Fleet Management On The Cheap

Automatic Labs makes a $100 car accessory called Automatic Link that plugs into just about any car’s standard diagnostics (OBD-II) port. The Bluetooth-enabled dongle beams static vehicle data to a smartphone app. It collects information such as mileage and trip data, and helps decode dashboard-based diagnostic codes.

At CES, Automatic was touted as a major update to its hardware. First, it has added support for streaming Bluetooth, giving Automatic Link real-time capabilities that significantly enhance the platform's usability.

With the ability to stream car data straight from the OBD-II to a phone in real time, Automatic said it has widened the doors to offer a wide variety of new services. Automatic now allows users to track - in real time – such things as fuel efficiency based on driving style, where users parked their cars, crash response if Automatic detects a severe collision, and audible alerts if it detects problematic driving patterns.

The company is also talking up the fact that Automatic has evolved into an app platform that allows businesses and car enthusiasts to focus on specific aspects of a car. An Automatic Fleet app keeps tabs on multiple cars at a time. There’s a FreshBooks mileage tracking app and a Nest app that warms the house before people enter it.