autos
Latest
GM is beta testing a ride-hailing app for autonomous EVs
General Motors acquired Cruise Automation last year to boost its self-driving car efforts. Cruise made kits that turned Audi S4 or A4 vehicles into autonomous vehicles, and the company's know-how helped GM's plans to place more than 300 driverless cars with Lyft, a company GM has invested heavily with. Now GM is testing a beta app that lets employees in San Francisco hail an autonomous Chevy Bolt EV to anywhere in the city. According to TechCrunch, the car company claims that the new service, "Cruise Anywhere," has become the primary way some of its employees get around.
Google's driverless car ideas include airbags on the outside
Airbags on the inside, that's what cars typically have. That's great for protecting people on the inside a vehicle. But, how about airbags on the outside, for the rest of us? Google's patented the idea for its driverless cars, with a system of inflatable bumpers that would react in the event of an accident. Sensors could detect when a collision is imminent and inflate the bags to hopefully reduce damage to anyone (or anything) involved. That said, typical airbags might not help when installed outside of the car, as any poor pedestrian that the system would aim to protect would likely be bounced off -- which doesn't sound particularly safe. Google has the answer, however: visco-elastic material.
Apple CarPlay: What is it and why should you care?
If you have a car and an iPhone, chances are they already know each other. CarPlay builds on the iPod interfaces that are available on nearly every new model. It's not a direct mirror of your iPhone, but a tailored set of apps with a pared-down feature set. Plug in your phone, and CarPlay highjacks the center screen. Most of the partner brands promising CarPlay use touch screens, so swiping and tapping will be just like on the phone. A few, namely the Germans, use buttons and knobs instead-Mercedes with its COMAND interface, BMW with iDrive and Audi with MMI. The screen layout will be the same in every model, independent of automaker, adapted to whatever size display is in the car. Voice commands should work just like they do with Siri Eyes Free. The main apps include CarPlay-ized versions of Phone, Music, (Apple) Maps, Messages and Podcasts. A Home button lives in the corner, and a Now Playing shortcut brings up the current audio. Once third-party apps become CarPlay-friendly-Spotify is the first-they'll show up on the Home screen. Should you want to get back to the car's own system, a branded app (really just a button) will take you there. A lot of this functionality is already available to new-car buyers, albeit without the familiar Apple interface. Various infotainment systems can talk to smartphones through tethered apps, too-like brand-specific apps and iHeartRadio. CarPlay is the next step, a sort of killer tethered app. Because automotive product cycles are long, it takes a while to integrate the latest technology; a new model going on sale today has been in the works for a while, and major changes come every three years or so. iPhones, on the other hand, show up annually, with iOS updates adding new features in between. So CarPlay should continue to evolve and improve, and when you hook up your new iPhone 7S in a few years, it'll be like getting a higher-powered infotainment system, no invasive car surgery required. Now, about that tether. CarPlay won't let you cut the cord. It requires a Lightning cable connection, which also means it's only compatible with iPhone 5 models and up. This at least guarantees constant power. Good luck finding somewhere to stash that 6 Plus, though. Another slight bummer: CarPlay probably won't save you money on your next new-car purchase. No company has announced a dumb head unit that will let the iPhone be the sole brains of the operation -- think Mac mini's BYODKM (bring your own display, keyboard, mouse) philosophy. It's feasible, but automakers still want to get paid, and a navigation system bundled with a big screen is still an easy couple grand. Now the big question is when. Ferrari started delivering CarPlay-equipped models in September, making good on its claim that the gorgeous all-wheel-drive FF hatchback would be first to market with the new tech. (Eddy Cue, an Apple SVP and Ferrari board member, likely had something to do with that.) In the aftermarket, Pioneer made its NEX line of head units CarPlay-capable through a recent firmware update. Alpine has also promised CarPlay compatibility. Like those pre-installed in new cars, these units are expensive, already capable of navigation and plenty of other stuff. The advantage is you can put one in almost any car, and right now. The downside is a lower level of integration; they often don't talk to the steering-wheel controls of factory systems. As for the rest, Apple promised CarPlay for select models in 2014. In car-speak, that translates to 2015 models, most of which will go on sale this fall. But a CarPlay-compatible car you buy tomorrow won't be CarPlay-capable until it gets a software update, likely provided free of charge at the dealer once it's available. Like most things Apple, we probably won't know when CarPlay will show up in mainstream models until about the time it does. We'll have a review once we get our hands on a CarPlay-equipped model.
