# Connected Accessory Consumers seek startup products that enable smart car technology. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Mar 22, 2016 | Category: [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/auto-and-motor-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/connected-accessory ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.2/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Connected Accessory trend? **Connected Accessory:** As brands begin launching market-ready smart vehicles, many consumers are opting for after-market tech accessories that enable the same smart technology available in top of the line models. Such innovative vehicle add-ons are a cost-efficient way for consumers to both improve on the capabilities of the vehicle they already own and as a means of testing out the functionality of the features. In addition to highlighting the influence of the Internet of Things, this shift indicates that what is considered "fundamental" in terms of technology is continually evolving. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 7, 2014 to Mar 17, 2016 - Published: Mar 22, 2016 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Connected Accessory trend ### Aftermarket Smart Tech Accessories Consumers are opting for after-market tech accessories that enable the same smart technology available in top of the line models, which represents an opportunity to innovate smart tech add-ons for cars that can be market-ready or upgraded. ### The Internet of Things in Automotive The IoTA is influencing how consumers relate to their vehicles, and this represents an opportunity to create new products and services in the intersection of technology and automotives. ### AI & Machine Learning for Energy-Efficient Cars The use of AI and machine learning is a disruptive innovation that can optimize energy-management systems that are key components of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. ## What the Connected Accessory trend means for industry ### For Smart Tech Accessories Startups can create smart tech add-ons for cars that can be market-ready or upgraded, which represents an opportunity for the technology and automotive industries. ### For Energy Management Systems The automotive and technology industries can disrupt the market by developing energy-management systems that use machine learning and optimized software. ### For Vehicle Speech Recognition Capio's speech recognition system has a range of applications in call centers, robotics, home automation, as well as the automotive industry, which represents an opportunity for tech startups to integrate this type of technology into their products and services. ## Workshop question Is there a technology function missing from your product that might simplify the consumer's life? ## Trend signals for Connected Accessory Trend score 3.2 out of 10, from popularity 48%, activity 39%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 48% - Activity: 39% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Connected Accessory trend 6 featured examples from Aug 7, 2014 to Mar 17, 2016. - [Affordable Heads-Up Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hudway-glass): The Hudway Glass Offers a Flexible Heads-Up Display For a Low Price (Category: Autos) Implication: Affordable heads-up displays provide an opportunity for automotive companies to incorporate this technology into their vehicles and enhance the driving experience. - [High-Tech Windshield Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/navdy): The Navdy Heads-Up Display Lets You Keep Your Eyes On the Road (Category: Autos) Implication: Automakers can explore partnerships with Navdy or create their own head-up displays to improve driver safety. - [Wearable-Connected Auto Software](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-mobility): High Mobility is an Auto Startup Enabling Entirely Connected Cars (Category: Autos) Implication: High Mobility's wearable-connected auto software is disrupting the traditional concept of automobiles as purely physical machines. - [Automotive Cloud Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/car-updates): Arynga is a Start-Up That Provides Over-the-Air Software Updates (Category: Autos) Implication: Arynga's over-the-air software updates are poised to disrupt the automotive industry by improving software management and reducing recall rates. - [Cognitive Learning Automotives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capio): Capio Enhances Vehicles with Intuitive Speech Recognition (Category: Autos) Implication: Capio's technology can disrupt the way humans interact with cars, ushering an era of intuitive and personalized driving experiences. - [Cost-Cutting Vehicle Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/energy-efficient-cars): This Hybrid EMS Creates Energy-Efficient Cars That Learn (Category: Autos) Implication: The automotive industry has opportunities to develop energy-efficient vehicles with hybrid energy management systems and machine learning software ## Recent trend clusters - [Racing Homage](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/racing-homage) (Autos) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Autos - [French Retro City Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/french-retro-city-cars) - [Factory-Backed Performance Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heritage-performance-centers) - [Flexible Luxury Motorhomes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flexible-luxury-motorhomes) - [Electric Luxury Grand Tourers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-price-ev-sedans) All articles: [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos)