Soon you could earn cryptocurrency as you drive

Jaguar Land Rover is trialling technology that could earn drivers cryptocurrency and rewards as they travel.

'Smart wallet' technology would allow drivers to earn credits by allowing their cars to report road condition data, such as potholes or traffic congestion, to local authorities and navigation providers.

Those credits could pay for rewards like Coffee, parking fees, and for smart charging electric vehicles. That means there could be no more loose change floating around your glovebox if the technology catches on.

The technology is currently being trialled in Ireland, where several Jaguar vehicles have been equipped with 'smart wallet' functionality. The vehicles include the F-PACE and Range Rover Belar.

"The connected car technologies we are developing will be transformative and truly turn your Jaguar or Land Rover into a third space, in addition to your home or office," says Jaguar Land Rover software architect, Russell Vickers.

"In the future an autonomous car could drive itself to a charging station, recharge and pay, while its owner could choose to participate in the sharing economy - earning rewards from sharing useful data such as warning other cars of traffic jams.

Jaguar says the smart wallet technology plays a part of its zero emissions, zero accidents, and zero congestion strategy called Destination Zero.

Part of reaching this target is developing a shared economy where the vehicle plays an integral role as a data gatherer in the smart city of the future. For example, the connected 'Smart Wallet' services will promote a reduction in congestion with the sharing of live traffic updates and offering alternative routes to drivers, reducing tailpipe emissions from idling in traffic.

"Our Shannon software development centre is advancing the use of cryptocurrency to make people's lives better, by allowing drivers to safely share data and make payments from their vehicle. Working with our engineering hub in the UK, the team in Shannon are pioneering and testing these sophisticated connected technologies that will help people to make the most of the time they spend in their car," adds Jaguar Land Rover executive director of product engineering, Nick Rogers.

"Jaguar Land Rover is embracing autonomous, connected, electrified and shared mobility technology as we endeavour to make cars safer, cleaner and smarter for everybody.

The UK engineering team is also developing the next generation of electrical architecture as well as exploring advanced driver assistance systems features for future vehicles.