Rental vehicle company Avis launched a connected fleet of cars this past November in an effort to make the driving experience of its consumers a more enjoyable and convenient one. Tested in Kansas City, Missouri, the car fleet consists of 5000 vehicles which are able to "share live data with the city in order to help devise better computerized traffic-flow models, and ultimately improve the experience of renting through Avis for customers."
Each of the 5000 cars is connected virtually through a central network that is responsible for automating tasks that Avis employees would be responsible for tackling manually in the past. Though this particular fleet is exclusively accessible from the Kansas City airport -- users can connect to Avis' rent-a-car network via their mobile device to book and unlock vehicles for a hassle-free experience -- the company hopes to implement a mass car fleet service globally by the year 2020.
Connected Rent-a-Car Fleets
Avis' Wireless Fleet of Cars Was Tested in Kansas City
Trend Themes
1. Connected Car Fleets - Auto rental companies can offer a more convenient and efficient customer experience by implementing a connected fleet of vehicles that share live data and automate tasks.
2. Centralized Vehicle Automation - By connecting vehicles through a central network, operational tasks can be automated, reducing the need for manual labor and improving overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
3. Smart City Transportation - Connected car fleets can provide real-time traffic data that can be used to help optimize traffic flow in smart cities and improve the overall driving experience for commuters.
Industry Implications
1. Auto Rental - Auto rental companies can leverage connected car fleets to differentiate themselves in a competitive market by offering a more seamless and efficient customer experience.
2. Smart City Infrastructure - Cities can work with rental car companies to leverage connected car fleets for real-time traffic data that can be used to improve traffic flow and enhance commuter experiences in smart cities.
3. Transportation Technology - Connected car fleets require advanced technology and sophisticated data analytics to manage tasks efficiently, providing opportunities for innovation in transportation technology.