Automatic today announced the launch of its next-generation connected car adapter, the Automatic Pro. The Automatic Pro, built on the second-generation Automatic Adapter, is the company's new flagship adapter, equipped with 3G cellular connectivity.

With an always-on 3G connection that carries no subscription fees, the Automatic Adapter is no longer reliant on an iPhone for functionality. Data is collected continuously, even when someone else is driving or when a smartphone isn't in the car.

automaticpropackaging
Like the existing Automatic Adapter, the new version plugs into a car's OBD-II port to provide information like distance traveled, gas used, time spent in the car, and more. In addition to offering notifications to advise drivers on how to optimize speeds, save gas, and monitor engine alerts, the Automatic Pro can also do things like let users know when the time limit on a parking spot is up or connect with emergency services in the event of an accident with real-time vehicle location tracking.

"We're excited to be using the power of cellular connectivity to build upon the offerings of the second generation adapter and combine a beautiful, scalable UI with an extensive range of features that will help consumers the most," said Ljuba Miljkovic, Co-Founder of Automatic.

Along with the Automatic Pro, Automatic is launching a new Automatic app featuring customizable notifications, built-in IFTTT integration, the aforementioned emergency crash alert feature, and more advanced engine light diagnostics.

automaticproapp
The Automatic Pro adapter is available beginning today for $129.95. It can be purchased from Automatic.com, Best Buy, or Amazon and it includes no ongoing service fees.

Top Rated Comments

Weaselboy Avatar
99 months ago
With an always-on 3G connection that carries no subscription fees...
Looks like it is only free for five years. Still not bad though.

https://www.automatic.com/pro/



Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thekeyring Avatar
99 months ago
How is this Pro when it can't replace my laptop?!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
clukas Avatar
99 months ago
Great device, but US only :(.

The next step for something like this would be a partnership with insurance providers or even adding insurance options. Using all this data is a great way to gauge drivers driving behavior. I know some insurance companies are doing that with their own dongles but there is no transparency in what they collect and how they use it. Also their dongles are probably cheap devices that don't offer a full-set of features and likely prone to measuring mistakes.

I love such products because they have a natural extension and pathway to growth if they utilize it correctly.
I would never give up my privacy and driving habits to any insurer. Discounts are not substantial enough to justify the data you're giving up.

Lol, but as you like evolutionary ideas, here's one. You give access to the data to your health insurance provider so they can see how often you visit McDonalds drive through :p
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eagle33199 Avatar
99 months ago
Being in a restaurant or at the gym and having 3G available for my iPad is why I'm asking. Depending on how far away my car is.
This device doesn't provide a 3G/WIFI link. read the article. it simply uses 3G for its own data uploads, instead of connecting to your phone via bluetooth to upload data.

I have one of the second gen ones this is designed on, and it's great. The IFTTT integration lets me automatically port everything over into a google spreadsheet for long-term mileage tracking, and once in google it's easy to play with and extract info, like the total distance I commute each year for volunteer activities (which then goes in as a deduction on taxes!). It also will give you good distance tracking if you get reimbursed for travel from work.

Plus, in my old car, being able to get the engine codes when the check engine light came on probably saved me a few hundred dollars, knowing that I could safely ignore the light when I had an exhaust sensor go bad.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H3LL5P4WN Avatar
99 months ago
My Wrangler has most of these features built in, and it's just the Sport (base) model. I can get a code scanner for like $75 on Amazon.

Now, if it let me reprogram parameters like shift points etc, then I'd be interested.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
99 months ago
Looks like it is only free for five years. Still not bad though.

https://www.automatic.com/pro/

Do you really worry about the 5 year limit? Most likely, In 5 years you will have upgraded it twice!

The only drawback I see for this new adapter is that it may not have a built-in GPS like Automatic 2nd Gen does (According to the Automatic Pro app description).
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
iPhone Home Screen Gradient Blank Spaces 1

Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid

Sunday March 24, 2024 1:33 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
iPad Pro 2024 Landscape Camera Feature

New iPad Pro Again Rumored to Feature Landscape Front-Facing Camera

Monday March 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
sonoma desktop wwdc

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 With Fix for USB Hub Bug

Monday March 25, 2024 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, a minor update for the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 comes three weeks after macOS Sonoma 14.4. The ‌‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌‌ 14.4‌.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.6 release for those who...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18 Will Finally Bring This Android Feature to iPhone

Monday March 25, 2024 6:42 am PDT by
iOS 18 will allow iPhone users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid, according to sources familiar with development of the software update. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, our sources said that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18....
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...