OnStar-On or Off?

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Introduction

Onstar logo 1.jpg


Group: Bethany, Kathleen, Marcus, Mark

Initial Statement: OnStar, by General Motors has made significant contributions to today’s auto safety and security. The in-vehicle communication system provides its subscribers with many capabilities from simply acquiring to-the-minute traffic reports to calling emergency personnel to assist during an accident. Our group will explore the history of OnStar and the device’s components. We will examine how the security service functions as well as its advantages and disadvantages. Case studies and statistics will be used to help support our findings. The issue that OnStar technology faces, however, is its potential to violate the user’s privacy. Our group will debate that OnStar’s advantages prevail over the minor disadvantages.

History of OnStar

In 1995 Onstar was formed a collaboration between GM, Electronic Data Systems and Hughes Electronics Corporation. The founding companies each brought a specific area of expertise to the enterprise; GM brought vehicle design, integration, and a distribution system of millions of vehicles. EDS brought much of the systems development and information management and customer service technologies. Hughes contributed communications and satellite technology and automotive electronics.

OnStar began as location-based technology developed by a team at ExtremeBlue, an IBM internship program for graduate students in software development and business administration. GM became interested in the idea and introduced the service in 1996 as an option on some Cadillac models.

Onstar used to be purely analog based, and then they moved forward to a hybrid of analog and digital. Slowly Onstar is phasing out the analog though and moving purely to digital. By 2008 Onstar hopes to be running on a digital only system.

In 2006 Onstar announced plans to incorporate a real time driving assist navigation system. This system is called "turn by turn" and will guild your car to your destination using the fastest route and compensating for heavy traffic and accidents. By 2010 this will be standard in all cars equipped with Onstar.

How OnStar works

OnStar has programmed it's buttons to perform specific tasks. For example:

  • Blue Button- contacts the OnStar representatives
  • Red Button- alerts the OnStar center of an emergency
  • White Button- is used for phone calls

OnStar has programmed it’s red button for emergencies so if the driver is involved in an accident, the red button enables the OnStar center to pinpoint the individual’s exact location and therefore immediate help can be ordered and delivered. However, if the driver is unable to move or is unconscious, the deployment of the airbags also signals the OnStar center to send help. The individual’s exact location is pinpointed by a satellite, like a GPS system, and then the information is relayed to the OnStar center. The blue button with its unique feature to access navigational systems, traffic and weather reports, the internet and more use cellular towers located on the OnStar network.

For more information, watch this video: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstuffworks/58-how-onstar-works-video.htm

Advantages of OnStar

  • Voice navigation to tourist hotspots. The audible directions prevent people from having to read a map or stare at a screen while driving. Also, much easier to use than a map.
  • Roadside Assistance. This allows you to contact an Onstar Representative who can assist you. (Ex. Unlock your door if you’ve locked your keys inside.)
  • Monitors tire pressure and alerts you if there is a problem
  • Virtual Assistant. This is a voice activated, hands free device which can give you traffic information, weather conditions and even stock market info.
  • Stolen Vehicle Recovery is a mechanism that allows Onstar to slow down your vehicle gradually in the case that it has been stolen and is in a high speed chase with police.
  • Reminds you to service your vehicle (ex. Oil change, low tire pressure)
  • Can send help in a medical emergency and also keep you calm in the meantime.
  • Emergency services are automatically contacted if the airbag is set off.
  • GPS tracking allows police to locate stolen vehicles

Disadvantages

  • Gives the feeling of someone always watching over you; loss of privacy as someone always knows where you are.
  • Tracks vehicles speed, location and previous driving habits. It will have a record of detours from usual routes. (Ex. Usual route is home to work; Onstar will have a record if you made a stop at the bar on the way home or went to the casino etc). Spouses and parents have access to this info.
  • Reminders to service your vehicle can be annoying if they are frequent
  • Does not support service everywhere, there are dead zones in remote areas
  • Onstar button on rear-view mirror can accidentally be pushed
  • If it is on rental vehicles, it can give a person a scare if it is accidentally activated and someone begins to speak to them
  • You know longer have complete control over your vehicle
  • All Onstar interactions are recorded and could possibly be incriminating
  • Using Onstar to contact emergency services and report an accident actually slows down the call centers response time
  • Onstar service can be very costly

Did You Know?