Breakdown Buddy: How does it break down
Breakdown Buddy (US$0.99) is a useful app for organizing information needed in case of a car breakdown. The app works on all iOS devices running iOs 7.1 or later. There are two functions of the app; the ability to find your current location on a map and a section that holds details for a breakdown, including the number of a tow truck, car registration, your telephone number, insurance policy number, and a notes section. Having all of that on your phone helpful in stressful situations. It would be even more useful if you could tap on a number in the "breakdown telephone number" field to place a call. It seems a little awkward to have to exit the app to dial a number its storing. The location finder is a basic map that lists street names but not addresses. This is helpful in telling approximately where you are broken down at, but you could also just open up a maps application to find your location with even more accuracy. Breakdown Buddy has a very clean interface and this reinforces the goal of storing all of this important information in one easily accessible place. With some tuning of each feature, this app would definitely be a great help if you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with a broken down car. Breakdown Buddy is US$0.99 on the App Store. It needs a couple of changes to be worth the money as you get more benefit currently from saving your breakdown information in a note taking app and a maps app when used together.
iRacing is the real driving simulator
I've never been to northern California's legendary Laguna Seca road course. In meatspace, at any rate. But thanks to dozens of realistic racing game recreations, I know the track's serpentine layout and its infamous corkscrew corner like the back of my hand. I've barreled through it hundreds if not thousands of times since 1999's Gran Turismo 2, so it darn well ought to be familiar by now, right? And it was, right up until I loaded onto iRacing's version of it.
Hands-on with the Garmin Dash Cam
Garmin rolled into this year's CES with a ton of stuff, including a brand new camera which can be mounted on your windshield. Dubbed Dash Cam, the device can take WVGA, 720p or 1080p video, and the idea is to have it capture footage of daily drives and use that as evidence in case of an accident -- "It is fully automated and gives drivers peace of mind knowing any events that might occur will be captured," Garmin says. The Dash Cam, which features a 2.3-inch display, also comes with a built-in microphone, microSD card slot and a GPS receiver that makes it possible to have time-stamps and geo-tags on all recordings. After spending a bit of time using it, we can safely say it performs well and does exactly what it's meant to; unfortunately we weren't able to test it on the road, but the menus and settings are straightforward enough for any driver to use practically. While we can certainly see more than one use for Garmin's Dash Cam (read: monitor your teenager's driving habits), its starting price of $220 might end up being a bit too steep for some. Either way, there's a gallery past the jump for you to enjoy, so take a look and let us know what you think.
BMW's autonomous car, or how we drifted into love with a robot
BMW promised, under the banner of its ConnectedDrive platform, to demonstrate some autonomous driving at this years' CES, and wow did it deliver. Labeled as ActiveAssist, the technology describes both partially and highly automated driving and we were definitely out to sample the highly automated variety. Highly automated driving, as the name suggests means the car will essentially drive itself with you sitting as passenger "up to the car's dynamic limit", or as we discovered to about 80 MPH. The prototype research cars on hand were tuned for CES by removing the external sensors to make them, more than likely, more pleasant to look at. We chose the M235i -- because who wouldn't, given the choice? -- though there was a diesel 6-series Grand Coupe as well. Seeing as the sensors were missing, the car was following a pre-defined path, but still completely reactive to its environment. The most compelling example of this was on the second lap of the infield track set up at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, when we drifted. Yeah, we put our faith in robot hands and got very sideways through a wet section of the track. I was watching the wheel as we slid and was almost hypnotized seeing the wheel constantly spinning to correct our trajectory and keep the slide going. Sure, the reality of being transported about by your car is a long way off, maybe as much as 10 years. But all the small pieces that spin off from this technology into cars today make the small steps to robot domination fun. Consider things like active cruise control, which can stop the car completely, then resume driving or self-parking cars and it is easy to see that gradual progress. We for one love where this is going, but we wouldn't be hurt to see it let us race our own cars, you know? Find the video tour and our interview with BMW's Werner Huber just below.
BMW unveils prototype self-driving car platform, i Remote app for Samsung Galaxy Gear and driver assistance technology
Automobile manufacturers, long laggard in the ways of technology, have been making a push in recent years to catch up with consumer expectations. BMW is one such car maker, and it's rolling out a suite of new technologies to improve its cars at CES 2014. First up is an improvement to its suite of driver-assistance technology -- ActiveAssist -- that's been built into a new prototype car. Generally speaking, it's a series of control systems that allow the car to react "to fluctuating grip levels" like during hydroplaning to react and bring the car back under control precisely, automatically and without driver input. It accomplishes this by both braking individual wheels (like existing systems) and adjusting steering input in response to its active monitoring of road conditions using lidar, radar, ultrasound and optical cameras.
