Next-gen dashboards get Tegra 2, Moblin, Atom, we go hands-on
By Tim Stevens 
posted January 14th 2010 12:50PM
posted January 14th 2010 12:50PM
Ford's MyFord and Sync updates
First up, and closest to reality, is MyFord. It's an integrated infotainment system like the rest, utilizing your cellphone to serve it data and integrating nicely with a suite of apps that will, with any luck, flood all the major application stores. We already provided our impressions of the tech at some length so we won't blather on about it too much here, but suffice it to say that this is not only one of the most impressive implementations that we saw at the show, but Ford's approach of applying this to all of the company's vehicles is encouraging. That it's launching on the 2011 Focus, a value-minded auto, shows the blue oval hasn't forgotten that pleasing the masses is what got it to where it is today. Yes, we realize that because of this corporate direction Ford may not be the most exciting marque on the planet, but as of now it offers the highest-tech systems available in a mass-produced car -- a fact that we're still trying to get our heads around.
Audi's 3G MMI and Google Earth integration
Naturally Audi and NVIDIA are tauting both systems' ability to enable a rich user experience while also minimizing driver distractions, which is cool, but we were more interested in how the thing performed. For the 3G MMI the experience was buttery smooth, either when scrolling around the Strip from above courtesy of the tiny joystick that's been added, or zooming all the way out until this entire great nation was visible. The default view is an isometric perspective that, up-close, includes 3D representations of buildings. Back it up a bit and the buildings go flat while the terrain starts to stand out, colored nicely such that when we were all the way back things still looked good.
The 2011 A8 will get the 4G MMI, ditching the fiddly joystick and replacing it with a small touchpad. You can use this to enter in numbers, scroll across maps, and even write letters using character recognition. The rest of the physical interface is much the same, with the major change being Google Earth integration, providing satellite view and a much nicer looking interface. The system pulls data through an integrated modem, either using a SIM card inserted into the dash or by cloning the owners' phone -- or at least it will in the European market. Exactly what Audi will do in the US remains to be seen, but the hope is to do something similarly straightforward and to avoid additional monthly fees.
It also remains to be seen when vehicles beyond the flagship A8 will get Google Earth.
It also remains to be seen when vehicles beyond the flagship A8 will get Google Earth.
Visteon does Moblin and Tegra 2
Visteon has been struggling lately, getting delisted and filing for bankruptsy, but the stunning suite of prototype dashboards on display at the show is at least promising that the company isn't giving up hope. There were plenty of current-gen dashes on display, like gorgeous LCD-based models for Range Rover and the latest Jaguar XK, but we were most interested in what's coming next, including one that had an embedded IR camera and was able to detect when a driver got drowsy. The car can then play chimes or vibrate the seat to, hopefully, open those peepers again.
Then there was the Connected Car, which is quite similar to MyFord but is Atom-powered and running Linux -- Moblin to be specific. It will run custom apps, the first on display at this point is Slacker Radio, a logical counterpoint to Ford's inclusion of Pandora. The device can also use a USB cellular modem, turn that signal around and act as a WiFi hotspot, and will nicely aggregate all media either from internal storage or external devices (connected by USB) so that you don't have to remember where you tunes are. They just play. Coolest thing? A spot on top for a PowerMat or the like so that you can wirelessly charge your device while you drive.
Then there was Advanced ICP Concept, tech that will hopefully show up in cars in the next two years. It combines a suite of soft-touch, virtual buttons and a touchscreen, all of which not only react to touch but also react to a sweep, meaning you can scroll through albums by simply waving your hand around. Similarly the dash lights up near your hand as it hovers over, and it looks great -- if you really hate physical buttons and controls.
Finally, there was the pièce de résistance: the Next Generation Cockpit concept. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take any images of it, but it was powered using NVIDIA's Tegra 2 chipset, which quite predictably gives some phenomenal graphics performance for Open GL ES 3D navigation, also delivering some particularly flash dials and gauges. It can even spit high-def media to displays in the dash and in the back seats, simultaneously. Right now the system was just showing a loop, flinging information about in a way that would send most drivers into a seizure (or a ditch), but naturally things will be much simpler when it hits production -- in a few years.
