We’re excited about the emerging Connected Car space — it should be a big part of tech life in 2015. One of our favorite players in the space is Mojio. The app platform just released their Connected Car platform, which plugs into most cars built after 1996. The product interfaces via Mojio’s partnership with AT&T (US) and Telus (Canada), and provides valuable data and a totally new driving experience. Mojio just released its consumer platform this week on Amazon, and is already getting rave reviews.
Won’t I have to buy a new car to get it Connected?
You could! New cars are fun. But for the hundreds of millions of vehicles already on the road, connectivity is still possible. The solution is the onboard diagnostic port (OBD-II), which exists on most models made after 1996. Historically used by mechanics, a slew of apps are interfacing with it via Bluetooth or network dongles. This provides crucial information on diagnostics, distance, speed, location, fuel economy and other telemetric data. Your hatchback won’t be able to drive itself, but — call it the Quantified Car — this new technology will revolutionize the way drivers interact with their car.
What does Mojio plan to bring to the emerging Connected Car ecosystem?
Just released for consumers, Mojio can do all of the above, but also functions as a platform for developers. Richard Woodruff, Vice President of Business Development at Mojio, explains the vision: “Our mission,” he says, “is to be the ubiquitous application and service platform for the Connected Car.” The solution is an open “app store” for automotive tech. Richard thinks that automotive manufacturers will be reluctant to open their platforms, so it will be up to a third-party like Mojio to forge a standard.
What kind of opportunities does Mojio offer for advertisers?
The platform communicates with the user when it’s most relevant — and only then. “You don’t have to engage proactively with the applications,” says Richard. “You could! But Mojio enables the development of apps that engage only when you need to know something.” That strategy dovetails with Mojio’s partnership with advertising platform Kiip. Through Kiip’s “Rewarding Moments,” driving triggers random rewards. Example: if you drive, the app could send an offer for a free cup of coffee in the vicinity of the vehicle. It’s not a distraction, and could be a boon for conversion on-the-go.
