Issue link: https://te.mouser.com/i/1472772
5 CONNECTED LIFE Environmental Concerns Automakers and government regulators have made great strides in reducing polluting emissions from cars. However, inefficient driving habits and traffic congestion hinder efforts to make cars more environmentally friendly. Traffic delays and congestion increase carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and drive up costs, causing more money to be spent combating pollution. When cars are more connected, including to infrastructure, they use less fuel (and pollute less) because there will be less time waiting in traffic (or even non-traffic). For example, technology can aid route optimization to avoid traffic delays and idling. Also, since it's estimated that 25 percent of city driving involves simply searching for parking spaces, navigation systems equipped with parking availability data can help drivers park and turn off cars faster. A vehicle's weight can be reduced by using lighter or miniaturized components, improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO 2 emissions. Driver and Passenger Preferences Consumers who are used to connectivity everywhere they go — at cafes, hotels, home or office — are reluctant to give up this information access when they are on the road and in their cars. Access to information can help people drive more efficiently and avoid hazards — for example, avoiding traffic congestion or choosing safer routes when the weather is bad. To bring car owners features that improve driver comfort, navigation and guidance, automakers must work with technology vendors to create in-dashboard applications that supply drivers and passengers with cloud-connected information and services. These telematics systems provide two-way communications — to the vehicle and from the vehicle. Solutions Needed for Connected Cars Building cars that are safer, greener, and consumer-friendly requires a complex combination of hardware, software, and connectivity and sensor solutions: • Robust and reliable connectivity and sensor technologies • Core connectivity — essential, seamless power signal and data • Reliable performance in harsh environments, such as extreme temperature variations, and vibrations in rugged terrain • Miniaturization — ever smaller, lighter, and modular components • Effective, safe, and efficient power management • Faster data transmission, which consumers have come to expect in their connected homes • Sensing for improved performance and monitoring Cars: When EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS TE products connect almost every electrical function in cars — from alternative power systems to infotainment and sensor technologies. TE is committed to offering connectivity and sensor solutions that allow OEMs to bring innovation to the connected car universe: products that are smaller and lighter, and offer high reliability and performance in increasingly harsh environments. Visit te.com/connected-car to learn more about our broad product portfolio that is making connected cars a reality, such as our MATEnet modular and scalable connectors for high-speed Ethernet, MATE-AX miniaturized automotive coax connector system as well as other key products.