In the coming months or years, many car owners would now be able to drive a car similar to KITT of the popular television show “Knight Rider” once Wi-Fi technology makes its way to automobiles.

Yes, Internet connection would not only be limited to laptops, desktops, or smartphones but also to your cars turning them into a “wi-fi hotspot.” Jeff Kagan, an independent telecommunications analyst, believes that although it may seem like a distraction, wi-fi apps for cars can become integral to our lives.

Market research firm iSuppli sees an increase in global shipment of car Wi-Fi systems from 174,000 last year to 7.2 million by 2017. The technology was first offered as an aftermarket accessory but now many car manufacturers are starting to develop some Wi-Fi technology.

Ford has already integrated Wi-Fi in selected models since 2010. Internet connection has also been offered by other car makers such as General Motors, BMW, Audi, Saab, and Chrysler. In mid-march mobile telecommunications giant Nokia has introduced Car Connectivity Consortium, a tie-up with 11 companies sharing similar technical standards and includes automobile manufacturers Daimler, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

California-based Autonet Mobile, which considers itself as the pioneer in offering Internet-based telematics and applications service platform for the automobile industry, has more than 10,000 customers subscribed to its Car-Fi service at $29 per month. The company has recently sealed deals with General Motors and Subaru.

According to Sterling Pratz, the company’s chief executive, car owners are now looking for a better way to entertain themselves outside the DVD player. Many people are now using Wi-Fi to watch videos or listen to music. Established in 2005, Autonet only operates in the United States but is planning to talk with European and Asian car manufacturers as well.

In Europe, car manufacturer Audi is using a system developed by Marvell Technology and Harman Automotive to develop a factory-installed Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling connections for up to eight devices. Saab is launching its Google Android based app IQon, dubbed as “a completely new car infotainment user experience.” It will let third-party developers to create apps by tapping 500 signals from different sensors in the vehicle.

Ford’s Wi-Fi app called MyFord Touch, which is integrated to its SYNC connectivity for mobile phones and music players will not offer an independent data plan but will instead let consumers connect their own Wi-Fi gadgets. The company expects the technology to be on 80 percent of its cars in North America in the next four years and is set to launch the technology worldwide by 2012.

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