Garmin's new dash cam will record your crash, man
In the grand scheme of things, $220 might be a small price to pay when it comes to accident liability. Or $250, for that matter. In addition to the rear-facing camera it announced today, Garmin's also offering up a window-mounted dash cam. Where the other helps you avoid potential collisions in the first place, this one'll record the incident if, god forbid, you do get in an accident. The camera records wide-angle video in 1080p, 720p or WXGA resolutions, turning on and off with your engine. The Dash Cam has an incident detector, saving relevant video to its 4GB of storage (a number you increase via expandable memory). The 2.3-inch display, meanwhile, makes it easier to position the cam correctly, and, if need be, you can pull the camera off the windshield to take snapshots. The footage is timestamped and, if you opt for the $250 GPS version, geostamped, so you know where incidents occurred. Both models are arriving next month.
Garmin's latest GPS navigator has a backup camera for avoiding fender benders
Here's a nice feature from the sometimes staid world of in-car GPS devices. The latest from Garmin features a wireless backup camera that'll show what's behind you on its 7-inch display. The ruggedized camera plugs into your vehicle's rearview lights for power, switching on when they do, so you can toggle between that image and the standard navigation screen. The Nüvi 2798LMT package runs $400 and includes the standard Garmin features like voice-activated navigation and free traffic reports and maps.
Google to bring Android to cars with a little help from Audi, GM, Hyundai, Honda and NVIDIA
Already with more than one billion activations on mobile and media devices, Google's Android is set to make an impact on another major industry: automobiles. Following rumors that the search giant was working with Audi to embed its open-source OS inside its cars, the company confirmed today it has teamed up with five automotive and technology companies (with more expected in the future) to form the Open Automotive Alliance. Alongside Audi, Google will be joined by General Motors, Hyundai, Honda and chip-maker NVIDIA, which will all work to bring Android to cars starting this year. The coalition aims to create a common platform that will drive innovation and in turn make cars "safer and more intuitive for everyone." With Apple and Nokia already pushing hard to bring their own software to cars -- Apple already counts Honda, GM and Hyundai as Siri Eyes Free partners -- 2014 could be a big year for connected cars.
Chevrolet and OnStar announce in-car 4G LTE connectivity and curated AppShop
Chevrolet, AT&T and OnStar banded together yesterday at CES 2014 to offer us a glimpse of the heart of the Connected by OnStar 4G LTE infotainment offering: AppShop. The new service will feature a curated collection of HTML5 apps -- read: So if you're driving in the sticks and are out of cell range, your apps mostly won't work -- focused on music, weather, news and vehicle telematics all connected via AT&T's LTE network. All cars that include the OnStar 4G LTE service will also feature a WiFi access point built into the car with support for up to seven devices -- taking advantage of the same AT&T LTE link, though, still no word on the data service's pricing. We had a peek at an AppShop-equipped Impala and were most impressed with its Vehicle Health app, which shows any issues with your car from "oil health" to tire pressures. Think of it as a usable replacement for the "Check Engine" light seen on most car's dashboards, but rather than simply blinking orange it translates the error into something a tad more user friendly. Aside from car health and warnings the app enables the driver to schedule an appointment for service without having to pick up the phone. For example, by simply selecting your preferred dealership and then clicking on a date in the calendar-like display you're then presented with AM or PM time slots, and available time in either. Chevrolet's AppShop will initially be offered in its Canadian and US MyLink-equipped 2015 model-year Corvette, Impala, Equinox, Volt, Malibu, Silverado and Silverado HD. Follow our tour in the short video below.
Cobra Electronics demos power pack that can jump-start your car
Cobra Electronics is a big player in the automotive world, largely thanks to its line of radar detectors. What a lot of people don't know, however, is that the company has also been dabbling with products that jump-start your car. At this year's CES, Cobra is introducing the JumPack, which it says is a game-changing device for jump-starting -- an odd-sounding statement, no doubt, but we have to agree. The 7,500mAh portable JumPack (CPP 7500) looks suspiciously like your run-of-the-mill external smartphone/tablet charger, and it's the smallest jump-start power pack we've come across. It features a 200A starting current and gets up to a peak current of 400A, which is enough to give your car's battery a few jumps -- given that it only takes three to four hours to recharge, it should be more than enough to manage those unfortunate situations in a lonely parking lot. It also comes with a built-in flashlight as well as USB output (2.1A) in case you want to give your smartphone a power boost. When it makes its way to stores in March or April, you'll be able to pick one up for $130. Sean Cooper contributed to this post.
Audi Connect gets new T-Mobile data plans
If a vehicle outfitted with Audi Connect has found its way into your garage, T-Mobile has a pair of new data plans for you to consider. Dropping $450 nets car owners 30 months of "full data services" to power the infotainment system, which packs features including Google Earth, real-time Sirius XM Traffic info and even WiFi for up to eight devices. Drivers who aren't in the market for such a long term commitment can pony up $30 every month instead. Hit the jump for the full press release from Audi and the UnCarrier.
