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HTC and VW Demonstrate Customer-Link Solution to Enhance Driving Safety and Efficiency

2016/01/08 | By Quincy Liang

HTC Corp. of Taiwan, generally recognized as a global vendor of its eponymous line of smartphones, and German automaker Volkswagen (VW) recently announced their partnership to upgrade driving safety and fuel efficiency with the demonstration of the Volkswagen Customer-Link solution.

By teaming up with the German automaker, HTC developed the Customer-Link, a brand-new automotive solution combining the "Customer-Link Bridge" vehicle performance measurement system designed by HTC, and the "Customer-Link" smartphone app that provides ambient information and instant vehicle data to improve safety and efficiency while driving. Leveraging the cloud for location based services (LBS) and information pooling, the Volkswagen Customer-Link achieves the Internet of Vehicles.

The Customer-Link Bridge, an OBD II connector and transmitter, reads car performance and driving data in real-time, including distance traveled, engine RPM, engine oil, engine coolant etc.
The Customer-Link Bridge, an OBD II connector and transmitter, reads car performance and driving data in real-time, including distance traveled, engine RPM, engine oil, engine coolant etc.

Bernd Hoffmann, managing director of Volkswagen Taiwan, said, “Volkswagen is named the people's car and aims to be the most loved and innovative automotive brand in the market. It is our priority to provide the best-in-class experience for Taiwanese consumers; together with HTC, Customer-Link will enable owners to be easily connected to their cars and enjoy Volkswagen customer services.”

Jack Tong, North Asia president of HTC, said, “As a leading innovator, HTC takes the user experience very seriously, so we are continually exploring potential technologies to achieve the smart, connected life. Our extensive experience of integrating cutting edge technologies into our award-winning HTC smartphones and HTC Vive has led to our providing car owners with the means to enter the new era of the Internet of Vehicles, to enable them to strengthen and integrate car data using their smartphones to significantly enhance the driving experience.”

Volkswagen Customer-Link

The Customer-Link system combines the Customer-Link Bridge designed by HTC and its exclusive app with the cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) services of Volkswagen.

With MirrorLink, Customer-Link mirrors the app to the touch screen of an entertainment system in a car, to enable a car owner to control the app with the touch screen to achieve safer usage while driving.
With MirrorLink, Customer-Link mirrors the app to the touch screen of an entertainment system in a car, to enable a car owner to control the app with the touch screen to achieve safer usage while driving.

The Customer-Link Bridge reads car performance and driving data in real time, including distance traveled, engine RPM, engine oil and engine coolant temperatures, distance to zero fuel and more (through a connector to a vehicle's onboard diagnostic 2, or OBD II plug). It also sounds an alarm upon detection of any operational problems while driving, and shows the nearest service center to access prompt assistance. Customer-Link supports both Android and iOS.

With MirrorLink, Customer-Link mirrors the app to the touch screen of an entertainment system in the car, which enables a car owner to control the app with the touch screen, providing safer usage while driving. Customer-Link also provides useful information, such as current freeway traffic, electronic toll collection (ETC), gas station locations and real-time parking info, making it the most convenient information hub.

Customer-Link is applicable on all models of Volkswagens sold in Taiwan. The Customer-Link Bridge will be pre-installed in all new cars sold starting in May, 2016, Volkswagen Taiwan said.