'Internet of Things' vehicles will reach 250m by 2020, says Gartner research

New research by Gartner has claimed that a quarter of a billion connected vehicles will be on the roads by 2020.

In a discussion of the internet of things, which alludes to the idea that at some point every conceivable object will be connected to the internet, Gartner hypothesised that one in five vehicles in the world will have wireless internet.

Most mainstream car manufacturers already offer some form of wireless internet with their newer vehicles, including Ford, Mercedes, Tesla and BMW.

Gartner research director James F Hines said in the report: "The connected car is already a reality, and in-vehicle wireless connectivity is rapidly expanding from luxury models and premium brands to high-volume mid-market models.

"The increased consumption and creation of digital content within the vehicle will drive the need for more sophisticated infotainment systems, creating opportunities for application processors, graphics accelerators, displays, and human-machine interface technologies.

"At the same time, new concepts of mobility and vehicle usage will lead to new business models and expansion of alternatives to car ownership, especially in urban environments."