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.
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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.
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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
(View all)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/
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 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.I love such products because they have a natural extension and pathway to growth if they utilize it correctly.
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
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.
Now, if it let me reprogram parameters like shift points etc, then I'd be interested.
Looks like it is only free for five years. Still not bad though.
Do you really worry about the 5 year limit? Most likely, In 5 years you will have upgraded it twice!https://www.automatic.com/pro/
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).