Hughes Telematics' vision of a future Benz
You may not have heard of Hughes Telematics before, but this offshoot of the great Hughes empire provides the tech that, amongst other things, powers Mercedes' latest mbrace technology, Benz's response to OnStar. The company was proud of its new iPhone and BlackBerry apps, allowing users to locate and unlock their cars remotely. But that's not all, announcing its own advanced infotainment system for the car called Next Gen Telematics.
Right now the tech is still in its infancy, with a very simple interface and a USB Griffin PowerMate as a controller. But, the potential is there, showing off the ability to pull in media from external sources, read RSS feeds, and again stream Slacker Radio, preferred by some thanks to its ability to cache tunes locally.
Right now the tech is still in its infancy, with a very simple interface and a USB Griffin PowerMate as a controller. But, the potential is there, showing off the ability to pull in media from external sources, read RSS feeds, and again stream Slacker Radio, preferred by some thanks to its ability to cache tunes locally.
Wrap-up
Of all the systems we saw, none are as close to production as Ford's. That you'll be able to get MyFord in your next Focus is great news, as is word that current users will be getting Sync updates to enable control of apps on smartphones by voice. You're not long from having your Twitter feed read to you while on the go.
We know what you're probably thinking: all these distractions can't do good things for drivers. These companies are thinking that too. At the CES opening keynote, Ford's VP of Product Development Derrick Kuzak cited test results indicating it took 4.9 seconds for someone to queue up a playlist using Sync versus 30 seconds for those using "manual activation" (i.e. swapping CDs, looking up something on a smartphone, etc.). Of those two drivers, only the Sync pilot never took his eyes off the road. Cooler tech and fewer distracted drivers on the road? Where do we sign?
We know what you're probably thinking: all these distractions can't do good things for drivers. These companies are thinking that too. At the CES opening keynote, Ford's VP of Product Development Derrick Kuzak cited test results indicating it took 4.9 seconds for someone to queue up a playlist using Sync versus 30 seconds for those using "manual activation" (i.e. swapping CDs, looking up something on a smartphone, etc.). Of those two drivers, only the Sync pilot never took his eyes off the road. Cooler tech and fewer distracted drivers on the road? Where do we sign?
Lock and unlock your car via the Internet?!! Are they stoopid?!? How long before you can get a hack for that!!!!
@NeoSeer
"How long before you can get an app for that!!!!"
Fixed!
@NeoSeer Yes, because locks that use physical keys cannot be defeated. I'll take a vulnerable yet convenient car over a $2,000 replacement key any day.
@Smurf
If my car uses a traditional metal key or even a wireless key, I must be standing next to or very close (a few dozen feet) of my car to unlock it. If it is unlockable from the internet, then anyone anywhere in the world can hack my car and lock/unlock it. While being to remotely lock my car if it is stolen would be nice, it can still be abused.
@whiskers
"How long before you can get an hack for that!!!!"
re-fixed
Today's lesson in reading comphresion, order of events
Articles implies about an app that let's you unlock your car via internet
Reader inquires how long before there will be an exploit for said app
Huh, you fixed his original statement by adding a gramatical error? I'm not exactly following...
I love the perpetual fear of 'hacking'. First I think we can all make the assumption unlocking your car won't be as easy as requesting a forgotten password on a form, and second any hacker who manages to coordinate a precise hack (on a car he is in walking distance to, can start without the key, and won't be a prime suspect) deserves my nets-car.
Overall, I think some hacker hundreds of miles away unlocking your car is preferred over some idiot breaking your window, hearing the alarm, and running.
@NeoSeer
Couldn't have said it better - there is always a hack concern. Besides this "unlock via internet" technology just seems absolutely pointless.
@Smurf
Well, let's see - first of all, keys with transponders usually range about $100-400 - (my Volvo was $150 for an extra spare), so you are WAY over exaggerating. This is also assuming you lose BOTH sets of keys they give you with the car (I don't even understand how people lose their car keys in the first place). I would MUCH rather fork over a couple hundred for a new key than have an added risk of having my car getting broken into at ANY point in time. Frankly, I think the idea is just beyond stupid. It's another unnecessary vulnerability, but the average fool will think it's a convenience.
