An Epiphany From CES: The Backbone Of The Connected Car Shall Be A Strategic Decision

An Epiphany From CES: The Backbone Of The Connected Car Shall Be A Strategic Decision

The underlying structure of the connected vehicle might be as important a decision as the ... [+] applications that are built upon it. Typically, the media darlings of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) each January are the flashy, customer-facing features that provide the tech-thirsty public with momentary glimpses of the futuristic marketplace. And those brave enough to wander Las Vegas this January despite the Omicron variant might be lured into similar ogling due to ongoing announcements surrounding autonomous, electric and connected vehicles. This year more than ever, however, the truly informed automotive architects might walk away from Vegas with more than sore feet and a mountain of overdue emails. Maybe recognition of this transformational year will cause them to have a similar epiphany as I have experienced: the great, sought-after differentiation might not be the colorful interfaces and impressive stylings, but rather the selection of semi-hidden backbone(s) orchestrated as intelligent ecosystems upon which manufacturers shall create widgets for decades to come. Not a new, half-baked App Store for every sub-brand. Not an executive's hairbrained idea for the moment that will be abandoned after [s]he moves to the next position in less than two years. Not an isolated module that's seemingly