HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment group (NYSE:HAR), unveiled two new services for the automotive market that leverage the Aha by HARMAN Cloud Platform and HARMAN’s infotainment system design leadership to ensure safe, personalized and connected driving experiences throughout the life of the vehicle. Extending beyond the popular Aha Radio interactive content service, the new Aha Updates and Aha Analytics services take HARMAN’s expertise and investments in cloud infrastructure into new directions.
The new Aha Updates service allows automakers to easily upgrade existing infotainment and audio systems to extend the lifespan of vehicles. This service will allow automakers and drivers to upgrade in-car audio and infotainment systems, connect to cloud-based content more easily and consistently improve embedded software features. Aha Updates will offer consumers a convenient and reliable way to keep vehicle software current, and actually extend system functionality – with emerging applications ranging from toll collection to parking assistance.
Additionally, the new Aha Analytics vehicle and driver insights service will aggregate and analyze information collected through opt-in data sharing from a car’s infotainment and on-board diagnostics. By also then connecting and uploading that data through the Aha by HARMAN Cloud Platform, HARMAN can offer automakers, insurance companies, and other service companies the ability to analyze usage patterns, enhance vehicle maintenance and improve driver safety. The new Aha Analytics offering will aggregate vehicle specific data to support a wide array of applications including reliable safety and lost vehicle services, location services and map updates, and even remote vehicle diagnostic monitoring capabilities.
“At CES, HARMAN is showcasing exciting new solutions that upgrade, connect, and improve the infotainment and audio experiences for vehicles on the road today,” said David Slump, president, HARMAN Automotive Services. “Thanks to the rapid pace of technology innovation and adoption of new connected consumer experiences, vehicles become outdated quickly from a driver experience perspective. HARMAN is essentially future-proofing vehicles for our OEM customers by introducing a cloud platform that delivers value throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle.”
The benefits of Aha Updates and Aha Analytics services for automakers include lower warranty and customer care costs by reducing dealership visits, increased consumer software update take-rates and higher customer satisfaction through a more convenient update process, higher quality software and access to new features.
HARMAN at CES 2014
Visit HARMAN during CES 2014 for demonstrations of Aha Updates and Aha Analytics as well as the company’s full portfolio of infotainment and lifestyle audio systems. The ONE HARMAN experience showcase is located at the Hard Rock Hotel.
