# 203. From Diagnostics to Connected Cars: The OBD Evolution

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2024-12-03
- Length: 20m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution-7VsMLXg9

## Summary

The hosts discuss the evolution of Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) from its origins in the 1960s with Volkswagen and General Motors to modern connected car applications. They highlight how OBD data is now used by insurance companies like Progressive for usage-based pricing and by fleet managers for vehicle health monitoring. The conversation concludes with the introduction of the SAE J1979-3 standard for electric vehicles, which aims to standardize diagnostics for EVs and plug-in hybrids starting in 2026.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution#t=0) Introduction to OBD and its history
- [3:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution#t=184) Volkswagen's early role and the Check Engine Light
- [6:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution#t=386) Volkswagen Dieselgate and regulatory manipulation
- [8:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution#t=538) Connected cars: Insurance and fleet management
- [12:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution#t=739) SAE J1979-3 standard for EVs and Hybrids
- [15:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution#t=912) Leveling the playing field for aftermarket diagnostics
- [16:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution#t=1017) Privacy, real-time emissions, and user consent

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Volkswagen (company)
- General Motors (company)
- Progressive (company)
- Carnegie Mellon University (other)
- Tesla (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Telematics: The Evolution of Connected Vehicles | Hope Bovenzi, GM of Automotive Infotainment at TI | #AskIoT E025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2019-05-01-telematics-the-evolution-of-connected-vehicles-hope-bovenzi-gm-of-automotive-inf) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Innovation Under the Hood](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-11-02-innovation-under-the-hood) (EE Times Current)
- [Monetizing Connected Cars | Freeeway's Harald Fuchs & KPN IoT's Mark van den Berg | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2025-09-30-monetizing-connected-cars-freeeways-harald-fuchs-kpn-iots-mark-van-den-berg-inte) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [An Interview with Earl Sharpe and Collin Kidder](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-04-16-an-interview-with-earl-sharpe-and-collin-kidder) (The Amp Hour)
- [EV When? | PowerUp! | Optane and World Domination | Betamax](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-06-12-ev-when-powerup-optane-and-world-domination-betamax) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-12-03-203-from-diagnostics-to-connected-cars-the-obd-evolution. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Next Byte Podcast.