Ever since mankind took form on the Earth, he has been fascinated by the sky and the stars. As a civilization, we have yearned to explore more about the stars than any species before us. This quest for innovation and creation has helped us become the longest surviving dominant species on Earth. Innovations in the field of science and technology have made it easier to live, lengthened our life spans and made things which were impossible in the past, possible. One of the key areas in which research is going on now is space and telecommunications. We are eternally in search of a new home in the galaxy, and science is helping us do that. Furthermore, huge advancements in the field of electronics and communication have made it possible for us to link various devices together. One major change that will occur in the next few years is the globalization and cloud-control of cars. Let us take a look at how Chinese auto-giant, Geely is making this dream a reality by taking to the stars.
Geely to Build Satellites
Geely is the largest private car manufacturer in China, and they are all ready to enter the satellite business. This Chinese conglomerate has been rapidly expanding in the last decade, having moved into trucking, speed trains, drones, and even Volvos. The company is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon, by releasing a statement that they will soon be entering the aerospace field.
This move has been undertaken so as to make it easier to tie together all their assets. Geely will begin work on its own satellite-powered network, in order to formulate a mobility ecosystem that will be smart and intelligent.
On Monday, the automotive giant announced their plans to begin work on a production facility that will create, design and test satellites in Taizhou, Zhejiang. This facility will have state-of-the-art technology, which will help it create different satellites for both Geely and non-Geely devices and machines. The company also mentioned that the satellite network will be launched by the end of the year, but refrained from commenting on how large or extensive it would be. Sources states that the giant is spending almost $326 million on this project, and plans to makeover 500 satellites a year.
Satellite Power
Most of these will be low-orbit satellites that will provide high-speed data transmission capabilities and also help with navigation. Geely believes that this will help usher in a new age for cloud computing, which will make it possible for vehicles to receive over-the-air instructions and updates.
Furthermore, this will help in providing a direct link between the manufacturer and the vehicle, allowing the company to constantly keep track of the device’s performance and maintenance. Also, the company might plan to collaborate with other satellite makers such as SpaceX and OneWeb. Altogether, these satellite constellations will be able to transmit large volumes of data.
While current GPS probes are only accurate up to meters, this new satellite network will make it possible for vehicles to be accurate to within even a centimeter. Such accuracy will prove to be crucial when it comes to autonomous vehicles, as the biggest argument against their use is that of safety and inaccuracy. Unmanned flight, UAVs and smart cars will all turn into realities if this plan works the way it ought to.
The Future
Autonomous vehicles will be a signature of the future. As and when that happens, Geely will have a huge advantage over its competitors if it has its own satellite network to back up its vehicles. Instead of relying on third-party vendors for satellites, the company will be able to make use of its own fleet to run diagnostics, control navigation and also set up communication with its cars.
Furthermore, the demand for on and in-car connectivity has been on the rise in the last couple of years and have their own satellite network will help Geely back up that demand. A similar move has been undertaken by Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX is creating a Starlink network, which can be used to communicate with his Teslas.
Every year over 78 million people buy cars, and as the years go by, more and more people want their cars to be smarter. Connected cars will help buyers get the best of both worlds by being smart, intelligent, intuitive and highly productive. For instance, in 2016, connections for cars was growing at a faster rate than cellular connections for mobile phones.
This is because a high-end supercar has to process more data than a supercomputer! Hence, car manufacturers all around the world have realized that in the future, cellular connections alone will not be enough to process all the data required. Hence, satellites will be the best option for them to transmit large data and process vital information. Therefore, we will be seeing even more car makers, such as Geely, take to the stars in order to turn their dreams into a reality.
Being a cinephile with a love for all things outdoorsy, Athulya never misses a chance to chase inspiring stories or poke fun at things, even when the subject is herself. Currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, she is someone innately interested in technical and scientific research. Music reviews and op-eds define her as they allow her to explore different perspectives. Though sometimes she thinks she makes more sense playing the guitar than she does while writing.