Date: 02/12/2010

IMS Research estimates over 25 million cars will be Bluetooth-enabled in 2017

Quoting the reason of number countries and states banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, IMS research says the use of Bluetooth in handsfree devices to soar. Bluetooth and handsfree calling go hand in hand; IMS Research estimated that over 7 million cars were Bluetooth-enabled in 2009. Furthermore forecasts are positive, IMS Research believes that over 25 million cars will be Bluetooth-enabled in 2017. Consumers, pushed by legislation, cell-phone makers and network carriers, are well aware of the handsfree use-case, they have adopted it, and like it.

IMS points out audio streaming as the second use-case for Bluetooth in vehicles where Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) is used to stream audio wirelessly from host to speakers and other devices. IMS says the market for A2DP-enabled Bluetooth in cars is still relatively small compared with that for handsfree calling, the reason given is that most consumers are still fairly unfamiliar with the concept of wirelessly streaming music via Bluetooth. Furthermore the A2DP profile was initially criticised for not delivering good enough audio quality and was thus not pushed by certain high-profile device makers. However the Bluetooth SIG community has made a determined effort to improve audio quality and meet consumer expectations. According to IMS Research's latest forecasts from its annual Bluetooth report, the number of A2DP-enabled devices, such as PMPs, will increase as a result of this improved audio quality. This, coupled with the fact that car manufacturers are phasing out CD players, will inevitably improve the prospects for A2DP-enabled automotive devices. With more A2DP-enabled devices around, consumers will see the value of streaming with Bluetooth making its use more commonplace. IMS Research therefore predicts that the situation will change and in 2017 most cars with Bluetooth handsfree will also be A2DP-enabled.

IMS finds developing a market for automotive devices that use Bluetooth low energy may prove a harder task. Bluetooth can find use in number of other in-car applications, such as remote keyless entry, remote control of infotainment devices, tire pressure monitor communication and possibly as the communication platform for some non-safety critical sensors. The issues with Bluetooth in automotive applications are reliability, and the environment of the vehicle is often unsuitable for wireless communication, due to the increase use of electromagnetic shielding in vehicles.

IMS suggests be prepared for a wait before we see widespread use of Bluetooth low energy in cars. According to IMS the underlining message to the Bluetooth industry is, "don't hide your light under a bushel". By this we mean continue to innovate and think up new applications in the car, and shout about them! Only then will we see Bluetooth branch out into new and exciting applications in the vehicle.