Click to Enlarge.
General Motors’ OnStar today announced a new brand identity that it says is “a modern, simpler design that represents its commitment to elevating the standards of safety and security, both inside and outside the vehicle.” OnStar is expanding its safety services to motorcycle riders and into the home through Amazon Alexa integration.
“OnStar’s new identity and logo kicks off a new era for the brand and how we are innovating to make our promise of safety and security available to more people,” said Jeff Massimilla, vice president of OnStar Safety and Connectivity at GM.
Motorcycle riders can now have 24/7 access to Emergency Advisors (1) and tailored Roadside Assistance (2). This service is available to all OnStar Guardian Members in the US and Canada.
For motorcycle riders, the app can:
- Use smartphone sensors to detect when a Member is riding or driving and can determine when a change in acceleration occurs, signaling a crash.
- Notify an OnStar Emergency Advisor, who can triage a situation, contact first responders and provide medical assistance until help arrives.
- Provide roadside assistance for Members who own motorcycles, including help when they need gas, a jump or a tow.
Last year, OnStar and Amazon piloted a new feature for select Members, OnStar Guardian for Amazon Alexa to integrate safety services directly into the home. The emergency response capability provides a direct voice connection to an OnStar Emergency Certified Advisor through a compatible Alexa-enabled device in scenarios where Members need to call for help hands-free and time is of the essence.
Today, OnStar Guardian skill for Amazon Alexa is available to all Guardian Members in the U.S. with a compatible Alexa-enabled device.
Guardian skill benefits include:
- Members can instantly reach OnStar Emergency Certified Advisors, hands-free by saying, “Alexa, call for help.”
- Ongoing expansion of services to GM and non-GM customers at home.
- Assistance during in-home emergencies.
In 2021, OnStar made the OnStar Guardian app available to anyone with a compatible smartphone in the U.S. and Canada. Members can take the protection of OnStar wherever they go (3). Anyone can download OnStar Guardian and sign up for the service today through the Apple App Store and Google Play. For those without a GM vehicle, a standalone subscription is available to anyone in the U.S. and Canada. OnStar Guardian is currently available to OnStar members in the U.S. and Canada who are enrolled in a Safety & Security Plan. More information can be found at onstar.com/guardian-app.
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OnStar Footnotes
- Certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch.
- Roadside services provided by Allstate. Roadside Services for vehicles only. Limitations and restrictions apply.
- US and Canada only. Available on select Apple and Android devices. Mobile Crash Response services are intended for use in vehicles only and can connect automatically on Android devices only. Service coverage varies with conditions and location. Service availability, features and functionality vary by device and software version. Device permissions are required for app to operate properly. OnStar links to emergency services. Device and app may not transmit all crash data. See onstar.com for details and limitations.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
OnStar Adds Motorcycles and Integrates Amazon Alexa
Click to Enlarge.
General Motors’ OnStar today announced a new brand identity that it says is “a modern, simpler design that represents its commitment to elevating the standards of safety and security, both inside and outside the vehicle.” OnStar is expanding its safety services to motorcycle riders and into the home through Amazon Alexa integration.
“OnStar’s new identity and logo kicks off a new era for the brand and how we are innovating to make our promise of safety and security available to more people,” said Jeff Massimilla, vice president of OnStar Safety and Connectivity at GM.
Motorcycle riders can now have 24/7 access to Emergency Advisors (1) and tailored Roadside Assistance (2). This service is available to all OnStar Guardian Members in the US and Canada.
For motorcycle riders, the app can:
Last year, OnStar and Amazon piloted a new feature for select Members, OnStar Guardian for Amazon Alexa to integrate safety services directly into the home. The emergency response capability provides a direct voice connection to an OnStar Emergency Certified Advisor through a compatible Alexa-enabled device in scenarios where Members need to call for help hands-free and time is of the essence.
Today, OnStar Guardian skill for Amazon Alexa is available to all Guardian Members in the U.S. with a compatible Alexa-enabled device.
Guardian skill benefits include:
In 2021, OnStar made the OnStar Guardian app available to anyone with a compatible smartphone in the U.S. and Canada. Members can take the protection of OnStar wherever they go (3). Anyone can download OnStar Guardian and sign up for the service today through the Apple App Store and Google Play. For those without a GM vehicle, a standalone subscription is available to anyone in the U.S. and Canada. OnStar Guardian is currently available to OnStar members in the U.S. and Canada who are enrolled in a Safety & Security Plan. More information can be found at onstar.com/guardian-app.
AutoInformed on
OnStar Footnotes
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.