Big Bucks
In-vehicle streaming entertainment is expected to become increasingly popular once fully autonomous vehicles come to market in the coming years. With your SUV doing the driving, you’ll likely want to fill the time with entertainment. And OTA technology means you won’t be limited by what you brought along when you started your trip.
Automakers will be happy to give you what you want, said Bonnefont, as the advent of OTA technology is creating a huge revenue opportunity. Speaking at CES, Stellantis officials estimated the market for in-car software updates, new features, and entertainment services will yield the company $4.5 billion in annual revenues by 2026, a figure it expects to jump to $22 billion by 2030.
Struggling EV startup Byton has forecast that it will make more money on software and subscription services than on selling its vehicles.
Looking to go camping or spend a day exploring some backwoods trails? The navigation system offered for the new Ford Bronco currently contains maps for a number of off-road routes and camping sites.
Looking ahead, Ford plans to not only add new maps but will also let owners crowdsource their own routes. Discover a new trail, and you’ll be able to share it with the broader Bronco community.
Ford also plans to use OTA technology to upload its Blue Cruise hands-free driving software to customers when it becomes available later this year.