BMW and Mercedes to have Intel Atom-based infotainment systems in 2012
By Nilay Patel 
posted Sep 22nd 2009 2:56PM
posted Sep 22nd 2009 2:56PM
Intel just announced that both BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be shipping Atom-based infotainment systems designed by Harman-Becker in 2012. BMW will make the system available in the 7-series, while MB will put it in S- and C-class vehicles. According to Paul Otellini, these are just the first Atom-based in-vehicle entertainment systems to be announced, and automakers are coming around to "consistent and persistent platforms," so we'd expect this is the start of a very welcome trend. Sadly there was no demo, but we'll be on the lookout here at IDF.
When will the computers start driving the cars?
the S-class already has a feature that drives for you. To be more specific it follows the driving pattern for the person ahead of you and just copies it. Kind of like advanced cruise control (You don't have to keep your hand on the wheel either).
...what if they already have?
http://boomfizzle.mybrute.com
That would be great, seeing has the number of idiots that drive BMW`s a computer to take over the drive from them would be a blessing to everybody.
the people I know that drive a bmw are very responsible.. and they probably wouldn't buy one if it drove for you because driving is the whole point of a bmw I actually see more idiots driving MB, especially S class because they are all old people
Somehow I smell a rebirth of Microsoft's AutoPC or is it Microsoft Auto now?
also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carputer
Hopefully they'll also be able to fix the interface of the nav system...it's a bitch to use.
they won't have something better than the Atom by 2012?
Well, unlike your pc which a typical person replaces every 2-3 years, cars on the other hand must last 10 years plus without needing an upgrade. That's one of the reasons car manufacturers rely on tried and tested systems.
Since it's going in a car, I think they need time to test it.
Anyway, 3D (yes, you need it for GPS) and multimedia on Atom sucks, so I hope they include the Ion platform.
They could spend $500 for the hardware and charge $3000 for it. Maybe they will just put Android 2 on it with a custom app for car specific features (like sensor readouts and analysis).
Well, they cannot put a high end processor like an i7 in the car. That would run the risk of overheating. Have you ever heard of a car processor overheating?
better doesn't just mean faster. i was thinking more efficient. use less power and smaller. putting a high performance processor in a car would be complete overkill.
S and C class? Uh, what about the E class MB?
Live Accident – oprica007 fades to grey
See the comment from:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/bmw-and-mercedes-to-have-intel-atom-based-infotainment-systems-i/comments/21815621/
You must see. ..
you're right. this isn't nearly as cool as your '93 T-top Camaro
@ZuneSucks
You're weird. I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or ironic or just plain batshit crazy.
I think once you drive an M or AMG, you will feel a little different.
Nice product really excited to see more
Kind of reminds me of the Space Shuttle in that they are going to use outdated hardware when it would be so easy to spend a few bucks more now & reap the benefits for years to come. As the software advances & updates come down the pike there is no way that a slow ass "Atom" processor will hold up. This is the Auto industry is in such trouble, you spend $60,000 for a car that fails to include equally valued navigation systems / hardware.
It all depends on what you are going to do in your car. Are you forgetting what your cell phone uses? A whole lot less!
The Atom processors with some help from ION will do more than enough! From FULL HD movies to modern games! What is missing from that puzzle?
I think you just didn't think it through.
Correction: This is "why" the Auto industry is in such trouble
So thats how the world is going to end. Everyone will be too busy watching D-Motor and Top Gear while driving they will just ghost driver kill everyone
Hi guys,
I just have to say...what is going on with these cars? Companies are putting so many new gadgets in vehicles, but before you know it; we will be flying wherever we go in small motorized vehicles. So much thought gets put into cars when there are so many other problems to concern ourselves about. I found this other site that goes over some of them and offers $1000 in the process. Take a peek!
http://www.mediancs.com/rd_p?p=192109&t=9534&a=25081-36sfree+cash&gift=25081
Cin
Your post oozes jealousy, it's rather sad actually.
What would a "electric muscle" car be anyway. O' I know basically a poorly designed version of the Tesla Roadster w/ twice as many batteries then need and it would still be inferior in every way.
of course....the two least dependable car companies (aside from land rover) get atom.
the reason theyre "undependable" is because they have a lot of luxury features unlike your Hyundai.
more parts means more stuff that can break. if i was buying a car that i wanted to last over 10 years i would want one with no power windows or locks.
You do know that the dependability studies by JD Power rate excess brake dust as a problem of the same proportion as engine failure? Plus I believe MB and BMW owners are much more picky about design problems than the average car driver.
Haha, it's even more of a shame when he realizes his clunky, heavy, horrible handling, unreliable American car gets less horsepower and performance out of that V8 than most Benz/BMW V or I 6, and is even matched by some Japanese I4.
