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BMW Motorrad's neck brace system gets a price
While BMW is no stranger to the motorcycle helmet arena, the Motorrad division has went and gone official with its neck bracing system in the UK. Introduced in November of last year, this safety-minded technology utilizes Kevlar, carbon fiber, and padded foam to create a plate that sits between a rider's shoulders and any helmet in order to "provide optimum protection for the spine during an accident." Due to the materials used in construction, the contraption is both lightweight and rigid, and two side clasps enable rides to easily strap it on similar to a collar. The idea is of course to stop the head from moving too far in any direction whilst in a collision, but the team does state that "the rider is also able to retain freedom of movement needed when driving." The neck brace system is available now at Motorrad dealers for £325 ($648), and while there's no word of a US release just yet, we can't imagine it being too far behind. Another shot after the jump.[Via Autoblog]
Acer, BMW team up for Aspire laptop refresh
There's no need to fix it if nothing's broken, and apparently Acer isn't deviating from the lucrative automotive partnerships anytime soon. While the Ferrari lineup tends to cater to the high-end laptop buyer, the company has now partnered with BMW to provide stylish, automotive-inspired machines to "the average consumer." The team will collaborate to refresh the Aspire series (dubbed Gemstone), and while specifics aren't entirely clear, we do know that users can expect a curvaceous design and a dash of Santa Rosa under the hood. Additionally, the BMW lappies will offer up WiFi, Dolby surround sound, and HDMI, and there was even a hint of a 17-incher and an option for HD DVD. Best of all, it sounds like users will have a choice between an AMD or Intel processor, and although pricing information wasn't divulged, Acer did state that "no premium for the extra design work" would be tacked on.
SmartWeb project to use P2P networks to keep drivers informed
Intelligent roadways are nothing new, as we've seen project after project (and even countries) look at varying ways to keep drivers informed whilst cruising about, but a new rendition showcased at CeBIT is looking to utilize P2P networking in order to spread pertinent information about road hazards to drivers behind the mishap. SmartWeb, which is being coordinated by the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence along with a myriad of other corporations, would allow vehicles to detect hazards (such as an oil slick or road block) and pass the information on to surrounding vehicles in order to hopefully prevent accidents and give motorists ample time to locate a detour. This doesn't mark the first time P2P has been used for the betterment of mankind, and the data would reportedly be conveyed via a "dashboard screen or through a mobile handset," potentially adding yet another distraction to overload our brains while trying to remain between the blinking yellow lines. Of course, those of you with real-time traffic updates are already on top of the game, but we could definitely see this technology being marketable to thrill-seeking cops looking to pinpoint information feeds coming from speeding criminals.
BMW shows off WiFi / cellular-based in-car multimedia system
Among all the new cars unveiled at the recent Geneva motor show, BMW also took the opportunity to show off a little in-car action, letting show-goers take its still-in-development dashboard console for a spin. According to Wired blog Autopia, the system can be loaded up with audio and video content off your PC via WiFi while you're parked in the driveway, or via a cellular link when you're on the road. Unfortunately, they didn't provide many details on the console itself, other than that it boasts 20GB of storage and will apparently be able to record radio content as well. It's also not clear when we might see such a system installed in a future BMW, with the company only saying that it "could" be commercially available within three years, adding that licensing and copyright issues are (not surprisingly) the main things holding it back.[Thanks, Christian]
Omnipotence's "Micky" with free trademark infringement
