The term telematics is used in a number of ways:

• The integrated use of telecommunications and informatics, also known as ICT (Information and Communications Technology). More specifically it is the science of sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices.

• More narrowly and commonly, telematics is applied more specifically to the use of Global Positioning System technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology.

• Most narrowly, the term is used to refer to the use of such systems within road vehicles, in which case the term vehicle telematics may be used.

Vehicle telematics

Vehicle telematics systems may be used for a number of purposes, including collecting road tolls, managing road usage (the United States Department of Transportation intelligent transportation system), tracking fleet vehicle locations, recovering stolen vehicles, providing automatic collision notification, and providing location-driven driver information services. Vehicle telematics systems are also increasingly being used to provide remote diagnostics; a vehicle's in-built systems will identify a mechanical or electronic problem, and the telematics package will automatically make this information known to the vehicle manufacturer and service organisation. Other forthcoming applications include on-demand navigation, audio and audio-visual entertainment content.

See also

• Mass surveillance
• Privacy International
• Intelligent transportation systems
• Floating Car Data

External links

• Privacy issues related to telematics
• "Automotive Telematics" book
• SBD - UK consultancy firm
• Telematics Update (vehicle telematics site)
• General Motors OnStar system [1]
• Danish Centre for Health Telematics
• ABOUT Automotive Research Reports
• Dashwerks, Inc. - US based telematics consulting firm
• Articles, service providers and news about telematics
• Links to news articles on telematics and related topics
• Greek Telematics Company