Future Cars to Emerge as Smartphones on Wheels, Predicts Seat Chief

Cars are set to become an extension of our mobile phones, ensuring a constant and safe connection, according to Seat’s chief digital officer, Fabian Simmer, who spoke ahead of the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Two key challenges for the future are promoting sustainable mobility and meeting driver needs, Simmer noted. Car sharing and shared fleets will become popular models in this collaborative economy of mobility.

Simmer envisions complete connectivity, pointing out that we’re always connected to our phones and new tech will ensure this connection isn’t lost while driving. In the future, cars themselves will be connected, enhancing customer experience with new features. Drivers will be able to access emails and social media safely while on the road.

“There will be more specific apps designed for safe use in cars,” Simmer explained. “For instance, you can already make calls without holding your phone by just swiping a finger across a screen.”

On sustainable mobility, Simmer encouraged imagining a world where you never arrived late to work because your car would guide you efficiently. Predictive assistants in cars will help users choose the best routes based on traffic or weather conditions, leading to more sustainable travel.

He mentioned that about 25% of traffic in European city centers comes from drivers searching for parking. Future trends will include apps identifying free parking spaces, reducing the time and fuel spent on this task.

Regarding the collaborative economy, Simmer highlighted the importance of sharing goods. Car sharing using digital keys through smartphones will become more common, with related apps having a growing impact.

Seat, headquartered in Martorell, Barcelona, exports over 80% of its vehicles. The company employs more than 14,000 people across its production centers in Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat, and Martorell. They also manufacture models like the Ateca and Toledo in the Czech Republic, the Alhambra in Portugal, and the Mii in Slovakia.