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UK to let driverless cars loose on roads by January
Anxious to start... not driving in the UK? Though late to the party, the government has announced that driverless cars will hit the streets in three UK cities starting in January 2015. The Department of Transport also launched a £10 million ($17 million) fund to spur research and reach the deadline. Once the three cities are selected for trials, two different types of self-driving vehicles will be tested: fully autonomous cars with no driver, and self-driving models that can relinquish control to a human pilot. All of that will be laid out in new road laws now being formulated to accommodate such vehicles.
Audi announces CarPlay for 2015
2015 looks like it may be a great year for smartphone integration in cars. On the heels of yesterday's announcements from Hyundai, Honda, and Volvo, German automaker Audi announced plans to support both Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto. In a public statement, Audi board member of Technical Development Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg had this to say: Our customers want to be 'always on' and use the services they know from their smartphones in cars as well," says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG. "In this regard, we are working closely with leading companies like Google and Apple. In the future, customers will be able to use the functions available to them on their smartphones via the operating systems in their cars as well. User friendliness and low distraction are important parameters for integrating these functions. Data security also plays a vital role. We are separating the vehicle-related functions from the infotainment features, thereby securing the data against unauthorized access. The customer has to give express consent for the use of data generated in the vehicle," This news is exciting as it marks the first time Audi has publicly spoken about its relationship with Apple. The company was a founding member of the Google Open Automative Alliance and previously had only announced plans to work with Android integration. Thankfully for iOS users, drivers will now be able to choose which platform they wish to use in their new cars.
Google gives us a simulated ride with Android Auto
Meet Google's answer to Apple's CarPlay: Android Auto. It's a new platform announced today at the annual orgy of software and hardware development known as Google I/O, and it puts the (almost) full power of Android in your car. Why almost? Well, despite the fact that the system leverages your smartphone to power your car's infotainment system, you don't get access to all your apps. It has a limited selection of options that are suitable for use on the road and optimized for an in-dash interface, and I got to see several of them in action in an Audi S3.
Cruise aims to make a self-driving car out of one you already own
We're plummeting headlong into a future of cars that move without us, and you may not have to buy a brand new ride to be a part of it. You see, a startup called Cruise has been showing off a working prototype of its aftermarket RP-1 kit, and it aims to bring self-driving smarts to the car you already have.
Audi's latest hybrid concept car takes the TT family offroad, with 408HP under the hood
Audi's latest prototype packing an E-Tron hybrid drivetrain is this TT Offroad Concept that takes the TT family beyond the coupes and convertibles we're familiar with. Going on display at the Beijing Motor Show, it combines two electric motors (one on each axle) with a 292HP turbocharged combustion engine to produce up to 408 horsepower total. The concept is even quipped with wireless charging tech, making the "plug-in" hybrid possible to charge simply by parking in the right spot. As a result, despite having all that power available, Audi claims it can average up to 123.8 MPG. As Autoblog points out, it shares a number of characteristics with the Allroad Shooting Brake concept Audi showed off at the Detroit Auto Show a few months ago. According to Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, "it shows how we might imagine a new model in the future TT family." So tell us, are you lusting after yet another E-Tron concept, or hoping Audi goes back to the drawing board on this crossover?
Audi competition aims to unlock the potential of connected cars
We've all heard about how connected and self-driving cars from Google, BMW and others are going to change our lives, but how? Audi wants to find out with its Urban Future Award, a four-city, multidisciplinary competition. Each team has a different quest, but all center around the ways that connected cars -- like Audi's "Piloted Driving" model -- can make city transportation better. For example, a Boston group will see if vehicles can take up less space using self-parking features, while in Seoul, researchers will help connected commuters socialize over in-dash displays. The Berlin team will bridge private and public transit for more efficient commuting and, finally, Mexico City's crew will crowdsource traffic data to reduce the city's notorious congestion. Audi will update each project regularly in its blog, with the best plan taking a $140,000 prize.
Audi's in-car LTE starts at $99 for six months of service and 5GB of data
Audi's been talking about its in-car LTE for awhile, but how much it'll cost hasn't been clear until now. A six-month plan with 5GB of data will run $99, while a 30-month plan with 30GB runs $499, both through AT&T. However, you'll snag half-a-year's service absolutely free should you drive off the lot in one of the new A3 sedans equipped with Audi Connect. The German automaker says it plans to roll the feature out to its entire model line this year, which should give quite a few options to choose from if you're in the market. The pricing is a bit steeper than what the outfit's offered before, but the T-Mobile plans were for 3G connectivity -- next-gen infotainment has a need for speed.
Hands-on with Audi's all-digital dash for the 2015 TT and likely home for its Smart Display tablet
Audi's TT, considered by the German maker as its design icon, gets revamped for 2015 and its dash and all-digital cluster made a break from cover at CES. What's immediately apparent when you hop into the curvy leather-wrapped interior setup at the booth is that the traditional center stack is completely absent. All the information that was once viewable by the entire cabin now seems reserved for the driver alone. It's decidedly odd that the front passenger no longer has access to the display so we'd suggest that the mysterious Audi 10.2-inch Smart Display we saw earlier this week will feature prominently in the next TT, possibly as standard equipment. The entire system is simple to use with the 12.3-inch TFT displaying bright colors and easy-to-read fonts. The display features two main modes, including a driving-centric mode where the tach and speedometer are in the foreground; when in navigation mode, they move out to the edges of the screen to offer as much real estate to the maps as possible. The digital dash navigation is done via either steering wheel-mounted controls or the redesigned rotary push-button control mounted on the center tunnel console. A really swish feature of the jog dial sees the top surface of the control act as a touch surface for entering text by scribbling with a finger when required. Now we just need to see the car to wrap around this interior and we'll be all set, but until then, have a look of the video of the next TT's infotainment equipment in action.
CES 2014, Day 2: Five signs you're at the biggest tech show on Earth
It's easy to lose track of yourself in a city as busy as Las Vegas. Between the iconic Strip, the historic downtown casinos and the international trade shows, folks have a habit of waking up without a solid sense of location. We understand, and we're here to help. It just happens to be the second day of CES. Take a deep breath; take a careful look at your surroundings; and see if any of the following five stories sound familiar. If so, there's a good chance you've been doing the trade show shuffle at the Las Vegas Convention Center. If not, well, then you just got fed Engadget's top five stories of CES 2014, day two. Really, it's win-win.
The Audi Smart Display is a 10.2-inch Android tablet that lives in your car
German car manufacturer Audi just pulled the curtains back on its Audi Smart Display, a 10.2-inch Android tablet wrapped in brushed aluminum that lives in your auto. The slate is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 4 chip, boasts crash resistance and the chops to survive temperatures as high as 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit). Of course, drivers aren't the target users for the device; passengers are. The hardware hooks up to vehicles over in-car WiFi and provides folks along for the ride with access to the web, media and navigation systems, and control over the radio, to boot. It's not clear what version of Google's OS it runs or if and when it'll find its way into autos on the road, but expect more details -- and a hands-on -- as CES continues.
Audi's Sport Quattro Laserlight concept officially debuts at CES
Audi teased us with concept drawings of its Sport Quattro Laserlight months ago, and tonight it decided to show off the vehicle in the flesh (or metal and carbon fiber) at CES. Before we wax about the auto's looks, it's important to note the machine's technical details, as they alone inspire a fair bit of awe. The car's titular feature is its headlights, whose laser light can cut through through five football fields of darkness. Aside from the futuristic headlamps, the car's calling card is the combination of electric and gas motors -- the latter of which takes it 90 miles per gallon -- for a whopping 700 horsepower. Simply put, Audi's crafted the Laserlight to look stunning from any angle. From the front, its rectangular beams offer a dose of futurism, and its large grille looks eager to breathe in as much air as possible while tearing through the freeway. From the sides, it's difficult to ignore how the top of the car swoops down into its base, still leaving room for two seats in the rear. From behind, the iconic lights make a return alongside a carbon fiber accent, which can be found as trim in other areas of the hybrid. Of course, there's still no word on price or availability, as the automobile is still in the conceptual stage. To ogle at Audi's Sport Quattro Laserlight yourself, take a peek at the gallery above.
Audi partners with AT&T to introduce in-car LTE in the US (updated)
Audi's in-car LTE capability is finally arriving from across the Atlantic aboard the upcoming 2015 A3 sedans, thanks to the carmaker's partnership with AT&T. When the vehicles, and hence the feature, become available in the US, AT&T's wireless customers will have the option to share their smartphone or tablet data plans with their cars. Owners can use the connection for faster access to Google Earth, Google Street View and web radio stations, as well as to get social media alerts on the Audi connect navigation system. Up to eight passengers (if you can fit that many, anyway) can also take advantage of the long term evolution speeds by using Audi connect as a WiFi hotspot. While the feature's limited to the 2015 A3 family for now, Audi plans to include it on the new and refreshed models bound to come out in the future. Update 01/07/14: For anyone wondering whether Audi's cutting ties with T-Mobile, the carrier's rep reached out and told us that's not the case at all. In fact, the rep said "T-Mobile renewed its relationship as the exclusive supplier of wireless connectivity for the sale of new A8, A6, A7, A4, A5, Q5 and Q7 models" in August 2013.
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.
Google, Audi to announce in-car Android plans next week, says WSJ
Google has big plans to put Android in cars, and will start by announcing a tie-up with Audi at CES 2014 next week, according to the WSJ. Its sources said that Android will power an in-car entertainment system for that automaker, which will run on hardware built directly into the car rather than your smartphone. The collaboration will also involve NVIDIA, and such a system would give you access to the same navigation, entertainment and communication functions available on your handheld device. Audi recently announced LTE for select models, and a recent report from EE Times suggested that Google's had the automotive space squarely in its sights since Apple announced its iOS in the Car initiative supported by BMW, Daimler and others. We'll remain skeptical until we see a product demo, but it would be more surprising if Big G didn't do something with car companies to stymie its arch-foe.
Look at all the Audis you can drive in Forza 5
Forza Motorsport 5 includes a selection of Audis at launch, including the 2012 Audi #1 Audi Sport Team Joest R18 e-tron quattro and others with slightly shorter names. Check out the full list of Audis below.
Driveclub gameplay trailer speeds through the night
This video for Driveclub takes an Audi R8 V10 Plus through the game's nighttime Salar de Surire track. Driveclub will launch with the PS4 on November 15.
Audi's LTE S3 Sportback at European dealers now, 4G A3 hits US next spring
We knew Audi's 4G-enabled rides were coming, but not exactly when. That changes now, as the company has announced that the S3 Sportback is hitting dealer lots in Europe starting today. Us Yanks will have to wait until next spring to use long term evolution speeds with the Audi Connect infotainment system, and even then it'll be in the A3 sedan, not its sportier cousin. According to GigaOM, Europeans can access LTE from any carrier they choose, whereas domestic options remain ambiguous. The German automaker said that stateside, 4G connectivity will most likely be tied to a specific operator, similar to how smartphones are optimized for each carrier. Negotiations as to which "carrier or carriers" will supply mobile broadband are still up in the air too, with an announcement promised for a later date. We'd like to have pricing info then, too.
Daily Roundup: E-Reader buyer's guide, Google blocks Microsoft's YouTube app, Amber update arrives on Lumia devices, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Audi teases 700HP hybrid Quattro Sport e-Tron Concept, A8 Matrix LED lighting
We're still a few weeks out from this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, but that hasn't stopped Audi from showing off concept sketches of its hybrid supercar, the Quattro Sport E-Tron. According to Autoblog, the car will debut at the show sporting a twin-turbo V8 is similar to what's found in the company's RS6, but it has an electric motor bolted on to help it hit 700HP and a 200MPH-plus top speed. Being that it's a hybrid, you can operate solely on battery power, but for only 21.7 miles at a time -- so, if you're looking for something with a little more range, we have a few practical suggestions. Now for news on a model we might be able to actually afford, the A8. Prior to the 2015 model's unveiling, Audi is teasing a few features ahead of time. The A8's exterior lighting got a massive upgrade with the Matrix LED headlamp system, which can auto-dim or shut the highbeams down entirely thanks to a camera that senses other vehicles. Audi didn't neglect the tail lights, either. The turn signals on the luxury sedan now sports 24 LEDs that illuminate sequentially in the direction of the turn, from the inside out. For more info, you'll have to dive into the press release below or check out the model's coming out party on August 21st, right here.
Audi releases interactive augmented reality manual for drivers
If you aren't an auto-savvy person in general, learning what all the switches and lights do in your new car can be a bit overwhelming. Not to mention what happens under the hood. But a company called Metaio has worked in conjunction with Audi to release Audi eKurzinfo, a new augmented reality app for the Audi A3 that takes all the guesswork out of learning about your new car. The app is an interactive augmented reality manual for drivers that can recognize over 300 individual elements of the Audi A3. Users simply launch the app and point the iPhone's camera towards whatever feature they want to learn about. Virtual overlays appear on the iPhone's screen which tell the person, for example, exactly what each indicator light stands for. The driver can pop the hood and point the app at the engine, which will identify all of the engine's components and even tell the user how to replace the cooling fluid, for example. Overall the app is a pretty cool example of how our smartphones can benefit us inside our vehicles -- and anything that lets us replace those horrible vehicle manuals that hide in the glove box is a good thing, too. The Audi eKurzinfo app is a free download, but does require the purchase of an Audi A3.
