Michael We are known for not driving luxury cars but rather aging vehicles of the lower working class (now even *with* airbags!). However, when my colleagues show off their new Teslas, which they can remotely control out of a parking space via a smartphone app, I can't just stand by idly. The company "Automatic" manufactures an adapter that you plug into the diagnostic port under the dashboard, which connects to the owner's smartphone to send all sorts of interesting data about the vehicle's current location, speed, and whether the driver is accelerating like a maniac or slamming on the brakes.
The Pro version of the adapter costs about 120 dollars and provides mobile network data traffic for five years. The previous version, which I, as an early adopter par excellence, of course, already owned, did not yet have a wireless or GPS module and connected to a carried mobile phone when the engine was started, which did the heavy lifting. However, this only worked in 20% of cases due to sloppy programming and would have been completely useless if the car had been stolen, as the car thief would hardly have set their phone to the plug.
Because the app continuously collects data, I know exactly where Angelika is currently driving with the car, where I parked, or how much fuel the car is consuming. Since the app also creates statistics about other drivers who also use the plug, I can see if I brake harder or accelerate faster than others, or how long it takes me to drive on the 280 freeway from San Jose to San Francisco at midnight. Hint: Not long.
Since we drive two cars with plugs, I can see exactly which one consumes more fuel. Since each of us usually drives "our" car, a direct driver comparison is even possible. In the event of an accident, a message is supposed to pop up on the phone, but fortunately, that hasn't happened yet. However, if the engine acts up and a warning light comes on, the plug reads the error code, and the app provides tips on what needs to be fixed.