'DriveSync' Device Tracks Vehicle Location, Speed

Waterloo, Ontario-based Intelligent Mechatronic Systems (IMS) and BlackBerry recently took the stage at the Telematics Detroit conference. Their focus: showing people how they plan to bring a new generation of high-tech tools to the 'connected' car.

IMS' major unveiling involved its 'DriveSync' device, which effectively turns any car into a connected car.

'Black Box' Tracks Driver Behavior

How so? IMS' DriveSync involves a driver connecting a small black box to a vehicle's on-board diagnostics systems. From there, the device gathers critical information, including vehicle location, speed, distance traveled, etc.

Once accumulated, this information can help commercial shipping companies keep track of their most valuable shipments. For your average driver, such a tool can help keep tabs on where a vehicle is going and at what speed.

For parents with teenagers getting behind the wheel for the first time, DriveSync could prove extremely useful. Parents can use DriveSync to keep tabs on their kids' driving behaviour and help correct bad habits before they land teenagers in a serious accident. (Source: therecord.com)

BlackBerry Establishing Visible Presence in Automotive Industry

BlackBerry, meanwhile, took an opportunity to show off how it will allow automakers to perform "over the air" software upgrades for their vehicles. According to BlackBerry's Steve West, that will make cars safer for drivers.

"The auto industry spends a significant amount of time, effort and money on maintaining vehicles and we are making that a lot easier for them and for the end user," West said. (Source: therecord.com)

But BlackBerry's real contribution involved its QNX platform, which is slowly but steadily taking over as the operating system of choice for the automotive industry.

At Telematics Detroit BlackBerry announced that the QNX platform would now support Android applications and interfaces. That means a wider range of apps will be available to drivers in the future.

Driver Distraction Remains a Concern

Of course, the lingering question no one wanted to ask involved how these new tools will affect driver safety.

Recently, a AAA report found that hands-free technologies -- like those promoted by BlackBerry -- don't actually prevent driver distraction. (Source: time.com)