We don't really know the back story on China's "Omnipotence" brand, but seeing how it's apparently going after the luxury phone segment with a vaguely Vertu-esque logo and resides in a country with a particularly freewheeling attitude toward patent and trademark law, we're already a bit skeptical about the legitimacy of the licensing agreements (or lack thereof) that led to the phone's Disney and BMW (yes, BMW) branding. Nonetheless, there'll only be 130 of the 10 millimeter thick candybars produced, each bearing Disney-themed software goodies (never mind the company's misspelling of "Mickey") and a dubious "Design by BMW in Munich" inscription on the back -- so get yours while the gettin's good. Features include a 1.3 megapixel cam, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD expansion, touch sensitive nav buttons, and some sort of alleged certificate of authenticity from BMW. One point three frickin' megapixels, though? In a so-called luxury phone?[Via electro^plankton]
Germans send data straight from Google Maps to BMWs
Navigation systems have revolutionized the way we get from A to B -- a huge step up from crusty fold-out maps and a "good sense of direction." It's going to get even better now that Google Maps and BMW have joined forces to streamline the data entry process. Instead of printing out or writing down an address to re-enter in the car, the information is sent directly from your computer to your navigation system. German drivers with Drive Assist-equipped BMWs can send any Google Maps Deutschland business listing straight to their cars, either to contact the business once inside, or to set it as a destination. Honestly, it's about friggin' time online maps and automakers made this connection, and we're glad that Google appears ready and eager to expand this service. Check out the video of how it works after the jump. [Via Navigadget, thanks Tim]
VentureOne three-wheeled hybrid does flex-fuel
We most certainly dig where this uber-green three-wheeled vehicle category is going, as just one week after seeing the Silence PT2, we've now learned that Venture Vehicles will be tossing the two-wheeled axle in the rear and calling its rendition the VentureOne. Based around Carver Engineering's tilting technology, this trike is officially classified as a motorcycle, but sports a fully enclosed body, roll-cage construction, airbags and bumpers similar to a standard car. The vehicle will hold three folks, and the company has plans for two plug-in hybrid variations that utilize a flex-fuel approach to barely sip gasoline from the four gallon tank, all while touting 100 miles per gallon and the ability to hit speeds upwards of 100 miles per hour; eventually, Venture is also hoping to release an all-electric breed that can scoot 200 miles before needing a recharge. Although production isn't slated to begin until "late 2008," that should give you enough time to save up a good chunk of the $18,000 (E50 hybrid) to $23,000 (all-electric model) that'll be required to snap one up -- and to acquire a motorcycle license, too.[Via Gizmag]
BMW may offer iPhone integration
The race to accessorize the iPhone is on! According to AppleInsider, BMW may be the first auto manufacturer to include iPhone integration. Without providing any further details, BMW says they'll go "beyond bluetooth" with the iPhone. The 7-Series is the likely model, though there's no official release schedule.
MINI USA rolls out RFID-activated billboards
If there was ever a slick way to get folks to willingly carry around an RFID tag, MINI USA has it all wrapped up. Catering to every person's egotistical side, MINI has begun a pilot advertising campaign in Chicago, New York, Miami, and San Francisco, which gives select Cooper owners the chance to get an RFID keyfob in the mail, and moreover, a reason to consistently drive under MINI billboards. Users can select a custom message to be encoded on their RFID chip, and when they cruise near an overhanging MINI billboard, their particular message lights up for the world (or at least nearby motorists) to see. Of course, we're sure messages will be edited before delivery, and you still need to be down with toting a homing signal around with you each time you cruise, but let's face it, the mastermind behind this ad campaign probably got the raise we all wanted, but didn't come close to. So if you're a MINI owner in one of the four lucky cities, keep a keen eye on that inbox, and word on the street is that MINI USA is planning on hitting up more cities if (read: when) this proves to be a smash hit.[Via Slashdot]
BMW offers up HD Radio in its entire fleet of 2007 vehicles
Yeah, we're still anxious to find out what this bizarre looking thing is too, but BMW is making waves again, and this time it's crowning itself as the first automaker to offer HD Radio receivers as a factory-installed option on its entire fleet of vehicles. Yep, this spring you'll be able to get HD Radio loud and clear without yanking the factory head unit on the 2007 BMW 3-, 5-, 6-, or 7-Series model, as well as the firm's X3, X5, and Z4. The company also noted that its receivers would support HD Radio multicasting, and stated that the option would cost folks a cool $500 if they deem it worthy.
