性视界

The Automatic Pro is a $129 dongle that plugs into a car鈥檚 OBDII port (in most cars since 1996) to provide you with meaningful data, car tracking, emergency services, and the power of the connected internet¹.

 

 

Data: Once Automatic is connected in your car, it uses GPS and 3G syncing to start sending you data from your car鈥檚 on-board computer. This data is organized by trips. For every trip taken, you get a map of the route taken, MPG information and driving style analysis. Additionally, every time that vague 鈥渃heck engine鈥� light comes on, the app gives you a detailed explanation of the issue, possible locations to get it serviced, or even an option to ignore and reset the indicator if it鈥檚 not a serious concern. Automatic鈥檚 mission is to empower drivers with knowledge about themselves and their cars so they can be safer and drive smarter.

Tracking and emergency services: Through the Automatic app, you can track your car鈥檚 whereabouts at any time. This can be to check on the safety of a loved one, or in case you forgot where you parked. Further, in case the dongle detects that your car has been involved in a crash, it can聽notify emergency services of the incident and even send them your car鈥檚 location for a faster response time.

Power of the internet: This is where the true power of Automatic comes into play. Automatic ties up with IFTTT (If This Then That),聽which is an online services company to link a user鈥檚 online accounts and devices to each other and set-up trigger based actions². For example, you can set up a 鈥渞ecipe鈥� to switch off your internet connected home lights and garage door whenever you leave home, or to send a text to your spouse whenever you leave office. The possibilities here are endless, and will continue to increase as more users聽start to take advantage of this platform³.

 

 

Automatic Pro SWOT Analysis

Strengths: Automatic gives drivers the power of data, and reduces their reliance on traditionally costly car maintenance services. This also helps the company gain big data on driving trends around the US and the world. They found that the most aggressive drivers are in Phoenix, and least aggressive in Seattle⁴.

Weaknesses: Automatic is still a niche product, and only benefits the most objective drivers⁵. The app is still a bit clunky, and doesn鈥檛 give immediately actionable feedback. Having a detailed map of your trips with analysis of when you accelerated or braked too hard doesn鈥檛 help ex-facto⁶.

Opportunities: Automatic has currently been targeting the consumer market and individual drivers. However, I think this can be a great addition to commercial trucks that are part of a supply chain. This would give the owners a real-time view of the vehicle鈥檚 location and even set up location based alerts to see if the driver will reach the destination on time or if a delay is expected (without having to call and follow-up with each individual driver). Another market can be insurance providers who would install these dongles in their client鈥檚 cars to tailor insurance premiums based on the driver鈥檚 driving habits and trends.

Threats: There are several similar dongles now on the market, and Automatic must quickly pivot to set itself up as a market leader. Currently Automatic does not have a clear competitive advantage other than the app or online dashboard, which can be easily replicated or improved upon. Automatic is also threatened by the onset of new 鈥渟mart cars鈥� that have these features built in and greatly enhanced due to first-party integration by the manufacturers.

 

Conclusion: Automatic is an example of technology being used to give users more data and context to then make more informed and rational decisions. This technology is still at a nascent stage, with a lot of headroom to grow and pivot to different industries.

 

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