Nice interior huh? And how 'bout that 7-inch touchscreen display slapped onto the center console. Pretty sweet right? You're looking at the inside of VW's third iteration of their Space Up! -- the Space Up! blue -- just revealed at the LA auto show. Now try this on. Reader Joona wonders if this is the result of recent collaborations between
Apple and VW. After thinking about it some, we're starting to wonder too. As
Autoblog describes it, the concept touchscreen monitor "controls all conceivable functions" and is meant to demonstrate how future human-machine interfaces might look and operate. The touchscreen (no mention of multi-touch support) uses proximity sensors to react to
gestures, apparently,
without actually touching the display. The user can simply
touch the "main menu carousel" to navigate to the desired category or manipulate the system with simple hand gestures near the display.
Autoblog says, "Visually, this control is just as spectacular as it is intuitive." Now, chew on this for a second. VW announced earlier this week that all new VW models in
2008 2009 will have touchscreens. Is this what Apple has in store for us at January's MacWorld? Who knows, but it's a compelling story, eh? Now, anyone have a video of this in action? A few more pics after the break.
Update: Found a video on YouTube. It's a slightly older version of the Space Up! revealed in Tokyo but the control panel looks the same. Interface in action at about 1:10 in and then again at 4:00.
Update 2: Jumpin' Johosephat, reader Rat128 just nailed it. That looks like cover flow on the dashboard. In fact, that artwork is from Jack Johnson's
In Between Dreams... an
Apple fave.
Update 3: Second video found courtesy of
Edmonds Car Space showing a slightly different design of the carousel in much more detail, quirks and all.
Read -- All VWs to get touch screens
Read -- Space Up! blue
posted November 16th 2007 8:31AM
what happened to cars just being cars and not mobile living rooms? im all for having a nice stereo in my ride, but this seems totally unnecessary. im guessing this thing isnt available in a stick or have any form of rpm readout. What happened to "Drivers Wanted" VW? the car industry isnt about performance any more. its about who has the coolest HD Radio or nav screen or heated power folding memory lumbar supporting hide away swivel seats. give me a small fuel efficient pocket rocket any day.
i like VW but i think this is dumb. i have a 1984 Rabbit and a 1997 Cabrio and i like the basic but efficient German feel to them. seems like this Apple deal is a step away from what make a VW a VW
So Apple uses Comic Sans MS now? See "long distance mode"
I see more and more concept cars going back to using "suicide doors", yet new cars come with the standard four door design. I wonder what the designers are thinking/seeing that others do not? All in all, if it comes with the fold down seats that my fit has, this is a pretty cool little car. Where is the engine and how do you get to it?
Is this a hydrogen fuel cell car? Look on the central panel on the top of the screen, see that little h2? That's hydrogen my friends.
As for VW's breaking down...
I have a 2006 VW Jetta and I have never had one problem with my car. The bulbs haven't gone out, nothing like what people are posting here.
I have the 2.5L 2006 VW Jetta.
If this were the iCar, this would be freakin' sweet. At least it would give Microsoft a run for their money vs. SYNC.
VW > Ford
Apple > MSFT
I suggest that people take a look at the new Mini Clubman to see a 'suicide door' not only on a current car but a mainstream one too.
As for knobs being used for a reason the only reason is that during the lifetime of the motor car that particular interface was the only one available. Like the leaf spring it maybe has continued well after its actual logic has long been superseeded by new superior solutions. Maybe they are still the best option but a more open mind to alternatives especially alternatives that have the potential to work better with just a little lateral thinking really isn't too much to ask.
Oh and for those who don't want facts VW's for better or worse are long term high performers in the reliability stakes. Funny how that does little to prevent the urban myths being passed about by those whose prejudice far greater than their brain capacity.
All I care about that this is a cool gadget :)
you guys are all crazy for knocking VW. I've got a 1973 Beetle I've been driving for 20+ yrs with no major problems. Yeah I've had a few burned out bulbs and blown fuses but come on I've put 200k miles on the car and it's still going strong. Typically I can agree though that the "newer" V-dubs have some wiring issues, but then again the more complicated the tech the more chance of problems developing in any one particular vehicle.
Over the weekend at the LA Auto Show, the center dash display was very obviously displaying Windows XP.
I don't really know how that plays into things, but I am 100% positive there is some XP underneath this interface.
Dont forget guys the Audi A1 also had a very coverflow look dash display,
shown here http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071018.009/mini14/first-photos-audi-a1-metroproject-quattro-concept
And Audi are of course a VW group company, along with Skoda, Seat, Lambourghini, Bugatti and Bentley but all of which Porsche may well control by early next year! So theres a large range of vehicles for the equipment to go into.
For Apple a link with a massive car producer like VW group would see a great intro to an even wider audience than they currently have with the ipod, which when people realise how simple there systems are to use will lead to more iMac sales as has happened with the ipod it's a good play for Apple!
There go my insurance rates.
Touch-screens in an aircraft (for anything that isn't directly used for takeoff/approach/landing? Fine. Touch-screens in a car? Forget it.
My wife has a Prius with a goofy touch-screen interface. It's horrible. Trying to work the climate controls while driving is very dangerous, as you have to take your precious attention off the road for far too long to work the controls.
I myself drive a 2005 Crown Victoria ex-police car, with good ol' fashioned knobs all over the place. When I want to change the climate controls, I just reach down, and grab a knob. I don't even have to take my eyes off the road. Very intuitive.
I don't EVER want a touch-screen controlling ANYTHING but the NAVIGATION in my car. Do you hear me, automobile manufacturers? EVER. Knobs. Give me genuine knobs.
BMW's iDrive was a step in the right direction--rather develop that technology than unsafe, attention-sapping touch screens.
When the cars no longer need drivers, fine. Put touch screens on every interior surface. Until then, I want knobs.
well, vw quality sucks really bad. my friend's vw engine and tranny are suck. the handling is decent though.
why dont companies design products to last longer??! (well, doyee, they want to make money, but F you!)
I was at the LA auto show and the center screen was showing a Windows XP desktop when I was there. So much for the entire Apple rumor! I've got pics (although the screen is sorta hard to see).