Five Key Factors Influencing Automotive Bluetooth Penetration 

Bluetooth penetration today is seen not only in mobile phones but it has been increasingly used as accessories and in other devices. Experts predict that Bluetooth chips, which transmit over a range of about 30 feet, will replace the use of cable to connect devices that are close to each other.

Technology experts are exploring new ways to connect inanimate objects around us such as washing machine, coffee, vendors, television and the like with the help of Bluetooth technology.

Another area where Bluetooth is increasingly being used is in vehicles. Technology and consulting firm Strategy Analytics predicts that Bluetooth technology will feature in one-third of new vehicles in 2012, an increase from just 3 percent in 2005.

The report, "Automotive Communications Market: Bluetooth in 30 percent of New Vehicles by 2012," predicts five key influencing factors Bluetooth into 30 Percent of New Vehicles by 2012 that had led to the surge in Bluetooth applications.

The firm says it is crucial for the automotive makers not to ignore this technology when they build a vehicle in future.

The firm outlines five key factors that have led to an increase in integration of Bluetooth technology in over the last 12 months:

• Growing consumer awareness of Bluetooth
• A rapid adoption of Bluetooth on cellular phones
• Strong automotive consumer demand for hands-free solutions
• Increasing availability of BT solutions in the OE and aftermarket
• Legislative measures

The research firm pointed out that automotive pricing, promotion, and product positioning of Bluetooth versus other in-vehicle features will be the deciding factors on how take rates develop over the next two years.

"As we have already seen with portable navigation, poor competitiveness from car makers and automotive system suppliers will result in aftermarket vendors taking a greater share of the growing consumer demand for Bluetooth," said Clare Hughes, Strategy Analytics Automotive Practice analyst.

Once Bluetooth chips, which have lower power requirements, are manufactured in large numbers, it is expected that it would eventually cost much lesser and become affordable and can be installed in all kinds of devices.