SmartDeviceLink - Case Studies

SmartDeviceLink (SDL) brings content into in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems as a one-to-one relationship. It also services a wide ranging number of other solutions that include commercial applications. For context as to what SDL is capable of, the SDL Project Maintainer, Livio, has outlined some of their projects to showcase the software's features. Each of these case studies highlights one of the many ways SDL brings applications into the vehicle.

Fleet Management Logistics Food Service

Enhancing Ride Sharing with SDL.

Scenario 1: Ride share drivers depend solely on their phones and third party hardware in order to manage ride requests.

Scenario 2: The user's ride sharing experience is limited.

Scenario 3: With both the driver and rider depending on their phones and hardware, the whole experience disregards much of the vehicle's functionality.

Scenario 1: Logistics drivers depend on either 3rd party hardware, or using their phones in order to manage their routes.

Scenario 2: The consumer has limited visibility into the status of consumer deliveries.

Scenario 3: The driver's dispatch system has to rely on the driver’s phone or hardware system to communicate to the driver.

Scenario 1: Ordering from a mobile phone can be distracting.

Scenario 2: Drive-thru technology is outdated or unreliable.

Scenario 3: The store's system has no way of knowing a customer's arrival time. Orders are based on when they are received, as opposed to when they will be picked up.

The SDL Solution

SmartDeviceLink can be implemented into several aspects of an application, improving the experience of ride sharing. SDL provides software for vehicles and content/app providers; whether the app resides on a mobile device, in the vehicle, or in the cloud, SDL has it covered. After an SDL connection has been established between the driver and rider, data can be passed back and forth. This includes rental cars and ride sharing. Any app considering a fleet management or ride share solution can leverage SmartDeviceLink to enhance the experience.

Requesting a Ride

Using a mobile app, the rider is able to see information about drivers, such as location, which is supplied from the driver's vehicle connected to the cloud. The rider is then able to request rides, matching the mobile app with a specific vehicle.

In-Vehicle Alerts

The server, acting as the connection between the app and vehicle, can alert the driver of rider requests directly to the IVI system.

Driver Accepts

After accepting the ride request via the IVI system, SDL sends the driver the rider's information like location and destination. Through SDL, the driver can start navigating to the rider at this point.

Starting the Ride

Once the driver picks up the rider, the driver can "start the ride" via prompts on the vehicle's IVI system. This will then immediately populate the navigation system with the rider's destination, give real time traffic and weather updates that could impact the route, populate the radio with the rider's "now playing," and begin a remote control session for the rider.

Remote Control

While the ride is "in progress", the SDL connection creates a temporary remote control session that allows the rider to control parts of the vehicle if permission was granted. The rider is able to control permitted vehicle settings, like radio, climate, and seat controls.

Ending the Ride

Upon arriving at the destination, the driver "ends the ride" via the vehicle's IVI system, and the remote control session ends. For user profiles, preferences can be saved for future in-vehicle experiences, and for the drivers, these logs allow for analytics for driving efficiency.

Starting Your Day

The driver is able to log in via the IVI system. The cloud generates the most efficient way to load the cargo according to routes, and supplies the driver with a day of routes based on the cargo, location, and traffic and weather reports.

Begin Delivery

The driver starts the delivery of the first package by pressing "Start" on the IVI system, and then the navigation system receives the destination address from the cloud.

Share Status

Upon starting the delivery, the cloud alerts the consumer that her package is on the way, sharing the driver's location and estimated delivery time. This can be accomplished via mobile application, web portal, or any other proprietary means.

Delivery Status

Once the driver arrives at the delivery destination, he marks the package status appropriately, and can even signal where he left the package.

Alerts From Cloud

As the driver moves onto the next delivery, the cloud application is able to analyze traffic and weather conditions. When relevant, the vehicle's navigation can be updated with appropriate responses, either diverting routes, or in some cases, rescheduling the delivery altogether.

The Back End

During the entire package delivery process, SDL allows the cloud-based app to monitor the vehicle's mileage, fuel consumption, speeds, as well as other important metrics, giving the dispatch system more insight into the driver’s vehicle. By being able to respond to vehicle data, the company can make better decisions regarding their business.

Customer Logs In

The customer is able to log in via the IVI system or phone. He will then have access to set preferences, such as favorite orders and preferred store locations.

Selecting a Store

After logging in, the customer will have to select a store from which he'll retrieve his order. Because the app responds to vehicle data and not just GPS, SDL can route the customer to the closest store, or one the customer selects.

Placing An Order

If the customer has all the preferences set ahead of time, placing an order can be as easy as a one-press purchase or voice command. Upon ordering, SDL will update the navigation with the store's address, adding the waypoint to the current route.

Store Receives Order

When the store receives the customer's order, it also receives current location and estimated time of arrival, guaranteeing the food is fresh upon pickup. This optimization also allows for the store to know how to prioritize orders, helping increase efficiency.

The Back End

The store's web-based app can monitor all sales as well as track different datasets based on vehicles, such as popular orders, time between orders, regions from which orders are placed, and more. By knowing which locations receive specific items more frequently, companies can target marketing messages directly to those areas to promote sales.

Summary

As illustrated above, SmartDeviceLink has the capability to improve the fleet management experience by considering how riders and drivers interact with the vehicle. SDL's current libraries support features that allow apps to more readily adapt to the needs of its riders and drivers. Being able to retrieve vehicle data in real time presents drivers with more immediate information, allowing instant responses to user requests, weather, or traffic incidents. In addition, it allows for mobile applications to act as a remote control to better suit users' preferences.