VANCOUVER – Telus and Vancouver-based Mojio announced a partnership Tuesday that will bring connected-car technology to Canadians later this year.
Connected cars are touted as the next big thing for consumers when it comes to Internet of Things (IoT) technology. While this technology will one day be the norm in new vehicles, Telus and Mojio will allow Canadians to turn their existing cars into smart connected cars now.
As a cloud-connected device for the car and an app for the smartphone, Mojio includes a small cellular device that plugs into a car’s onboard diagnostics port and connects to the Internet via the Telus network. It enables drivers to locate, monitor and diagnose their car from their smartphone, plus includes other features such as automated trip tracking and traffic-based route suggestions.
Mojio will continue to add connected-car apps, allowing drivers to customize their relationship with their car, just like they have with their smartphones. Third-party apps currently in development include parking payments, automated trip expensing, simplified car rental and home automation.
Available for pre-order now, Mojio will be available for purchase later this year for $169 which includes the first year of service. The cost is $6.99 per month after that.
“Telus is committed to offering innovative new products and we are excited to be the first Canadian carrier to extend our reach beyond the smartphone into automobiles,” said Jim Senko, Telus’ SVP of small business and emerging markets, in the news release. “With Mojio and Telus, Canadians can add their car to the growing list of connected devices that are working together to make their lives easier.”
“Connected cars represent one of the most fundamental shifts in automotive technology in decades, and through this partnership, Canadians will have access to our leading technology years before it’s the norm in new cars,” added Mojio CEO Jay Giraud. “Mojio’s innovative technology paired the reach of Telus’ coast-to-coast mobile network will enable drivers across Canada will be able turn nearly any old car into a smart car.”
