Smart new device to be launched by the AA that can predict vehicle breakdowns

‘Car Genie’ will also help users to save money on fuel and improve their driving skills

 
British motoring association the AA is set to launch a new smart device in May this year, which will be able to predict vehicle breakdowns before they occur.
‘Car Genie’ will also help users to save money on fuel and improve upon their driving skills.
The smart new device has been designed so that motorists can install it themselves by plugging it into their vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBDII) port.
The device is then able to read the vehicle’s European On-Board Diagnostics (EOBD) system in real-time and sends the information to the Car Genie app.

 
The app will be free to download and available for both iOS and Android.
The AA have been trialling the new device since April 2016 and claim that Car Genie will be able to predict around one third of breakdowns.
The smart new device is capable of detecting standard OBDII faults, including ignition coil problems, failing exhaust gas recirculation and degrading health of a battery. It then informs the user, who can act on the information given to them and in serious cases, the AA will contact the customer.
According to the AA, with specific fault codes picked up by the device, the AA are able to contact members before a breakdown occurs and advise them on what to do.
During the trial, the AA could see that if specific fault codes on some vehicles weren’t dealt with, then a breakdown could happen within the next few months.
If a member is alerted to a fault via the Car Genie device, the information is also sent to the AA’s diagnostic dashboard, where it will be monitored by their technical helpdesk team.
The team will contact a member in the event of an issue, providing the relevant technical information to deal with the problem.
Members using the device will have to agree to data-sharing, which Gareth Adams, the AA’s connected car manager thinks: “Our members will see the benefits of [it.]”
Data-sharing plays an important role in the event of a customer suffering a vehicle breakdown or accident, as the AA will need to know their exact location.
The Car Genie app can also help users improve their skills behind the wheel, as it’s capable of providing feedback on driving styles, such as speed, breaking, cornering and acceleration.
According to the AA, their Car Genie device and app will prevent motorists from being fleeced by garages, as any issues that are picked up are explained to the user in a simple and easy to understand way.
The AA claim that out of 10,000 people who took part in the trial, 33% said the device helped them to save money on fuel, with 49% saying they now have a clearer understanding of car problems.
The AA’s Car Genie is set to launch exclusively to members on May 1st, at a cost of £29 a year. Motorists can pre-register online by visiting the AA’s website.
 
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