Photo courtesy of Samsung.

Today, there are more than 265 million vehicles on U.S. roads with an average age of 11.5 years. More than eighty percent of these vehicles are out of warranty and twenty percent are 17 years old or older. This trend represents the value consumers realize by continuing to invest in repair and maintenance services for their vehicle.

And that’s where Samsung comes in. Attendees at the Connect Auto panel during the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) learned about the benefit and connectivity options of the platform that are designed to keep drivers safe, secure and driving a well maintained vehicle.

Euntaek Lim, Ph.D., director at Samsung Electronics, opened the session with an introduction of the little black device that plugs into the digital interface port under the car’s dashboard. The device was originally unveiled in February at Mobile World Congress. Labelling it “the most advanced connected auto solution on the market today,” Lim gave an overview of the platform’s many benefits, including the ability to support multiple services simultaneously. This provides drivers and partnering service providers with a complete snapshot of a vehicle’s overall health.

“Our goal is to provide a safe, eco-friendly and productive driving experience to customers,” explained Lim who went on to add that “Samsung Connect Auto is more than the connectivity; it’s about the service we provide through the connectivity.”

Following Lim on stage was Rob Infantino, CEO and founder of Openbay, an online marketplace for auto repair and maintenance services. He wasted no time illustrating the ease in which Samsung Connect Auto works seamlessly within the service provider network, explaining a drivers’ desire for immediate notification and action concerning the health and status of their automobiles.

“Consumer expectations for services initiated online are high and one of immediacy,” said Infantino. “Consumers want to know, in real time, what’s going on with their vehicles, what components need attention, and when service is due. Openbay and Samsung, together, are taking the guess work and mystery out of vehicle care and maintenance.”