramatically as the economies of scale become feasi-
ble. A connected car can be provided to a group of villages, which can be sponsored by public-private part-
nerships. Providing a connected car to a village is far easier, less time consuming, and infrastructurally more
viable than building infrastructure and finding good teachers for each such facilities. The power of cloud
computing and fast accessibility through wireless networks can broadcast online classes in real-time, which
will give an almost real life class experience.
2.3.1 Connected Classrooms
No business can sustain if it is not economically beneficial. The end user i.e. students will definitely be bene-
fited by easy access to quality classrooms. They do not need to travel long distances and also get a better
quality of education. In India, there are over 6 lakh villages. Thus rural areas, due to the enormous size, can
provide huge business opportunities. Education providers will be the key entity in the model who can bring
all the other stakeholders together, such as service providers, and schools/colleges on the same platform.
Education providers can take care of all the charges that are required for service provider networks and work
as a bridge between schools/colleges and students. Schools/colleges/universities can have greater
outreach when they work via the education providers, which means growth in revenues for them. Service
providers will provide the back-bone of the communication i.e. LTE connection. These telecom companies
will benefit from this new arena of revenues. A use diagram describing the role of various players involved in
this business model, is shown in Figure 7.
2.3.2 Business Model

12. 3. Challenges
Many of us are mobile in some sense, and we are expected to be wireless; we want to be wireless and we
havebecome dependent on wireless, regardless of where we are. If all our applications and data are accessi-
ble from anywhere, frequent travelers would not have to worry about downloading the necessary files before
moving off to yet another customer meeting. The major challenge is to ensure that connected cars meet
customer expectations in terms of bandwidth and real time computing power. The main determinants of the
user experience are the data rate of the network and the number of users on the channel. Access delay is
another factor that needs to be considered along with the spatial aspects on what coverage a user can
expect.
Class Start
EP sent request
to SPG for live Connected car
will receive the
video and
project
Student may
have question
Question
forwarded
to EPRecived by
faculty to
answer
UCS EP SPG CC

13. The licensed spectrum used by the wireless system is both scarce and costly, and therefore heavily used.
Heavy use means interference from remote systems — base stations, and mobiles as well. That means less
SNIR (Signal to Noise Interference Ratio) and therefore lower data rates — even at short distances. Base
stations and base station sites are expensive, so the cell coverage of mobile systems is likely to remain rela-
tively large (e.g., 2 or 3 kilometers in diameter). At the edge of these cells, data rates may drop to hundreds
of kb/s, if not below. So the challenge is to ensure good link speed even under unfavorable conditions.
Another challenge is that existing and new operators should migrate to high speed technology such as LTE,
and establish it in all the pockets where they wish to provide connected car-based applications and solu-
tions. One of the challenges is to provide ubiquitous LTE connectivity across highways. Typically, in remote
areas, LTE connectivity is not viable. So, LTE to 3G hand down or such similar mechanisms of LTE down-
grading should be an option. The LTE operator should be able to overlay lower speed connectivity technolo-
gy where LTE pockets are not viable due to business considerations. This will ensure that some simple low
bandwidth and latency tolerant applications can run, even when LTE connectivity is not available.
3.1 Link Speed
Compared to a disk that delivers applications and large data volumes at little or no delay, accessing a file
from a server over wireless links might show noticeable delay. Assume that a doctor has to get patient details
from a centralized database at the hospital. It may take less than a second or so, but it is on a file server in
a cloud. He might have to download the content, make modifications based on his diagnosis, and upload it
back again. This needs to be done in real time, and thus access delay becomes an important factor to be
considered. Another related factor is the Quality of Service (QoS) delivered via cloud in LTE-based connected
cars. Cloud providers will have to meet the various QoS parameters of each individual subscriber or consum-
er, and LTE - as a transport layer - will be crucial to meet this requirement. Due to the high bandwidth and
low latency, LTE is well poised to bridge this gap compared to other conventional technologies.
3.2 Access Delays
Gigabit data rates require a huge bandwidth or a huge SNIR. To ensure transmitter power, and that the cost
is reasonable, and to ensure that multiple users can share the gigahertz bandwidths of the wireless systems,
highly directional antennas can be used; but that eliminates mobile use. Hence, this is another area to be
looked into.
3.3 Spatial Aspects

14. One of the major challenges for the automotive industry is to keep pace with the changing technology in the
electronics industry. Obsolescence in the electronic industry is very rapid. But any new car, by virtue of more
processes, takes a lot more time to be launched in the market than an electronics product. So, the future
connected car has to be modular in a way that it can be easily upgradeable so that it can keep pace with the
changing technology in the electronics industry.
3.4 Modular Design
The whole is always better than the part, which brings us to the next challenge. We need to develop an eco-
system where all the participants can come together and pursue “Open Innovation” to deliver end-to-end
solutions based on consumer needs. One such example is ngConnect [1]; but a lot more needs to be done
depending on the legalities, pricing policy of the country involved, availability of spectrum and the inter-oper-
ability of devices among existing service providers.
3.5 Creating an Ecosystem
Other major issues include security and data integrity. The demand for seamless mobility has never been
more pronounced. Nearly every business transaction is connected to the Internet in some manner. With the
inception of cloud computing, the user’s personal information will be available through the internet. An effec-
tive security policy should be set in place to ensure that there is no misuse of the end user’s personal infor-
mation.
3.6 Security
4. Summary
Connected cars are fast becoming a reality. The pressure on the automobile industry to bring connected-cars
to the market is going to increase. It’s only a matter of time before most companies will launch their products
in the market. It might be a good idea to explore a proof of concept of one of these use cases for connected
cars, keeping in mind the business gain that each scenario could bring. As a next step, we can explore other
scenarios that are applicable to the Indian market, understand the market value that each brings, and then
venture into a proof of concept demonstration for one of these scenarios, in partnership with the necessary
vendors.

15. 5. Reference
[1] http://ngconnect.org/service-concepts/connected-service-vehicle/
[2] http://www.inc.com/magazine/20091101/the-connected-car.html
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3GPP_Long_Term_Evolution
[4] The Momentum behind LTE Adoption by Darren McQueen IEEE Communications Magazine, Feb 2009.
[5] Untethered Clouds by Jan Kruys IEEE wireless Communication, August 2009.
Harikrishna C Warrier
HCL Engineering and R&D Services
Author Info

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