AND, before you try and get on the defense about locking keys in cars - it's pretty hard to manage to lock your keys in your car nowadays, especially since most people rely on the remote fob, and also since most keys have transponders that work with the car to prevent this.
@cbizarre
I do agree with you, except one point - if you actually lose one key, you'll probably want to get both keys replaced, and your vehicle rekeyed. The reason is that if someone else has your key and knows your car, then the fact you have a second key may allow you to access your vehicle, but it'll also allow them to do so without raising suspicion from bystanders.
Sort of like when you lose your house keys - you'd want to get all your exterior doors completely re-keyed, rather than just getting a replacement key.
@Monten3gro
Okay, I do agree that obviously it's not easy to "hack" anything.
But, the concern isn't that the person will be able to steal the car, it's that they'll have access to what's inside - which can range from laptops, to prime documentation for identity theft, access to under the hood (stolen engine components), and all the other glorious expensive stuff that can be stolen out of cars.
Add to this the fact that a prime hacker with the right skills can grab a laptop and go car hunting, most likely with only a few minor details about your car. All they would have to do is peek in your car, see if there's anything they want, get the VIN and maybe bullshit some other info and use the laptop with a WiFi network for the rest. All, within a few feet of your car. Hell, they'll be looking right at what it is they want inside of your car.
No, it wouldn't be easy by any means. And, no, the 13 year old techie next door won't be able to pull it off... but SOMEONE will, and they won't be across the country either. The point here is that it is an unnecessary vulnerability.
@Macbeth Actually it's "a hack" not "an hack".
@cbizarre
Fair enough. And I agree, unnecessary for sure.
@Monten3gro A8 will be the coolest audi evar
bla bla bla ... the gauges are still hardware... I WANT SOFTWARE EVERYWHERE>>>... is that so hard?
and don't give me that sobby story... what if the computer gets fried, then how will you know whats happening? seriously, when does that happen, and if it does, its toast...
sense I'm dreaming here, I also want the ENTIRE dash to be one 4' touchscreen and all customizable as in I can photoshop what my dash looks like, and render my own gages and do it "MyFord?" way... and then I want to be able to have the sound system pick up the rev's from the engine and be able to make my car sound like its shifting a indy car, or golfcart, or Harley ... or even a helicopter if I want... shouldn't be hard here...
@whiskers
oh snap! Got'em!
What is next? Robotcop
@techlord
actually the technical term is "RoboCop"
@princecloud35
I don't know, I'm pretty sure it's Robert Cop.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2193788417_26a5a84ac4.jpg?v=0
@techlord
Fact: RoboCop Drove a Ford Taurus!
Its okay but really people are still gonna have problems keeping their eyes on the road. Distractions from playing with the touch screen, but very cool though
@Terrillo M Walls
Yeah, as if cell phones aren't bad enough, it's like they're going out of their way to create more ways to distract people while driving. And this comes just when there's starting to be some momentum behind getting the message across that talking on the phone (hands free or not) is never safe.
Isn't it funny that cars get safer and safer (more types of airbags, better and better breaks, traction control) and yet the number of fatalities in cars never goes down (about 40,000 per year in the U.S.)? There was just a study that said one in four accidents are now caused by people talking on the cell phone. I guess we as a culture just like accidents and inventing ways to get into them. They should just give all these new dashboard inventors the Darwin Award.
@gg555
http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=a3a53fb7d1e50210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2009
It is funny, isn't it?
@gg555
http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=a3a53fb7d1e50210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2009
Very funny indeed...
and will add an extra $6000 to the price of the car.
@One Love no, only $ 5999.99
@One Love
Even that is probably really optimistic, especially depending on the brand. Configuring a new BMW is pretty depressing with the ridiculous prices that BMW charges for even basic options.
Everyone thinks that all these technologies are more distracting, but for the most part, people are going to pick up their cell phones or mp3 players anyway so why not make it easier? Ford really did their homework on this one.
that stuff is really cool but i think really unecessary, way too many distractions for a driver, i think all a car needs is maybe a little info screen showing you fuel, temp with maybe a mpg and tire temp gauge, and a really nice looking tach and speedometer
@delorean2006
Since when has necessity been the determinant for whether something is marketed in this country? Most CARS are unnecessary if all you want is a vehicle that will get you from one place to the other, and actually come to think of it most things that Americans buy are unnecsesary, or at least have versions that are unnecessarily extravagant. Some people enjoy having luxuries like those described here, while others only want the basics. Hence a variety of models and option packages.
