Automatic, the maker of the Automatic Pro and Automatic Lite devices that link to an iPhone to track and read driving data, has been purchased by satellite radio provider SiriusXM for over $100 million. According to a blog post breaking the news, the brands will remain separate and Automatic will continue to focus on the connected car.
Automatic’s product line began in 2013 with the Automatic Link. Plugged into the onboard diagnostic port that has been in most cars since 1996, the device sends drive tracking information and diagnostic reports to a connected iPhone app. Last year, the company abandoned the original Automatic Link except for minimal functions, replacing the device with two models. The Automatic Lite is similar to the original device, while the Automatic Pro ($129.95) includes free 3G connectivity allowing vehicle tracking without an iPhone present in the car.
