Automatic parks $24M to connect your car

You might not want a connected home, but the benefits of a connected car are clear.

Automatic Labs, a company that creates adapters to monitor your car, announced today that it raised $24 million in a series B round led by USAA, CDK Global, and Comcast Ventures.

Automatic created a car adapter lets you know everything that is happening with your car by decoding your engine readings. You can learn a lot about your car, from engine status to cost of miles per gallon and current location — so you never forget where you parked.

“Our mission is to transform the car ownership experience by enabling the world’s best developers to build world-class apps and services for your car,” said Automatic’s CEO and cofounder Thejo Kote.

The funding announcement came after the release of the company’s app hub for cars. The store lets you pick and choose apps that fit your needs.

Automatic says that almost any car manufactured since 1996 can use the device.

You know when you try to get your car checked, the mechanic plugs a mini computer to let you know on the mechanical status of your car? (I don’t have a car, but I’ve heard that’s how it works.) Well, that’s where the little device plugs in to sync with your phone — and Apple Watch, in some cases — to give you the real-time updates.

“This is an incredibly significant innovation for the automotive industry, and we are excited to invest in this future with Automatic,” said head of corporate development at USAA, Victor Pascucci.

The funding will be used to expand Automatic’s app store. The company says it has raised $32 million to date.