BSOD on your dashboard. nice.
@trig
I sure hope ford does not install the Sony timer on their Sony branded dashboards.
I've got Sync in my Mercury Mariner, and it's a great thing to have. Plug a memory key in with all your music on, and go. It genuinely is less distracting than having to manually change your playlist, and the voice recognition is pretty good. Although it has a hard time distinguishing between "shuffle on" and "shuffle off."
Sweet! I like that I can read the NY Times while I'm driving.
People fear hacking because it happens daily... Even so called complex systems that they said couldn't be broken... Wanna list? Lol On another note does this mean each vehicle will have an IP address? If so is that kinda sinister?? Yes or No?
@NeoSeer
Every vehicle has a VIN number, and if registered, has a license plate number unique to the state of registration. Hopefully the driver will have the option to disable the internet radio if he wishes, like you can with most internet capable cellphones.
Did anyone else thing that the guy showing off the myford system sounded like Turk from Scrubs?
@benjybaruch
Who's up for Brinner?
This got to be a joke, right? These controls/UIs are way too complicated to be safe! Several layers of list menus with tiny text! What were they thinking?...
1 whoever reads the times while driving should fall a cliff, no offense.
2 Hackers will have the same problems getting into a car as someone walking down the street trying to break in with nothing but there elbow. I know this cause my friends car got broken into within 30 minutes of a stop by a friends house. GPS iPod and radio gone. And someone walking down the street with a computer in hand walking along cars would look very suspicious.
3 do you look at these controls while driving? How is this different from talking on your phone. At least when I talk on my phone I dont take my eyes off the road.
4 For safety they should have some of those controls lock once the car leaves park. Not everything should be accessible while in drive.
@TPAYNE87
You semi-joke about people reading while driving.. I've seen people reading a novel at night, using both hands to hold the book open and a flashlight to light it.. barely glancing up every few seconds. Going 65+ on the I5.
@Miguelitosd
Yeah those people can go ahead and find that cliff
all i need is a tach, speedo, fuel gauge, temp gauge, and a nice sound system. anything else is unnecessary. all these fancy displays, nav systems and traction control is just a way for the dealer to get more of your money. hell i don't even want ABS or an automatic transmission on my car. whatever happened to cars being cars not your living room on wheels?
hurrah for better distracted driving!!
This is pretty cool. Its too bad we'll never actually see this on the market :/
Those touch buttons are an accident waiting to happen. Even the videographer noticed that.
Here is the thing. this is asking for people to look at the dash and console way more than they should. I just bought a new vehicle that had integrated GPS about 7 months ago and I notice I look at it a bit more and sometimes it has cause a few new collisions. What we really need is something like an unobtrusive transparent HUD that can give us what we really need, Speed, Fuel, Oil Temp, Service Warnings, and directions when we need them. Just my $0.02.
sorry. I don't want any highly integrated technology with my car. I'll be fine bringing my smartphone and hooking it up to an aux port for sound to get my navigation, music, and anything else. For big families, I can see the benefit of a dvd player in the back, but nothing else really.
Unlocking via the internet? Yeah, I'm not exposing my car to a billion untrusted users, bots, and who knows what else.
I for one think its great an American car company has innovated itself into the lead position for bringing hi tech into automobiles. Way to go Ford!
Unlocking sounds about as useful as the solar flashlight. Now, if a car would keep track of my exchange schedule, phone proximity, and flight status, start/warm up appropriately, then I'd buy it over its competitor.
Oh.. and a "pleasure" function would be pretty cool too.
I only watched the first 3 or 4 videos, but damn, the graphics were choppy as hell!!
Have these people ever used a modern smartphone, or video game console? 7 fps for ANYTHING is completely unacceptable.
The Ford system seemed the best by far, but I wish they'd model their UI to be more like what we are used to with touch screen maps on our phones.
I have a 08 Jeep with the Mygig system, and the touch screen interface is just disgustingly bad.