telematics
Telematics is a technical term used primarily in professional, industrial, and academic contexts. While it technically refers to any system combining telecommunications and informatics, in modern everyday usage, it is almost exclusively associated with the automotive industry. When people mention telematics today, they are usually referring to GPS tracking, onboard diagnostics, and the remote monitoring of vehicles.
In terms of register, it is a formal word. You will find it in corporate reports, insurance policies, and technical manuals rather than in casual conversation. A person might say "my car has a tracking system" in a casual setting, but a company will say they are "implementing a telematics solution."
Grammatically, telematics is an uncountable noun. It functions like "electronics" or "informatics," referring to a field of study or a general technology. It is never used in the plural form (e.g., you would not say "telematicses").
Meanings
The branch of information technology that deals with the long-distance transmission of computerized information.
Study telematics.
The integrated use of telecommunications and informatics in vehicles for monitoring and communication.
Examples
I wonder if telematics will eventually make traditional car insurance obsolete.
The intersection of telecommunications and informatics is known as telematics.