These spammers really don't realize how pointless their spam on here is, apparently.
yea.. i'm not sure what makes you think they aren't dependable.. obviously if you can't afford the maintenance and service than your SOL
Not saying they arent fun to drive or luxurious. I test drove a E550 and a 545i, but ended up buying a GS460. Lexus has tons of luxury features and destroys MB and BMW in dependability. I did love my 540i I used to have, though. I wonder if BMW will tie atom into the I-Drive? And for that matter, I feel like Apple should incorporate something for that iDrive...just seems to make sense...
I would love to see that system go live in either of the two manufacturers. But one question what if the idiot in front of you is a jerk and wants to crash into someone or drive of the road. Or what if its a hummer in front and wants to go the off road route, will you be following it with your 100k luxury car?
sc7: Japanese 4cyl that i have driven has been an absolute dog. my dad has an 07 Civic Si. sure it puts out 197HP but thats at like 7,900 RPM and has barely any torque. the Euro 6cyl might be true its not all about horsepower. i'd rather have torque. thats why i drive VW
After watching my in-car GPS become obsolete after about 6 months, I can't see these car computers as being a good idea. Before the new car smell wears off, the computer will be dog compared to after-market devices. What the industry needs is a DIN standard "hole" in the dash for GPS/infotainment devices along with a standard connector that supplies the GPS antenna, speed info, speaker (or power amp) connections, etc. Then, after a year or two, I can put a new up-to-date device in the car without wires dangling all over the place. I wouldn't even mind if they charged me $1000 for the "DIN hole" as an option, Let them get the high-end GPS/computer revenue without giving me a GPS, just don't lock in me into an old system for 8 years.
Yes, but then other people would be getting the money for the computer, rather than BMW/MB
At my local BMW dealer, they offer free upgrades to the newest version of the X-drive, and offer upgrades if a new model of the computer comes out. Similar to what you want, and if you don't like it, my son built a pretty sweet carputer w/ an LCD instead of a radio, with a ~15" flatscreen in the back that's hooked up to an X360 and the PC. He did it all for under $800, minus the price of the PS3 and the TV.
Get started developing now. Here's the reference board and dev kit based on Moblin:
http://www.congatec.com/ivikit.html
Actually, MB is already working towards upgradeable OEM NAV units. An idea that is looooooong overdue, for precisely the reason you gave.
http://www.gearlog.com/2009/02/harman_develops_addon_gps_for.php
So now it'll make sense when you have intel inside bumper stickers...
Headline ought to read "Mercedes and BMW integrate outdated processors into vehicales in 2012"
"Al.O. @ Sep 22nd 2009 3:06PM
the S-class already has a feature that drives for you. To be more specific it follows the driving pattern for the person ahead of you and just copies it. Kind of like advanced cruise control (You don't have to keep your hand on the wheel either)."
You're wrong. I sell Mercedes-Benz for a living.
The S Class, and the new 2010 E Class have an option known as Distronic Plus. Distronic is the adaptive cruise control feature that you're referring to that keeps you a set distance from the car ahead.
The 'Plus' is the part that actually brings the car to a stop if traffic ahead comes to a stop.
You still have to hold the steering wheel though.
I think you're confusing another feature known as "Lane Keeping Assist," which is a series of cameras watching the lanes on the side of the road. If you begin to drift over these lanes, you are notified by an audio chime, as well as a visual indicator, and vibration of the steering wheel.
There is also "Blind Spot Assist," and "Attention Assist."
Blind Spot Assist puts an orange triangle indiator in your side view mirror if a car is in your blindspot for more than a second. If you put on your turn signal while a car is in the blind spot, the signal blinks, ahile an audio tone chimes, and again, the steering wheel vibrates.
Attention Assist monitors 70 different variables throughout the vehicle, and learns your driving style within 20 minutes of driving. It will detect if you're nodding off, and will alert you with a coffee cup signal in the display, as well as an audible signal, and vibration of the wheel.
Attention Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist are new for the 2010 E Class this year, and are actually not yet available for the S Class, but are said to be coming soon. The vibration of the steering wheel is only with the new E Class as well.
Over all, the safety features are very much likee science fiction, but the cars do not yet drive for you, nor do they steer the wheel.
In Europe they have cars that will actually adjust your steering back into your lane if you begin to drift out of it, but they don't allow that yet in the US.
"Smartmouth @ Sep 22nd 2009 3:02PM
Hopefully they'll also be able to fix the interface of the nav system...it's a bitch to use."
BMW's iDrive is certainly a bitch. Even the "newly redesigned for ease of use" version has seven buttons in addition to the central contoller.
However, the newest version of the MB system (4.0 Telemetrics), is so much simpler. There is simply the central controller, and two additional buttons--"Clear," and "Back."
If you want it to be even simpler than that, the voice control is spectacular.
For the record, bluetooth is now standard, and iPod/iPhone integration is phenominal.