This company just got a federal contract to analyze connected-car data

Talk of the connected car brings to mind thoughts of internet access on the road, and using smartphones to do all sorts of tasks that currently require keys and buttons. But all of those elements will also bring lots of data.
That’s where Agnik comes in. The Columbia-based company looks to analyze data from connected cars.
Recently, the company was awarded a Phase II Research Contract from the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a platform that would collect data, and potentially provide it to insurance carriers to get benefits for certain driving and car-owning habits.

The platform will look at driver behavior, vehicle performance, location and context data, and offer analytics in those categories, said Agnik Sales Manager Jeff Baughman.
“If the car owner is interested in getting benefits from insurance carriers or other related businesses (like repair services) then only the analytics will be shared,” Baughman said.
Agnik already makes a Connected Insurance Program, which gives drivers who use the company’s data analytics app an insurance quote. The new platform will add more data that the driver can then use for insurance.
Baughman declined to say how much the contract is worth, but said the company plans to hire more people.
Agnik makes other big data products that are used by AT&T, Audiovox, Walmart and Best Buy, Baughman said.