What is "telematics"

n. 1 The science of sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices. 2 The use of Global Positioning System technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology.

Telematics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses telecommunications, vehicular technologies, road transportation, road safety, electrical engineering (sensors, instrumentation, wireless communications, etc.), and computer science (multimedia, Internet, etc.). Telematics can involve any of the following:

• the technology of sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices in conjunction with affecting control on remote objects
• the integrated use of telecommunications and informatics for application in vehicles and with control of vehicles on the move
• GNSS technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology in automotive navigation systems
• (most narrowly) the use of such systems within road vehicles, also called vehicle telematics

In contrast, telemetry involves the transmission of measurements from the location of origin to the location of computing and consumption, especially without affecting control on the remote objects. Though typically applied in the testing of flight objects, telemetry has multiple other uses.