Miles Labs launched the Miles Plug device, which plugs into the car’s diagnostic connection and provides location, driving and vehicle health information, for sale in the USA. The device is $99, but requires a paid membership to work, according to the company’s Oct. 19 announcement. While data sharing discussions in connected cars continue, Miles states that it does not sell vehicle and journey data.
The product is prepared especially for young drivers and their families who drive old cars. It plugs into the standard diagnostic port under the steering wheel and uses its own GPS and cellular connection. Therefore, it can maintain its connection even if there is no phone in the vehicle. The car’s location and journey details are monitored via the iOS and Android application.
Miles can send notifications of arrival or departure from a saved location. Trip summaries include route, duration and driving events. The company also presents behaviors such as excessive speeding and hard braking for families to evaluate.
In addition, it aims to make sense of information such as engine, battery, fuel and oil life. When the warning light comes on, the system explains what it means. This function is based on reading vehicle data, it does not start, stop or unlock the car remotely. There is no microphone on the device.
Membership fee added to Miles Plug’s $99 price
In the official membership table, a one-year plan is $180, and the first payment with the device is $279. A two-year membership costs $288, for a total of $387 with the device. The three-year plan is $396 and there is no additional charge for the device in this option.
Therefore, the statement 11 dollars per month does not describe a monthly payment package. This amount is the monthly equivalent of a three-year membership. All plans are paid in advance at the beginning of the term and are not automatically renewed. Membership is required per vehicle, no separate fee is required per person for family members to use the application.
The plans also include automatic crash response and round-the-clock roadside assistance. However, the technical specifications of the product clearly state that accident detection may not detect every collision and that cellular coverage is required at the location of the vehicle. These features should not be considered as a guarantee of recovery that works in all cases.
The hardware measures 43 x 25 x 25 mm and weighs 20 grams. It carries a gyroscope with a three-axis accelerometer. It is designed for use in the cabin and is not offered as a device resistant to outdoor conditions.
Compatibility is another issue that should be checked before purchasing. Although the company refers to most 2008 and later vehicles, it requires inspection for the exact make, model and year. While it supports gasoline and hybrid vehicles, it explains that electric vehicle support is not ready yet. The appearance of a model in the list does not in itself indicate that that vehicle is supported today.
On the other hand, the company says that there are no ads in the application and that it encrypts vehicle and travel data. The statement that the data is not for sale is a commitment from the manufacturer, not the result of an independent security audit. Since sales, cellular service or roadside assistance coverage for Türkiye has not been announced, it should not be assumed that you can use US services here as well.