  • OnStar consists of four different types of technology; cellular, voice recognition, GPS and vehicle telemetry.
  • The cellular aspect of OnStar has 3.0 Watts instead of the normal 0.6, thus getting better reception.
  • OnStar uses voice recognition software when calls to the Advisor are placed.
  • Allows you to "surf the web" while driving.
  • It uses an antenna on the top of your vehicle to transmit signals, This process has been named Vehicle Com and Interface Module (VCIM).
  • OnStar reads back questions asked to it via VoiceXLM.
  • To make a call it is as simple as pressing a button and saying the number out loud.

Statistics

Monthlystats h.gif







These are OnStar's Statistics for September 2005. On average, OnStar handled:


  • 383,000 calls
  • 43,000 remote unlocks
  • 900 air bag deployments
  • 420 stolen vehicle locations
  • 15,000 emergency calls
  • 23,000 roadside assistance calls
  • 9.5 million hands-free calls



These are OnStar's Statistics for 2006. In 2006 there were 5.5 million subcribers.

On a mothly average in 2006 OnStar handled:

  • Remote unlock = 46000
  • Airbag deployment = 1200
  • Stolen vehicle recovery = 500
  • Emergency calls = 10000
  • Good Samaritan calls = 5000
  • Roadside assistance = 27000
  • Remote vehicle diagnostics = 30000
  • Manual Emergency = 15000
  • Automatic Emergency = 1200


On a yearly average in 2006 OnStar handled:

  • Remote unlock = 552000
  • Airbag deployment = 14400
  • Stolen vehicle recovery = 6000
  • Emergency calls = 120000
  • Good Samaritan calls = 60000
  • Roadside assistance = 324000
  • Remote vehicle diagnostics = 360000
  • Manual Emergency = 180000
  • Automatic Emergency = 14400


Advertising

Batman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xen9Ylz5GoY&NR=1

Case Studies

Positive

OnStar connects safety with security and provides a system that is becoming increasingly popular. The technology of telematics is what makes OnStar such a success. Deloitte provides exhibits one through eight to show the growth and success of this system. Such a study proves that OnStar as a safety mechanism is very beneficial to it's users. This does cause us to as the question; Will OnStar one day be in every car, just like airbags or breaks?
http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/StanfordOnStarCaseStudy.pdf


OnStars goal of "making customer feel safe" has been reached through there recent connection with Bell Mobility (a reputable company)and hands free calling. On top of this OnStar test their products for a longer period of time. This service is crucial and OnStar makes sure that their customer feel the same way.
http://www.itworldcanada.com/Pages/Docbase/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=idgml-1bb689e2-46a1-41b7-98f3-8f0bdb9b2d17

Negative

On the other side of the fence are those who believe OnStar to be an evil personal tracking and monitoring system. One main concern is that the evidence recorded by this device may be incriminating in a court of law.However OnStar eases those concerns saying that if information leaked there reputation would be destroyed. This is a legitimate concern for the guilty, but for those who don't have anything to hide, why is your driving record such a crucial item to protect? Even though we recognize this issue, OnStar assures that it is not one, and we agree.
http://www.cio.com/article/17655/With_OnStar_GM_Knows_Where_You_Are_But_Promises_Not_to_Tell

Verdict

In regards to the privacy issue that OnStar faces, our group feels that OnStar is a valuable tool in making the driver's task easier and it can also help save lives. We felt that the positive features that OnStar offers outweigh the minor drawbacks.

Justification of Our Position

Even though there is an issue of privacy protection associated with OnStar, our group feels that the technology provides society with more benifits rather than disadvantages.Since OnStar has the ability to track unusual detours, previous driving habits and virtually every destination, drivers sometimes feels as though they are always being watched. However, OnStar's ability to know the drivers whereabouts should not be viewed as a negative prying eye but rather a protective watchful eye. In case of an accident, it is safe to assume that the individual involved would much rather have help arrive rather than having their location concealed. Also, OnStar's tracking capabilities would again serve well in case the vehicle is stolen. The service is committed to securing the safety of the driver and the vehicle with their immediate alerts and swift response times. In today's world, a majority of the population carry a cellphone or perhaps own a navigational system. These devices pose the same privacy and tracking concerns yet consumers have not stopped using these products. Even without OnStar, you are still being tracked therefore you might as well use OnStar to potentially save your life or your vehicle. OnStar's aim is not invade it's costumer's privacy but it's main purpose is to make the driver's task easier and also save lives.

Bibliography

Bethany:

Kathleen:


Marcus:


Mark:

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