Autonet Mobile

About Autonet Mobile

Autonet Mobile, founded in 2005 by Sterling Pratz and Doug Moeller, established itself as a provider of internet-based telematics and application services for the automotive sector. The company's business model focused on forging partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), supplying connected car solutions that could be installed at the factory level. This strategy led to collaborations with prominent automotive brands such as General Motors, Chrysler-FIAT, Maserati, Mercedes, and Subaru.

The core of Autonet Mobile's offering was a patented technology platform that transformed vehicles into Wi-Fi hotspots, initially using 3G and later upgrading to 4G capabilities. This platform supported a range of mobile applications, facilitating data communication between a driver's smartphone and their vehicle. The product portfolio included a Telematics Control Unit (TCU) that embedded directly into the vehicle's CAN bus system, enabling features like real-time vehicle health monitoring, diagnostics, and maintenance alerts. For consumers and fleet managers, the service provided functionalities such as geo-fencing, speed tracking, and theft alerts. Beyond private vehicles, the company's technology found applications in commercial sectors, equipping ambulances and school buses with reliable internet connectivity.

Autonet Mobile's revenue was generated through the sale of its hardware and recurring service fees for data connectivity and application access. The company offered its products both as factory-installed options through its OEM partners and as aftermarket solutions sold via dealerships and online retailers. A significant milestone occurred in August 2015 when Lear Corporation acquired Autonet Mobile's intellectual property and hired key members of its development team to bolster its own electrical distribution and connectivity capabilities. Following this transaction, Autonet Mobile continued to operate and offer products to the automotive aftermarket under a technology license from Lear. The company is now listed as inactive or out of business.