Anyone using the Automatic

4920 Views 14 Replies 6 Participants Last post by deverelle, Sep 13, 2015

deverelle

Discussion Starter · Sep 6, 2015

My Automatic arrived yesterday. https://www.automatic.com/

It plugs into the diagnostic port and collects a bunch of stats about your car that it sends to an iPhone or Android app. I'm excited to try it out.

You can save $20 if you use the link automatic.com/cult.

My plan is to integrate it to some home automation with IFTTT, track mileage for work, and use it to locate my car at big sporting events.

Packaging is very cool. The container it ships in doubles as a travel cup. Everything else can be recycled.

I'll report back after I have it running for a few days.

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rnlabas

· #2 · Sep 6, 2015

Have you found where it automagically also sends your data to? Isn't it [email protected] ?

deverelle

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 7, 2015

rnlabas said:
Have you found where it automagically also sends your data to? Isn't it [email protected] ?

The privacy policy is reasonably solid. Then again, I'm in the software business so I'm well-aware the only way to remain private is to never connect anything to the internet. Given that I already have my phone with me, and onboard wifi, my every move is already being tracked, so I'm opting for the convenience of automatic garage door opening, and lights turning on at night.

deverelle

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 7, 2015

Day 1 Report: Automatic is installed and updated its firmware. This took about 5 minutes. Here's what it's currently set up to do:

- Open Waze when I start the car.
- Log trips into a Google spreadsheet. (This is handy for expensing my mileage.)
- Adjust Nest thermostat when I get close to the house.
- Send me a reminder if the check engine light goes on.
- Send my husband a text if I'm in a crash.
- Push me a map of where I parked. (Handy at the airport or concerts.)

Some of these I'll likely turn off after I see how they work.

I should start having driving stats in the next few days.

These were all configured in under 15 minutes using the Automatic app for iPhone, IFTTT (If this, then that), and PushBullet.

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rokutman

· #5 · Sep 8, 2015

deverelle said:
The privacy policy is reasonably solid. Then again, I'm in the software business so I'm well-aware the only way to remain private is to never connect anything to the internet. Given that I already have my phone with me, and onboard wifi, my every move is already being tracked, so I'm opting for the convenience of automatic garage door opening, and lights turning on at night.

While I agree with the idea that with the current technology a lot about us is out in the cloud I am reluctant to put my driving behavior out there. This device is very similar to what some car insurers are trying to get their consumers to use so they can monitor your driving behavior, While the convenience apps are nice I don't want the cloud knowing that I may drive 50 in a 40 zone or that I have flashed my ECU.

RKM

· #6 · Sep 8, 2015

Nice device. I am anxious to know how it works out after you tried it for a few days. Do you need the AT&T internet card for communication? Mine expired.

rnlabas

· #7 · Sep 8, 2015

RKM said:
Nice device. I am anxious to know how it works out after you tried it for a few days. Do you need the AT&T internet card for communication? Mine expired.

It BTs to your phone and then to its cloud (and any/everybody else) from your phone ...

deverelle

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 8, 2015

rnlabas said:
It BTs to your phone and then to its cloud (and any/everybody else) from your phone ...

Correct.

deverelle

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 8, 2015

My first trip report included time, mileage, cost of fuel, and a score. I was dinged slightly for hard stops when people cut me off. (Texas drivers!)
Blanca got 19.2 MPG on the 18.2-mile trip. On the speed, they only seem to flag you if you go over 70. Since this is day one, I expect it to get a little smarter as it learns my behavior... for example, I'm in start/stop traffic twice a day.

I enjoy having this data for myself, but I would not opt-in to the insurance program. I presume all insurers will start demanding this at some point as a condition of insurance, but I'm certainly not volunteering for it.

AudiFox

· #10 · Sep 9, 2015

Good luck to the insurance company if they want the data. Not everyone has a Automatic compatible car and a lot of people are still driving the really old school models.

rokutman

· #11 · Sep 9, 2015

AudiFox said:
Good luck to the insurance company if they want the data. Not everyone has a Automatic compatible car and a lot of people are still driving the really old school models.

Since the insurance companies appear to offer discounts for participating and having their dongle in your OBD clearly anyone without the compatible OBD would not be eligible. I'm not falling for it but, hey, if it's in the Cloud then it's available to hackers. That's all I'm saying.

rnlabas

· #12 · Sep 11, 2015

AudiFox said:
Good luck to the insurance company if they want the data. Not everyone has a Automatic compatible car and a lot of people are still driving the really old school models.

BUT as the old cars disappear, new ones WILL have these ports AND their goal is to MANDATE monitoring of your car data. Soon (within a year or 2 I suspect) we will have NO OPTION but to comply or NOT have insurance - how do like that liberty being taken away while you sleep? But wait there's more ... just keep sleeping.

deverelle

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 11, 2015

I found the first thing to complain about. The speed alert is a fixed 70mph, and you are dinged for exceeding 70 by the minute. Texas is filled with toll roads with 80mph speed limits and drivers going considerably faster than that. One ten-minute trip on the toll road and my driving score dropped from 98 to 45. There seems no way to adjust the speed warning, so it beeps softly as I use the toll road. Ugh.

john

· #14 · Sep 11, 2015

That is UGH! It should be intelligent enough to know the speed limits per road. The Nav system displays the speed limit so the device should link to that, or so I would hope!

deverelle

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 13, 2015

john said:
That is UGH! It should be intelligent enough to know the speed limits per road. The Nav system displays the speed limit so the device should link to that, or so I would hope!

Agree. Checking their forum, lots of people griping about that. They claim the 70mph limit is because Automatic's true job is to help you get better gas mileage. Noble, but driving 70 in an 80 would not be a good idea in Texas. :-/

I'm on the fence as to if I'll keep it or send it back. It has some automation integration with smart home devices that make it kind of compelling. If I keep it, I'll have to get used to having a low driving "score."

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