In a major step towards empowering motorists with information on their driving behaviour and vehicle performance, the Automobile Association (AA) has launched AA Connected Car. The product is a combination of hardware and software and is available to motorists across South Africa.

The launch of AA Connected Car is in line with the AA’s 2030 Strategy and Vision to provide a connected ecosystem and digital aggregation which is intended to provide convenience and value to the public.

“This is a truly fantastic product which will not only give individual drivers but also Fleet Managers access to a wide range of data which is easily accessible online via desktop or mobile devices, and which will enable them to save money and improve their or their drivers’ safety on the road. The feature which provides access to a Digital Logbook, for instance, is especially convenient for business owners and Fleet Managers who want to use the data for tax purposes,” says Mr Willem Groenewald, CEO of the AA.

AA Connected Car works through easily installed hardware on a vehicle and software available on Huawei, Apple or Android devices. The data collected is owned by the driver or Fleet Manager, to which no third party has access.

The fact that the data collected is owned by the owner of the vehicle and not shared with any third party (unless the owner wishes to do so) is an important feature of the new product. In a survey conducted by the AA in late 2018, 84 percent of owners said the data collected should be theirs and not shared with anyone else, as is the case with some similar options available on the market.

In a recent position paper on car connectivity, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) noted that “Connectivity should lead to a decrease of breakdowns, anticipatory maintenance for better reliability, reduce costs and increase convenience for users”.

“We want owners to have information which they can analyse to drive safer and more economically. The data provided by AA Connected Car does that. It includes information on elements such as harsh braking, cornering and acceleration, speeding, and low battery notifications. The data can also be used to effectively manage costs and is easily downloaded online or on mobile. AA Connected Car can also track vehicles, an attractive feature for fleet owners,” says Mr Groenewald.

Mr Groenewald says an added benefit of AA Connected Car is that it gives parents of young and new drivers some comfort knowing they are able to determine the movements of their vehicles and to detect certain problems with their children’s vehicles, should they occur.

“Being able to monitor a vehicle’s performance, and to track its movements, provides some protection for families as they can react quickly if there appears to be an issue. It’s an attractive feature of the system, and certainly one we believe makes it a useful tool for parents and guardians who will know if the vehicle arrives at a specific location, if it moves when it shouldn’t, or if there are issues on it which need attention,” notes Mr Groenewald.

AA Connected Car is being launched in partnership with MiX Telematics Africa who is providing the technology which supports the service.

“We are proud to be associated with a company such as MiX Telematics. It’s a company which international coverage and experience and they have been exceptional in assisting us bring AA Connected Car to the market,” says Mr Groenewald.

“As a worldwide leader in the provision of telematics solutions, MiX Telematics is honoured to have been selected by the Automobile Association to provide the hardware and software for their AA Connected Car solution,” says Mr Gert Pretorius, Managing Director of MiX Telematics Africa.

“We believe it is collaborations such as this that bring innovative safety solutions to the market, aiming to make a positive difference to vehicle owners’ lives by enhancing their access to real-time data. 

According to Mr Groenewald, AA Connected Car is a game changer for South African motorists.

“The information provided through this service – which is readily and easily available to every owner, will make the driving experience safer and better. If owners use the data to adjust their driving behaviour and monitor their vehicle’s performance, they will find their vehicles are lasting longer, their efficiency is improving, and they are driving safer overall. We believe this product fits perfectly with our mission to make roads in South Africa safer,” he says.