telematics
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Audi's next-generation, Tegra-Powered MMI Touch is coming to Audi A3 first
When it comes to the proliferation of fancy infotainment systems into cars there are two schools of thought. Some, like Ford, believe that these systems should start at the lower range cars and spread across the brand. Other marques, typically higher-end ones, go the other way 'round, and Audi is definitely guilty, launching its MMI on the higher-end sedans and SUVs, like the A8 and Q7. That's changing with the next version of MMI Touch, starting on the (relatively) attainable A3. NVIDIA was quite proud to show off the system, with Tegra providing the power behind the scenes as we saw last year. That means lovely rendering of Google Earth, in 3D no less, and of course responsive performance. According to Autoblog it looks like the system's capacitive touchpad is being integrated into the scroll wheel, which should offer a solid usability improvement. No word on when we'll get to experience it, though, but we wouldn't be surprised to learn more next week in Detroit.
Visteon puts an iPad in a car dashboard, we go hands-on (video)
We happen to think the future of the car dashboard is a gradual path to obsolescence, dying and getting replaced by a mobile device. Visteon also think there's a future for mobile devices in a dash -- but not for actually replacing the car stereo. Visteon showed off its Consumer Electronics Device to Vehicle HMI (human/machine interface), which is basically a stupidly long name for a system enabling device integration of the sort we haven't seen yet. Yes, you can stream tunes through the car's stereo but, more impressively, actually change the channel that it is tuned to. That's just the beginning, with a navigation display and even simplified web browsing, but most impressive is the ability to manage the rest of the car's interior. You can change seat positions, adjust climate controls, and probably much, much more than the semi-functional demo unit we got our hands on can do. There is a dock connector for the iPad but that's just for providing power: the connectivity is entirely wireless, meaning people in the back seat can change the channel -- or push up the seat of the person in front of them. The box that handles all this is going into production soon and so should start showing up in cars sometime over the next year. Which cars? Your guess is as good as ours, as Visteon works with more car marques than it doesn't. %Gallery-113075%
Hyundai announces Blue Link telematics system, makes texting your Sonata a sweet possibility
At the last CES it was Kia showing off its Microsoft-backed Uvo infotainment system. This year Big Poppa Hyundai is taking the reins and showing off Blue Link, which takes at least part of its name from the BLUE-WILL concept hybrid. Blue Link isn't a fancy car, though, rather a new infotainment and telematics system that will be first installed on the Sonata this spring, then coming to the Veloster this summer before hitting all models by 2013. What does it do, you ask? Why, lots of stuff. There's voice recognition, enabling the driver to search for POIs and the like without taking a single hand off the wheel. There's also remote start, which is handy on a cold morning, and even remote disabling of the car via text message, which is handy if you find nothing but an oil stain where you left your prized ride. No word on what if anything Hyundai will charge for Blue Link, but there will be a additional premium tiers of services, like Blue Link Assurance, which sounds a good bit like OnStar to us, and Blue Link Navigation. We'll be getting our hands on with Blue Link soon, but until then you'll have to bide your time reading the PR below.
Mercedes Terminal Mode partnership comes to fruition with internet-connected 2012 C-Class
Last year Nokia made something of a telematics coup, partnering with just about every major European manufacturer and doing everything it could to get its Terminal Mode in-car smartphone integration into more autos. Mercedes was one of those partners and now we're getting a glimpse of the result in the new C-Class. Merc has made some minor exterior updates to the car (not necessarily for the better, in our opinion), but on the inside comes an updated Mercedes COMAND infotainment system that, for the first time, offers full internet access. Using Terminal Mode the car interacts with a smartphone to provide the data, allowing dashboard surfing (while stationary) and the transmission of Google Maps points and directions right to the vehicle. There's also Bluetooth for streaming your tunes through the car's sound system and a USB port in the armrest to keep things charged while you decimate that slab. PR is below if you're looking for more details, or you can just wait for our impressions when we get to Detroit in a few weeks.
ATX In-Vehicle Text-by-Voice reduces the subtleties of your chatter to cold, hard SMS
ATX, a major but rarely heard-of telematics supplier, has become the first to offer full handsfree text messaging. While the Ford Sync already allows the sending of pre-canned missives by voice command, this new system transcribes your messages and is fully voice-operated, freeing both hands for driving. Given the forthcoming ban on regular old button mashing, you could probably do worse than grabbing one of these and continuing your bad habits. It won't be easy though, as ATX doesn't offer retrofits and market leader OnStar has said it won't be offering a competing product, leaving you to choose from among the upcoming models by Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Peugeot, Mercedes, Maybach and Rolls-Royce. Maybe we're just jaded, but we'd rather engage in the lost art of talking to people on our good old Gordon Gekko-styled carphone.[Via Dallas Observer]
Continental telematics safety system alerts drivers of impending hazards
It's fairly safe to say that Continental Automotive Systems isn't the only company out there conjuring up an in-car safety system to alert motorists of impending hazards, and while a certain sect (we jest, we jest) would likely ignore whatever great advice it's sure to give, we can still admire the effort here. Dubbed a "car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure telematics application," the system's goal is to alert drivers in advance of potential perils such as poor traction conditions, an approaching ambulance / emergency vehicle, or a road-block ahead that could induce fits of frustration. The developments are reportedly right in line with the US government's Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Initiative, and we're sure officials are mighty proud of the E-Flare, which provides optical and acoustic warnings coupled with a force-feedback gas pedal, and E-Horn, which accepts incoming warning signals from emergency vehicles and alerts the driver via (presumably distracting) in-cabin lights and sounds. No word just yet on when our next whip will sport a few extra senses, but rather than make things easier on us to control, why not jump straight to autopilot?[Photo courtesy of Continental]
