eSIM: The Next Game Changer for Mobility and Autonomous Transportation Technologies

The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the world of mobility and transportation, fueling the rise of autonomous vehicles. IoT technology is becoming an increasingly critical component of the automotive industry and vehicles today are expected to achieve greater connectivity, safety, and efficiency for drivers around the world. One of the current trends in this space is the use of eSIM in connected vehicles technologies. More than just a replacement for traditional SIM cards, eSIM is a revolutionary technology for global connectivity, with use cases ranging from vehicle telematics to public transportation systems. In this blog post, we will discuss what an eSIM is, how it works and how this game changing technology is powering the future of mobility and autonomous transportation technologies.

What is eSIM?

eSIMs come in multiple form factors and are similar to a traditional SIM, as eSIMs can be a physical, insertable chip (2FF/3FF/4FF). However, unlike traditional SIMs, eSIMs can also be soldered onto the motherboard of a device (MFF2). Companies like, Teal offer both plastic eSIM cards (like your standard SIM form factor) and embedded eSIMs that are compatible with any IoT device. This means that users can connect their devices onto any carrier network without having to physically swap out their SIM cards; all they need is access to an available network and the activation process simple. This makes connecting devices directly onto the right networks easier than ever before. Security is paramount, which is why choosing a solution that is GSMA certified is critical when selecting an eSIM vendor. The GSMA recently published an eSIM Buyer’s Guide for Enterprise that is a valuable resource for any business that is evaluating eSIM technology. Find out what factors your business needs to consider when selecting an eSIM solution with this free guide.

How is eSIM Impacting Mobility Solutions?

Advancements in intelligent transportation systems are revolutionizing the automotive industry by enabling collision avoidance, parking assistance, and rapid emergency response times. Additionally, eSIM technology allows for improved network connectivity and faster transition speeds. With eSIM, automotive manufacturers and fleet management companies can now monitor, control, and optimize cellular network costs, remotely manage their entire fleet, and enable automated diagnostics and upgrades. This makes the entire transportation system smarter, efficient and (most importantly) more reliable.

Autonomous vehicles are the future of mobility, and cellular IoT solutions are crucial for enabling their connectivity and data exchange capabilities. However, traditional SIM cards pose several challenges, including limited capacity, high latency, and lack of security. eSIM technology offers a seamless and secure way to provision and manage SIM profiles for autonomous vehicles, enabling these vehicles to stay connected to multiple networks and switch between them based on network availability and quality. This not only enhances safety and reliability but also enables new business models, such as data monetization, fleet management, and predictive maintenance.

Case Study: How is eSIM Enabling Autonomous Robot Deliveries Worldwide?

 

Robots, such as delivery robots from Starship Technologies, operate autonomously, without constant human monitoring. Starship faced similar challenges to many enterprises operating in the autonomous vehicle sector including:

• Determining which mobile networks would perform best at a given site.
• No way to program devices onto multiple networks with a single SIM solution. Instead, they utilized several SIM vendors across different geographies.
• Complexities associated with negotiating agreements with multiple Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
• High latency and low throughput on business grade SIMs that access retail networks.
• Starship paid a premium for their previous solution.

The Results from Making the Switch to eSIM

• Reduced number of network partners from 5 to 1
• Reduced packet latency from 100ms to under 50ms
• Fewer points of failure leads to more successful deliveries and happier customers
• Optionality to program native networks or roaming networks depending on location
• Eliminated site surveys and managing multiple SKUs
• Teal eSIMS deployed on over 1,000 robots. Doubling in the next year.
• Futureproofing against technology sunsets. Ability to support new technologies as they evolve.

The possibilities for cellular enabled robotics use cases are endless, and we are just scratching the surface of what is to come. Thanks to the recent developments in 5G, eSIM technology, and loT technology, robots can now be connected at any time and in any place. Learn how Teal is helping to connect robots worldwide.

Making Autonomous Transportation Safer

The rise of autonomous driving comes with new safety standards. eSIM contributes to the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles via faster and more reliable connectivity. eSIM networks can support a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications, which is vital for autonomous vehicles. In case of an accident or emergency, eSIM-enabled IoT devices can communicate with emergency services quickly and accurately, which saves lives.

Powering the Future of Mobility and Autonomous Transportation Technologies

eSIM technology is expected to make a significant impact on the automotive market. eSIM is particularly useful in the case of telematics in connected cars, enabling reliable, connected experiences. eSIM connectivity is helping to enable more advanced services and features, including over-the-air software updates for vehicles, remote diagnostics, and real-time driver and vehicle data to be collected on the go. GSMA compliant eSIM solutions also ensure a more secure and seamless supply chain and safety for IoT applications. As more vehicles become connected cars, the adoption of eSIMs will only continue to grow.

eSIM technology is no longer just a buzzword in the tech world, but a powerful innovation that is contributing to the growth of IoT applications in autonomous transportation. With easy connectivity, better security, and compatibility with emerging technologies like 5G, eSIM is transforming the automotive industry for the better. Many organizations struggle to manage multiple connectivity vendors, which is why more and more leading companies are making the switch to eSIM technology. Having the ability to seamlessly connect onto any network worldwide and to have the freedom to dynamically switch between networks on-demand helps to streamline any IoT deployment globally.

With more network operator agreements than any other connectivity provider, Teal’s GSMA certified eSIM platform gives businesses everywhere the flexibility and control to remotely switch between networks, ensuring the highest level of reliability and performance for any internet of things (IoT) deployment.

Find out if eSIM is right for your business. Contact a Teal expert today!