As outlined in prior articles in this series, the Internet of Things (IoT), or the connection of a variety of devices to collect and exchange data through the internet, has broad potential to impact the automotive industry. The IoT is changing how users interact with cars, for example by connecting smart devices to cars or incorporating sophisticated user interfaces that can control everything from navigation to streaming music and self-driving and parking features. Moreover, the IoT appears set to fundamentally change how technology is developed for the automotive industry. Instead of relatively few automobile manufacturers dominating all aspects of the industry, new players are emerging, including established software and technology companies as well as new companies. With this emergence, new questions arise as to how companies will integrate technology into cars to maximize user experience. The addition of new companies providing technology to the automotive industry also implicates potential litigation, since traditional industry relationships between companies are now shifting and growing more complicated with an expanded set of players.

Originally published in Bloomberg Law - December 3, 2018.