Remember those times when you were late at work and forgot to pick up dinner for your family, fill gas or pick up baby food? Mastercard is partnering with General Motors (GM) and IBM to make sure that these scenarios are a thing of the past. Come next year, your car will prompt you to do all those things and let you pay for them from the comforts of your car, without opening your wallet.

This breakthrough collaboration will bring Masterpass secure, payment technology and Mastercard Digital Enablement Services (MDES) to a new cognitive mobility platform called OnStar Go, which will be embedded across many GM vehicles starting in 2017.

Consumers have come to expect a broad range of sophisticated technology features in their cars such as Wi-Fi access, voice-activated controls, keyless entry and remote start and stop. By embedding Masterpass within OnStar Go, Mastercard will enable drivers and passengers to safely make secure and seamless payments for goods and services using credit or debit cards stored within their Masterpass wallet.

How does it work?

With IBM Watson, OnStar Go enables merchants and brands to create new, connected driving experiences. For example, if a driver picks up breakfast from a specific restaurant that is part of the OnStar Go merchant marketplace, the restaurant would have the ability to prompt the driver to order menu items based on past order history.  The driver is then able to order ahead and checkout with Masterpass directly from the car and pick up his order, without having to pay at the restaurant. With time and increased usage, the merchant is able to learn more about the driver’s preferences and is able to make offers, which are delivered on the dashboard and are more personalised and contextual.

Connectivity is transforming the way people interact, engage – and now transact. As consumers get more connected, Mastercard sees the potential in every device to be a secure commerce tool— and a driver of a better consumer experience. The partnership between three industry leaders, IBM, GM and Mastercard will bring a whole new meaning to connected commerce and make it more speedy, secure and seamless.

This month's business articles sponsored by: