car
Latest
Integrated Mobile Electronics launches universal iMe Dock for your car
If you're genuinely frustrated with fuzzy (and "dangerous") FM transmitter results, and aren't exactly keen on wiring up a separate connection for each DAP you own, Integrated Mobile Electronics has your solution. In a presumed attempt to alleviate the frustration of priopritary DAP-to-automobile liaisons (and grab the entire market's attention), the startup has unveiled the iMe in-car docking station. The device, like most other hardwired options, will require a good bit of DIY handiwork (and Excedrin Migraine pills), but will apparently channel audio to your sound system and even video to your LCD-equipped whip. The package will reportedly support the Apple iPod / nano, Microsoft Zune (including the unannounced "80GB" version), Creative Zen Vision:M, SanDisk Sansa, and iRiver Clix right out-of-the-box, and even touts the ability to charge your device while docked. While it's being marketed as an end-all solution to your in-car docking station needs, these all-in-one contraptions should certainly be approached with caution -- and while there's no info on pricing or availability, you can see its potential for yourself at the SEMA expo this month.
Motorola launches Bluetooth-enabled T605 handsfree system
With the popularity of handsfree systems on the rise (not to mention the "dangers" of driving with one hand), Motorola is jumping on the bandwagon with its T605 Automotive Music and Handsfree System. After a presumably tricky DIY install in your whip, the T605 automatically syncs with your Bluetooth 2.0-enabled cellphone and utilizes A2DP in order to channel both phone calls and audio from your mobile to your stereo. For cellphones without Bluetooth audio functionality, the T605 module boasts a standard 3.5-millimeter input jack, so tunes from your iPod or DAP-of-choice can stream through your car without the need for a questionably functional FM transmitter. Similar to OEM units, Motorola's device actually pauses the music when it detects an incoming call, and picks up where it left off when your conversation is complete. Although no pricing information is currently available, you'll be hearing more about the T605 system in "the first half of 2007."[Via PhoneScoop]
Gold Kiwi's toy car GPS receiver with Bluetooth
Sure, a GPS receiver designed for in-car use is far from unique, but an actual geo-locator disguised as a car is an entirely different animal. AVing was able to sneak a peek at a new SiRF Star III GPS receiver that throws a unique twist on your more vanilla alternatives. Apparently manufactured under a "Gold Kiwi" moniker, the tiny vehicle also sports Bluetooth capability, but a built-in sound system and handsfree support couldn't be verified. While we have our doubts about these undercover receivers wheeling their way to American shores, you might want to double-check the undercarriage of the next Hot Wheels toy you buy -- unless, of course, you don't mind the far-fetched possibility of bringing an unsolicited tracking device into your home.[Via NaviGadget]
Forget Volkswagen, plug Guitar Hero into your car
Forget that Volkswagen commercial with Slash plugging in his freebie guitar to the car's stereo system to rock out, GNR style ... why not plug in your trusty Guitar Hero controller and live the dream yourself?Like Alex, who tipped us off to his bitchin' 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Sure, it's got all sorts of stuff under the hood that distinguishes it from the Joystiq station wagon (license plate: STIQ-1), but we're far more interested in what's in the trunk. Decked out with an LCD TV, a PS2, Guitar Hero, and two custom painted Guitar Hero axes -- all rigged up to what appears to be a deafening sound system (Joystiq recommends wearing ear plugs while playing Alex's car) -- Alex has created a serious nerd magnet. Car shows are one thing Alex, but you should pull this thing up to a game convention if you want to see real tech lust.[Thanks, Alex]
Sharp develops in-car LCD with 1500:1 contrast ratio
We all know those analog gauges are going the way of the dodo eventually, and Sharp is hoping to accelerate their demise by unveiling an in-car LCD that boasts an unparalleled contrast ratio. While we've seen an LCD instrument panel in the svelte new Mercedes, its utility is still a bit limited; Sharp's rendition, however, touts a 1500:1 contrast ratio -- "triple that of the best alternatives" -- and can produce deep blacks that match up with dark dashboards in addition to displaying full-motion video. The unit has been road-tested to withstand the usual bumps and jerks associated with cruising on (or off) those brutal highways, and can convey a myriad of useful information not possible with those plain ole mounted needles. The 8-inch panel sports an 800 x 480 resolution that shows the typical speedometer, tachometer, and fluid levels, but also packs the ability to queue up navigational maps and backup cameras to keep you on track. While we haven't heard which (if any) automakers are placing bulk orders for these uber-contrasty LCDs, we aren't exactly sure how much good it will do you if the whip ends up driving itself.[Via BornRich]
Renault Twingo concept car goes tech crazy
If you can manage to squeeze yourself and three of your nerdiest buddies into this tiny car, y'all are going to have the one of the most gadget-laden rides ever perpetrated by man. From the pics you can tell the Renault Twingo concept is bristling with iPod docks, and a dashboard mixer puts them all to good use, but there's plenty of other stuff going on here. The car sports USB and Bluetooth connectivity, and each seat gets an audio jack for listening to an independent source, in case the front seat DJ isn't mixing it up well enough. There's also a 15-inch LCD, which is backed by an in-car PC with internet access of some sort. When you open up the hatch, there's some chilled beverages awaiting, and the speaker system points backwards to blast sound into the quickly assembling crowd of Very Cool People that suddenly will want to be your friend. Check out plenty more pics after the break.
Venturi's Eclectic solar / wind-powered car
Forget biodiesel and fuel cell-powered vehicles, how about a whip that doesn't require any fuel whatsoever? The Venturi Eclectic, touted as an "autonomous energy vehicle," gets its charge from wind gusts and 8.2 square feet of solar cells atop its roof. The four-person ride boasts a 22-horsepower purely electric engine, is powered by liquid-cooled NiMH batteries, and can reach a (yawn-inducing) top-end speed of nearly 32mph. While it's no Wrightspeed X1, the designers had "daily driver" in mind when the Ecletic was crafted, but considering it'll only roll 31 miles on a full charge, you best take the scenic (read: sunny) route to work if you're facing a long commute. The car does sport an option to recharge via AC power, should you face darker (and calmer) than expected conditions, but since it weighs just 772 pounds, a foursome shouldn't have too much trouble using the tried and true "push method" if worse comes to worst. Scheduled for production in June 2007, this oh-so-green automombile will run you €24,000 ($30,511) -- if you can manage to score one of the 200 that'll be built, that is.[Via MobileMag]
California to go hands-free in the car
Banning phone use while driving is all the rage these days -- despite evidence suggesting it doesn't help -- and now California's the latest to join the bandwagon. The law, which goes into effect January 1, 2008, requires the use of a hands-free device when chatting behind the wheel, lest some Erik Estrada type pulls you over and slaps you with a $20 fine. Repeat offenders get their fine upped to $50, but apparently has no adverse effect on the driver's insurance premium; we suspect a sizable number of Californians are going to view an occasional $50 chat with a CHiP as more of a price of doing business than a deterrent (but then again, maybe that's the idea). And no, being parked in LA traffic won't count as an exemption.[Via Autoblog]
Solution for broken car interfaces with new iPod software
We don't know how wide-spread this problem is, but I figured if this frustrating complicatioin happened to one user, he probably isn't the only one: SecurityMonkey at the ITtoolbox Blogs posted a tragic story with a happy ending involving Apple's latest iPod software update and factory car interfaces. This dramatic tale of heart-wrenching loss and emotional reuniting with his iPod + car integration kit begins with the software update for is 5G iPod that iTunes 7 requires. Upon connecting his recently updated iPod to the factory Nissan adapter in his car, the display presented the 'No iPod' error message pictured above.Ultimately, SecurityMonkey was able to recover his factory iPod connectivity with the daring attempt of using the Restore function now built into iTunes 7. Granted it's a time-consuming process since it requires re-syncing all the music back onto an iPod (it also erases any data/files on the iPod, so back those up), but upon reuniting his refreshed iPod with his Nissan - their techno-sexy love was once again in full bloom.Again, this is the first report we've seen of issues like this, so we have no idea which iPod models this affects, or which decks and interfaces are experiencing these quirks. If any of y'all run into similar problems, give us the details in this post's comments, or submit a tip via our tips form.
Parrot's NOMAD handsfree kit promises killer sound quality
There's certainly no shortage of Bluetooth handsfree kits designed to keep your hands on the wheel (without necessarily making you safer), but they can be notoriously difficult to use in noisy environments -- like cars, for example. Parrot is showing off its new NOMAD kit, touting the three years of research it allegedly poured into signal processing algorithms to maximize sound quality. The device conveniently clips to a visor and seems portable enough to tote around as a personal speakerphone, offering 10 hours of talk time and over a week of standby. Pricing is unknown, but expect it drop this month.[Via BlueTomorrow]
New Volkswagen Touran sports automatic parking
Joining the lengthening list of automakers giving folks a break when it comes to parking in those tight spots, Volkswagen has announced that its upcoming Touran van will be the company's first vehicle to include ParkAssist. Utilizing those spiffy ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear of the automobile, a control unit determines the available space and best suited trajectory to maneuver the vehicle into a parking spot. "Acoustic and visual displays" help guide the (probably overwhelmed) driver into the correct starting position, and once he / she throws it in reverse, ParkAssist takes over. As the system's name implies, it's not fully autonomous, and the system still requires you to apply acceleration / brakes while it handles the steering end of it. While this may not be as adventurous as riding shotgun in a vehicle on autopilot, the promise of parking within 15 seconds of ParkAssist kicking in is rather impressive, and you can expect this fancy (and likely costly) option to be available beginning June 2007.[Via Gizmag]
Hitachi to offer road-ready Endurastar hard drives
Since vehicles of all flavors are rolling out pre-pimped with such flattering amenities as iPod adapters, high-end navigation systems, and rip-n-go CD players, Hitachi apparently figured now would be an opportunistic time to offer up a few road-ready hard drive options. You're probably quite aware that even the most relaxing Sunday drive is never complete without its fair share of jostling, and the two new Endurastar HDDs are built to withstand all the unique tortures a hard drive may face when being driven daily. According to Hitachi, the N4K50 is designed to operate in temperatures from minus 3 degrees to 158 degrees Fahrenheit, and at altitudes "up to 3,000 meters." The slightly more extreme offering, dubbed J4K50, isn't fazed by heights of up to 5,000 meters, and can shake off that frostbite by spinning at negative 22 degrees, or keep its cool while operating at 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Presumably, a good bit of the stability comes from the fluid dynamic bearings used in the motors, a much more adept alternative to the ball bearings that have become commonplace. Hitachi isn't handing out release dates nor pricing as of yet, but they are stating that both factory and aftermarket options will be available in sizes up to 50GB, so we assume you modders won't waste any time in getting those creative wheels a spinning.
First batch of Tesla Motors electric cars sold out
It wasn't too long ago that Tesla Motors had its (admittedly glamorous) unveiling of the forthcoming Tesla Roadster -- you know, the 130-miles per hour battery powered whip that rolls 250 miles on a single charge. While it can't be too shocking to see a few celebrities here and there plop down unspeakable amounts of coin to get their hands on something new, don't tell Tesla that the reaction to its creation is surprising. Less than a month after this extra-green automobile hit the pre-order market, all 100 that were offered up are now claimed. Just doing simple calculations, we're seeing a company that went from next to nil in terms of sales to $10 million in capital quicker than a shipment of crude oil could hit the American shores. Martin Eberhard, the CEO of Tesla Motors, reported that "all 100 are gone," which means those hundred highfaluting individuals that have paid the $100,000 deposit have guaranteed themselves one of the first Roadsters off the production line in 2007. While the buyers may end up paying more than the deposit price when taking delivery, it's fairly unlikely they'll see any partial refunds if the MSRP somehow clocks in under 100 grand (considering the apparent popularity), and we've heard that both of Google's co-founders, as well as eBay's Jeff Skoll, have thrown down for the seemingly coveted ride. There's no word on when Tesla plans to re-open its bank account for the next wave of orders, but if such an opportunity does arise, you should probably call dibs with some level of haste if you plan on shunning those costly fuel pumps next year.
Siemens VDO shows off eCorner motor-in-hub concept
We've seen various implementations of all these assorted next-gen car technologies that Siemens got ahold of for their new eCorner system, but they've managed to squeeze them all into a single wheel, creating quite an interesting system for use with fuel cell or hybrid cars. First off, there's an electronic motor integrated into the wheel hub, allowing for more efficient power use and independent rotation from the rest of the car. Next up is an active suspension system and Siemens' very own electronic wedge brake (EWB). Finally, the independent steer-by-wire function built into the wheel allows for some very interesting maneuverability. Siemens expect cars that would use such functionality to be common in 15 years or so, but we hope we don't have to wait that long for all the fun and power savings this system promises.[Via Autoblog]
TruScene TS-1L keeps watch over your vehicle
