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| One of the biggest problems facing computer-car integration is hardware and software lifespan compared to the average length of automobile ownership. (Photo: Apple) |
It is all about providing seamless and trustworthy connectivity, with privacy protection. There are many scenarios that Microsoft and its partners have thought of where telematics will work, but "we have only scratched the surface," Ballmer added.
One of the challenges is that the lifecycle of electronics is much lower than the 10 year-old life cycles of cars. The technology in off-the-shelf personal computers sold at stores is almost obsolete at the time they were built. Then, the lifespan of a typical home computer is only about five years, dipping down to three years for business PCs, and dropping down to two years for laptop PCs, which tend to break, Ballmer said.
For telematics to work in vehicles either their "churn rate" must be lowered from 10 years or the systems must be made to be "plugable." Yet, "plug and play" car electronics face a number of safety and other usability concerns that may make them unworkable in the car environment.