BMW teaser unveils enigmatic do-it-all device
BMW's fairly well known for its nifty in-car implementation of technology, and although certain aspects have received their fair share of criticism, the firm has something brewing that could cause quite a stir -- of course, that would require us to actually know what it is. A snazzy flash website unveils a sleek, continually morphing device that touts the ability to play MP3s, DVDs and CDs, has USB and Bluetooth connectivity options, can recognize voice commands, and has a 65,000 color LCD to boot; but in the end, we're still left to wonder how it relates to the company's vehicles (if at all). Sure, we've seen BMW-branded watches and the like, but it's not exactly usual to see an automaker producing multifaceted consumer electronics, and while it may end up just another technological aspect of a car, it looks like something you just might tote around. Thankfully, we shouldn't have to wait too awfully long until the veil is removed, as it should get official in just a few weeks, but until then, be sure to click on through for a few more glamor shots.[Via Autoblog]
BMW getting supercomputer; iDrive still sucks, though
BMW, one of the world's top auto makers, has decided that it needs an equivalent amount of horsepower for its supercomputers in its Switzerland development center, and thus struck a deal with Intel to purchase the Albert 2, a new supercomputer that works at 12.8 teraflops per second to help crunch numbers for the next generation of BMW engines and cars. That's not the fastest in the world, but it recently ranked 60th on the Top 500 supercomputer list -- a pretty respectable showing. But BMW and Intel are thinking bigger than just one supercomputer, as Intel will also get a huge sponsorship for BMW's Formula 1 cars (pictured), and in exchange the chipmaker will switch up every computer under BMW's roof to Intel-powered machines. Regardless of how fast the Albert 2 is, BMW is going to need to switch into fifth gear if it's really going to present the first Albert 2-designed F1 car, as planned, by January 16.P.S. -Some of us at Engadget do actually love iDrive. We're just playing around, BMW.[Thanks Terry B, via Heise]
BMW Hydrogen 7 is unveiled as first for luxury performance space
While plenty of car manufacturers have been working hard to bring hydrogen-based vehicles to the everyman, it seems BMW has been taking an alternate tact, and instead got bizzy squeezing a hydrogen drive into a 7 Series model. The car's engine can run on either hydrogen or gasoline, and includes tanks for both. You can manage around 124 miles on hydrogen and an additional 311 miles on gasoline, which should cut down on the whole "stranded in the middle of nowhere since there aren't enough hydrogen stations yet" situation. Performance is passable, at 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds, but this ain't no Tesla. The switch between power sources is performed automatically at the push of a button, and the car will be produced in a limited series for selected users, meaning you probably won't even have a shot at one. All the same, it's good to see alterna-fuel vehicles getting so close to reality -- and BMW seems convinced that in reality, the future won't just play host to compact boringcars.
BMW releases first dynamic traffic system in US
At the rate that these newfangled car technologies trickle down, we'll finally be able to afford one of these traffic thingamajiggies on our measly salaries perhaps around the next World Cup. Today, BMW announced that it would be including Real Time Traffic Information on select 2007 models, including the 3-, 5-, and 6-series models, and on the X5, M5 and M6. That means that for the first time in the US (or so the company claims), drivers will be able to dynamically reroute their way home based on traffic data provided by Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network to 44 major American cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, and Orlando. If you already have BMW's navigation system in your ride, this additional service will be free to you for the next four years. [Via Autoblog]
Future BMWs will self-park in your garage
Anyone whose garage is so packed full of junk that getting in and out of the car is nearly impossible will appreciate a new feature set to debut on future BMW models that allows you to stand outside while your Bimmer parks itself (as well as unparks itself, we assume, or this tech wouldn't be very useful). The German manufacturer recently released a video of this self-parking wizardry -- you can catch it by following the Read link -- which shows a happy homeowner simply pushing a button on his keyfob to fire up the motor, retract the side-view mirrors, and send the car on a controlled journey to its home just inches from another luxury ride. The system leverages distance-sensing technology that we've seen before from Mercedes, Toyota, and the like, but requires a reflective lens on the garage wall to operate, which unfortunately precludes its use in public parking lots. Still a pretty useful feature, but if it takes three years to find its way into commercial vehicles as BMW anticipates, we'll probably already have the parking covered with those self-driving models we've been promised.
