Verizon Telematics has launched hum, a vehicle technology service that assists drivers to predict potential issues, prevents breakdowns and offers protection.
The U.S. telecom company is offering hum at $14.99 per month plus taxes, fees and equipment for the first vehicle (including the hardware, valued at $120) under two year subscription plans with the option to add other vehicles for less.
Verizon Telematics announced hum in January at the North American International Auto Show as Verizon Vehicle. The telecom company did not share details about customer response.
By pressing a button, drivers receive diagnostic information, pinpoint roadside assistance and live consultation with ASE-certified mechanics and emergency personnel on-demand.
“This telematics service equips drivers on the road today with the same level of information about their vehicles that fitness wearables deliver about our health. Simply put, hum democratizes the safety and convenience of vehicle connectivity,” said Andres Irlando, CEO at Verizon Telematics, in a statement.
Powered by Verizon Telematics technology, hum is compatible with more than 150 million passenger vehicles.
Subscribers can install hum through an onboard diagnostic (OBD) reader that is plugged into the vehicle’s OBD port, and a Bluetooth-enabled device that is clipped to the visor. The subscription includes a smartphone app allowing subscribers to monitor their vehicle health, contact help, and manage maintenance needs, even when they are not behind the wheel.
Through GPS-based technology, hum helps dispatch advanced roadside assistance, alerts emergency personnel of a car’s location if a crash is detected, and assists authorities in locating a vehicle that has been reported stolen.