If you've ever been the victim of a hit and run, particularly one where you weren't there to see it happen, you'll immediately appreciate the TruScene TS-1L. This in-car camera can be mounted on the front or rear (or both) of your ride and comes with a drop-down LCD to get things aligned and installed correctly the first go 'round. This eagle-eyed camera keeps a constant watch on what's happening around your vehicle when you're not there to bear witness, so you have a license plate and mug shot of the screeching bandit should an accident occur while you're away. The TS-1L constantly records 30 second loops of footage where non-essential clips (i.e. periods where nothing happens) are deleted to make room for the next clip. If someone jolts your whip by, say, ramming into you or clipping your side mirror, TruScene saves the recording, encrypts it, and stamps a digital watermark on it for later use. The video can be used for insurance or court purposes by uploading the file to TruScene's database where it's properly decrypted for playback. The seriousness of this device carries right over to the pricetag, so we'd recommend having a vehicle truly worth protecting -- and make sure your deductible is over a grand to begin with, because the peace of mind provided by the TS-1L requires $1,000 out of pocket. [Via OhGizmo]
Saab goes double-green with biofuel hybrid
Not a whole lot of details to be getting on with here, but Saab has confirmed that they have plans to produce a vehicle based on their Bio Power Hybrid concept currently showing at the British International Motor Show. The vehicle combines the potential of E85, a fuel blend with 85% bioethanol from plants, with the further emissions reducing, power increasing and cost reducing perks of an electric motor. The hybrid's batteries replace the spare tire compartment in the car's trunk, and since the Bio Power Hybrid uses run-flat tires, there's essentially nothing lost in the trade-off. Saab's Bio Power models have been especially successful in Saab's home market of Sweden, mainly thanks to the large tax breaks they entail, but even while promising a hybrid within the next few years, Saab is clear that the feature won't come cheap.[Via MetaEfficient]
Toy car controlled by breathing
While controlling a full-sized automobile with a PSP may be impressive, at least this project has some amount of practicality. Musicians and singers, listen up, because this breathing-controlled car could provide the perfect mix of practice and pleasure to get your controlled breathing, well, under control. Even if you couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, Matthew Brown's creation gives you a chance to have some fun while blowing off some steam. The aptly named "Breath Control Car" was designed to make the mastery of controlled breathing a bit more enjoyable, and he pulls it off by using a MIDI breath controller to channel puffs to a MAX/MSP. MIDI signals are converted to serial data, where those signals are beamed via Bluetooth to a PIC chip, and finally to a servo that directs the car. If all that sounds like hot air, here's the deal: the harder you exhale, the harder it steers right, while softer breaths steer it left. The forward and reverse functions are handled by a simple remote-control, presumably to avoid hyperventilation. If you've been tooting your horn about getting serious with your breathing, but need a more riveting reason to practice, watch this machine in action to see what Matthew's breath car can do for you. [Via Makezine]
Sony's MEX-BT5000 car stereo with Bluetooth
Being the mass transit junkies that we are, we don't spend a lot of time in cars, flying or otherwise, but we know many of you hit the highways each day, so we're presenting to you Sony's new Bluetooth-enabled head unit. The MEX-BT5000 acts as a hands free kit for any Bluetooth phone (although we're sure they'd prefer if it was one of their own), giving you access to up to 50 of your contacts and six of your speed dial entries through its "high resolution" screen and integrated noise-reducing micophone.Once you're done risking everyone's life talking on the phone, fire up your Bluetooth-equipped DAP -- or just stick in a CD -- and you can stream high-fidelity audio throughout your ride, while checking out on-screen track info and navigating your music with the wireless remote. Sure, this isn't the first time we've seen most of these features jammed into a head unit, and at $400, it's still not the cheapest, but we thought it might help hold you over until the CD-ripping 2007 Infinity G35 starts showing up on sketchy used car lots.
Blu-ray on the go?
Your next automobile purchase may have an option for not just the DVD players available in so many cars today, but a Blu-ray player. That's what Panasonic had to say to Technoride, they expect to be able to sell a ruggedized player with the capability to read Blu-ray discs in the next year. While they won't be adding 1080p screen resolution to a 7-inch display, this way people can bring along their new Blu-ray discs (since there won't be any Blu-ray/DVD hybrid discs) on trips without buying additional DVD copies, or they can burn large amounts of SD content onto a single Blu-ray disc. All the same, 2007 might be the year when that Escalade on 22-inch rims in front of you sports a Blu-ray sticker on the bumper.[Via Autoblog]
LaBiche's FSC-1TM flying sports car looks lamer than it sounds
Alright, maybe we're just turned off by the totally sketchy concept renders, but we were really hoping the car of the future would look a bit better than some high schooler's CAD project. All the same, LaBiche's claims that "A real Flying Car is finally here!" have piqued our interest, and we're pleased to hear that this FSC-1TM flying sports car thing should be able to hit an airspeed in excess of 275 mph, not bad at all for a pair of retractable wings. So far the most testing this thing has gotten is in the X-Plane flight simulator software, and in a 1/10th scale model plane prototype. A full-size mockup is in the works, and apparently they're all ready to take your money for a $175,000 build-it-yourself kit, but we're guessing it'll be a few years until someone is foolhardy enough to try and get the real deal off the ground.[Via The Raw Feed]
