Audi shows off concept cellphone / vehicle control device

Audi has dabbled in cellphone-to-car interfaces in the past, but it now looks to be stepping things up in a big way, with its new metroproject concept system sporting its very own, apparently self-designed cellphone / do-it-all device. In addition to doubling as a cellphone, the handset (which boasts both Wi-Fi and 3G UMTS technology) will apparently act as an MP3 player, a vehicle control system, and an input for the car's navigation system. As if that wasn't enough, it can also receive pics of any intruders snapped by the vehicle's camera system, and it'll even let you then keep watch on 'em as they speed away thanks to the built-in tracking system. That's, of course, if it ever actually makes it into a production vehicle -- a possibility that Audi so far seems to be tight-lipped about.

[Thanks, David M]

[Dias @ Oct 18th 2007 1:03PM]

Specs are ok if you're ad Audi owner, but man, that thing is fugly.

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 18th 2007 1:07PM]

I have a S550 on lease and I will say that if you want in-car cellular done right, you should follow Daimler Chrysler's lead.

First of all, every car with this type of system should come with bluetooth capability so users can pair the phone to the car. Then, there should be some type of dialpad integrated into the dashboard or console to allow for quick dialing. The voice should be routed through the car's speakers.

Newer Chrysler's, Dodge and jeeps come with a device called UCONNECT which does this.

I like the way the S550 does it with a small dialpad at the end of the armrest.

This device by AUDI is ridiculous. Audi should just copy the benz's system like they did when they copied BMW's IDrive.

Likely this device will cost so much it won't be worth the price unless it comes bundled with your new A8L or S8

[Borje @ Oct 18th 2007 4:43PM]

Hmm...I have Audi Q7 with voice control and BT. I don't understand why I need dialpad because I just say "telephone", "call to biatch" and it connects the phone call.

[quasimoto @ Oct 18th 2007 1:10PM]

All that unused space should be used to make the screen bigger.

[paragraph @ Oct 18th 2007 1:12PM]

Ford responds with the Ford BRICK (Brownish Red Intruder Countermeasure Kit), witch consists of, you guessed it, a brick.

Seriously, this is too much integration for me... next thing you know your car will fold into a DAP that moonlights as a phone, that is also a camera, that also browses the web, that is also a portable DLP projector, and is also a game console that can play every game ever made, oh, and it holds 32tb of data too...

yeah, i want that, total friggin integration...

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HAVING A STANDARD OF QUALITY!

i guarentee this is a horrid MP3 player, a bad phone, and probably no better than any other car alarm system you can get.... i want convience, not a million crappy excuses for a device crammed into one ugly package...

anywho, gotta say it: is it VW compatable?

[L @ Oct 18th 2007 2:41PM]

LOL at BRICK :D

Seriously though, that looks right straight out of the 80s...aren't concepts supposed to look friggin out-of-this-world cool?

[Josh L @ Oct 18th 2007 1:19PM]

Wake me up when I can remote-control my car with this like Batman.

[MrFuNKy76 @ Oct 18th 2007 1:20PM]

exactly, remote control car aww ya!

[ALLurGroceries @ Oct 18th 2007 4:01PM]

That's the only reason I clicked this headline... 'vehicle control device'... LOL@ME

[NG @ Oct 18th 2007 1:23PM]

audi.. nice

[Thomas Prescott @ Aug 26th 2008 12:24PM]

Wasn't this something in that 1997 James Bond film, "Tomorrow Never Dies?"

[scott @ Oct 18th 2007 2:33PM]

Maybe they should just wait to develop for the iPhone...

[jacob @ Oct 18th 2007 3:12PM]

@ Dick > This isn't some 'link your RAZR to the car via BT' system buddy. Read again. iDrive isn't any system that uses a knob to navigate. It's the software and UI that make it great. Great inventions shouldn't be limited to the creator. Look who pioneered AWD available in every model sold. Watch them follow. The Benz system isn't that great, or it appeals to an older crowd.

It does look like crap, but knowing VWag it's a working prototype not some 'neato' chunk of plastic. Remember, form follows function. Integration is great when it's done right. I don't know about you but the less i have to put in my pocket the better.

@ paragraph > How many alarm systems you know of allow you to watch video of the person stealing your car...more importantly, take one incriminating picture.

If anyone could do it right, I would look to this group. I mean look at the Veyron.

Lead, Never Follow. Audi.

[Alain @ Oct 18th 2007 3:23PM]

Yeah, it may seem like a good idea at first, but seriously whos gonna give up their blackberry for this piece of junk. I hope Audi tries better the second time around or at least partner up with someone who knows what they are doing.

[Jeff @ Oct 18th 2007 3:33PM]

thats sweet

[Wolfticket @ Oct 18th 2007 4:19PM]

I watched that film, it was rubbish.

[Sweathog @ Oct 18th 2007 5:08PM]

Been there; done that:

http://www.connect2car.com/web/index.php

[AnymousDubber @ Oct 18th 2007 5:34PM]

You must be on shit Alain, this is a fucking palm, it's for your car, not for listening to music and enjoying yourself. It's your car's security, navigation, and form of radio. It doubles as a crappy sheeple iPOD so you don't have to lug around a gay apple ipod.

Also, very well written Jacob, VERY WELL written.

Also, screw quick-dial touch pads are shit, Audis are done with that, all you do is talk to the car if you want to make a phone call.

[Z @ Oct 18th 2007 6:45PM]

Wow. All deez features... where da Bluetooth? Tarzan want Bluetooth!

OK, I'm sure it has to be there.

Seriously though, that's a pretty cool concept. Although, I was hoping for remote control à la James Bond! (OK, we're not there yet).

[DungeonMaster @ Oct 18th 2007 7:57PM]

Good gravy, looks like a garage door opener had a one night stand with an old PDA...

[Dwayne Reed @ Oct 21st 2007 5:20AM]

If i can turn on/off the car, open the doors (not just unlock), open/close the windows/sunroof/hardtop, with that all from outside the car plus also be a phone mp3 player navigation gps and video/camera then i might have to get me an Audi

[Al @ Oct 21st 2007 2:19PM]

Looks like the old Nokia 7650