Fisker puts US workers on furlough to conserve cash
Fisker's cash reserves have been in trouble ever since its Department of Energy loans were frozen, and now its putting its US workforce on furlough to keep money in the bank while it searches for a partner with deep pockets. "This is a common practice, particularly in the automotive industry, to manage costs and operations based on current activity levels and commercial requirements," said Fisker, which has over 200 employees in America, in a statement concerning the unpaid leave. Considering that battery woes and other mishaps have contributed to keeping assembly lines quiet, current activity levels are indeed low. Reuters says the automaker hasn't built a car since July, and it's coming up against a federal loan payment in late April. According to the outlet, Fisker was aiming to partner with Chinese auto companies that could bolster its finances, but talks are said to have crawled to a stop. Regardless, the firm is still on the lookout for an investor to fuel the production of its Atlantic hybrid.
Fisker founder resigns over 'major disagreements' with management
Fisker Automotive founder Henrik Fisker has resigned from his post as the firm's executive chairman. An email said to be sent by Henrik cites several unspecified "major disagreements" with the company's executive management on business strategy as the primary reason for abandoning ship. Reports suggest the decision was sparked by the firm's purported consideration of selling a majority stake to China's Geely Automobile, which would put much-needed cash in its coffers. For its part, the company says that it's strategy hasn't changed, and that it doesn't expect its namesake's departure to have an impact.
RealVNC brings smartphone display mirroring to Panasonic's in-car system
Panasonic's automotive division, also known as the Automotive Systems Company, has just announced a collaboration with RealVNC to replicate your smartphone screen for control on your car's dashboard. The two firms have already worked together on the project for the past year, but have recently stepped it up to include integration of additional technologies like MirrorLink into Panasonic's Display-Audio infotainment system. According to RealVNC's press release, the system has "already been adopted by a major automotive manufacturer" and is currently available as a dealer option, though we're not sure which automaker that is. This isn't the first time RealVNC has explored its automotive potential -- it's partnered with Sony in the past, for example -- but it's certainly a sign that the tech is getting more mainstream. For more on the RealVNC and Panasonic partnership, take a peek at the press release after the break.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: Tesla Model X, Wendy the pavilion and a robot named Baxter
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. It's cold outside, but the cars at this week's North American International Auto Show were positively sizzling -- and Inhabitat sent several writers to report on the latest green cars to be unveiled at the show. Among the standouts at this year's auto show were Acura, which unveiled its sleek new NSX hybrid sports car, and Tesla, which showcased its all-electric Model X. Also on display in Detroit was Cadillac's 2014 ELR extended range EV with its gorgeous new interior. Want to see all the hottest rides from NAIAS 2013? Check out our roundup of the top seven hybrids and EVs from this year's show.
Automatica dongle plugs into cars, downloads audio from Dropbox, podcast feeds and more
If you'd rather not use your cellphone to ferry media to and from your car, Italian firm Inrete is offering a device that'll jack into your auto and discretely suck down fresh audio content from the web. Dubbed Automatica, the dongle plugs into rides outfitted with USB ports and downloads up to 24 hours worth of audio content -- or more with the help of a microSD card -- when it comes into range of an accessible WiFi hotspot. Those inclined to slurp down content while on the move can simply give the hardware internet access with their smartphone's WiFi tethering. Leveraging an online interface, users can customize Automatica's audio sources, which include podcast feeds, Dropbox, Google Drive, Box and SkyDrive. Snagging one of the sticks costs $99 and nets a two-year subscription to the service, but there's no word on how much one of the yearly subscriptions will set users back once the included period ends. Hit the jump for the full press release or tap the source link to pre-order a dongle.
Coda sheds 15 percent of workforce, has reportedly sold fewer than 100 sedans
Despite having shaved off greenbacks from its all-electric sedan's price tag, it appears business isn't going as well as hoped for EV-maker Coda Automotive. After getting word from an anonymous source regarding layoffs at the automaker, Plug In Cars has received a confirmation of the staffing slash from Coda's senior vice president of Government Relations and External Affairs, Forrest Beanum. "CODA has released approximately 50 employees or 15% of our workforce across all functions to streamline our operations and right-size the Company," Beanum said. According to the exec, Coda is committed to continuing development and distribution of its products, and that the measure was an effort to better position the firm for the future. Plug In Cars' anonymous source also made mention of sales, which have reportedly slowed practically to a halt after the auto was was recalled by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in August thanks to safety equipment issues. To make matters worse, it's said that Coda has sold fewer than 100 cars since sales began last spring.