More cars pull into PGR3's garage [Update 1]
According to the lads at the UK's Official Xbox Magazine, Bizarre Creations is revving up 12 new absurdly beautiful cars for another Project Gotham Racing 3 download (pictured car sadly not included). The Style Pack is likely to release for the princely sum of 400 Microsoft Points ($5), with individual car downloads looking to set you back 60 (75c) points each. The marvelous machines included in the pack are: 365 GTB4 ("Daytona") BMW M3 CSL BMW M6 BMW MINI COOPER S BMW Z8 Chrysler Firepower Concept Ferrari 430 Challenge Gumpert Apollo Coupe 4.2 V8 Mercedes CLK DTM AMG Pagani Zonda F RUF R.K. Spyder Vanwall GPR V12 As with the previous Speed Pack, one car -- the RUF R.K. Spyder -- will be available for free, no doubts as a means to lure you into shelling out your easily purchased points for the full roster. Not a terrible thing to be tricked into, we admit, but we'd rather be given the opportunity to download some more garages. As any playboy millionaire will be quick to remind you, there's not much point in owning a sports car if you're not able to show it off to your equally rich fake friends.[Update: Now with real currency!][Via CVG, thanks smellslikepie! Mmm...pie.]
Becks loses two Bimmers to laptop-toting thieves
For every hundred or so stupid criminals that we feature on these pages, there are a few just as brilliant as their contemporaries are dim: look at the international group of hardware pirates who managed to build their own version of Japan's NEC Corp, or the laptop-toting thieves who succesfully stole not one, but two, of soccer football star David Beckham's BMW X5 SUVs by hacking the keyless-entry systems. In the last six months, the Real Madrid star and Mr. Posh Spice has seen two of his $60,000 vehicles lost to geeky criminals, with the most recent GTA occurring while Becks dined at a mall in Spain. Apparently thieves armed with a particular model's security schematics can jack into the car's PC and run software that dumps out the necessary codes for breaking the encryption, allowing them to unlock the doors, start the engine, and in some cases, even disable built-in tracking devices. Yeah, we're kind of impressed, but let's see these fancy criminals use their high-tech lockpicks to "hack" the cold, hard steel of our "Club LX."[Via Left Lane News]
BMW updates its iPod car kit
Looks like I have to trade in my BMW M5 already (and by "BMW M5," I mean "Saturn VUE"). Earlier this week at the 2006 New York Auto Show, BMW revealed an update to their iPod integration kit. According to Left Lane News, you will be able to access your iPods' playlists, artists, albums, podcasts, and browse genres all from the car's built-in display. The kit will work with all iPods with a dock connector and will be available with the 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series and the M5, starting with the 2007 model year. This is really good news because, you know, owning a BMW isn't nice enough.[Via MacNN]
Garmin's BMW Motorrad III Navigator motorcycle GPS receiver
European bikers will soon be tearing up the continent with a little more direction thanks to Garmin's upcoming BMW Motorrad III Navigator GPS receiver designed specifically for the helmets and leather crowd. Probably also functional on non-BMW motorcycles, the Motorrad III features a 454 x 240 TFT display, birds-eye view mapping, and 500MB of free storage after MapSource City Navigator Europe NT Version 8 is installed. Also on board is a Bluetooth radio, although the poor translation of French site Mobinaute that our intern managed to patch together doesn't make its functionality exactly clear -- we think you can pair it with a Bluetooth headset for hearing the spoken guidance cues inside your helmet, and perhaps like some other Bluetooth-equipped units, it may be possible to have it dial points of interest on your phone as well. Sources indicate that this model should be available sometime this month, but pricing, as is often the case, remains shrouded in mystery.[Via ployer]
