2009年11月30日星期一

Ways to improve the sound quality of your car audio

The truth is that if you just buy the car with no additional sound accessories, the sound quality of your car stereo system might not be the kind that you would like it to be. There is always room for improvement and the best part about modern technology is that this space is always welcome. This means that with this car audio system that comes with the car if you are satisfied with the performance and want to improve, there are many ways you can decorate your car audio system and you can access your Accessories and sound even better. A big hello from the sound quality of the system is as good as its weakest link.

The first thing to do if you return your car audio system to improve is to replace your existing speakers for the new. The fact is that the car, the manufacturer of your vehicle does not offer the best quality and the immediate improvement that can be said clearly by installing new speakers a big change in sound quality, the show will be produced. Because no matter how big your car audio system may actually be the sound that is played should be finally adopted by the speaker to be heard and this is not the kind of quality, based on your standards, then of course the overall quality of the audio output is poor. Thus, speaker replacement, you will find a world of good to find.

The next thing you or if the new version is the beneficial owner. As the speakers are very important for the kind of sound quality that will hold the key beneficiaries themselves as important to the overall sound quality is good. For better sound with no signs of distorted sound, or even an amplifier, a clear need to change the receiver, which should preferably be a receiver bought from a reputable manufacturer. The brand and quality of the receiver, will certainly impact the market for this type of sound to reach the end. The best receiver is the best option for the display type for the interface that you get the choice of songs is less annoying when driving and the best chance to run the sound from the car. The receiver of good quality can be enhanced by other audio sources, which can use a Car DVD player or radio receiver or something that is connected to the receiver, while the stereo sound makes the car even more flexible.
Another great way to improve sound quality in your car, you should do after this, add an external amplifier.

2009年11月29日星期日

Guangzhou Auto Show, the car future from China

The 2009 Guangzhou Auto Show is the recognition by producers from the worlds of the importance of China on the future of the automobile.

In one example, Volkswagen has revealed that the China of the Tiguan Facelift for local production in February 2010.

Slight changes were made, by cutting around squared-off lines in the grille and front bumper, but is an indication of the seriousness of VW has individual tastes of a new growing market.

The Volkswagen is the biggest foreign car in China, has sold over one million cars in the first three quarters of 2009 with the goal of two million euros in 2018.
Last week announced that it had invested $ 1 billion U.S. dollars in a plant in Dalian in northern China is producing 300,000 DSG gearbox in 2010.

The General Motors has revealed two new vehicles in China than for him.

Standard features include adaptive headlights, parking camera and an electronic stability program and 15-speaker sound system, Car GPS three screens with Car DVD and TV functions.
The XT Excelle is also known as Yinglang come with a choice of three engines 4 cylinder petrol engine and six-speed Auto.

The German concept replaces the outgoing area Excelle, which was developed by Daewoo, and is an attempt aggressive but risky and expensive to raise the image of Buick in China.

And are local manufacturers Changfeng C C known for the SUV, the average passenger car market with the introduction of insight.

Yes, Acumen. The English word means mental acuity and speed of perception.
Changfeng mental acuity based on the Mitsubishi Lancer, was already in sedan and coupe form C, the last part of many data revealed the Evo.

It is available with three engines with 4 cylinders, but production has not stopped until 2011 to start.

The seventh annual Guangzhou Auto Show concluded on November 30.

2009年11月26日星期四

GPS device can track your kids and others

Except Car GPS, in a demonstration of the Buddy Tracker toddler has a green field on a screen is an example of a region, a parent can keep an eye on a child from the GPS.

Especially with the high rate of kidnappings and abductions, now everything is to have a very good thing, said Diana Medina of Best Buy.

The GPS device is made by distinguishing sold to Best Buy. It sends an instant e-mail, text or phone alarm if the person you see in the cards designated for the area.


One idea, Kristin Cathey happy for 6 months Hadley.


But instead of a baby, Sheila Brown, who use their father said, was ho's disease Alzheimer.

My father was my child, my fourth child, and I really want to know where he is, he said.

However, the protection of privacy comes naturally.

I would like to use for my husband, said Cathey.


I do not remember, said Brown. My first concern is the safety of my father.

2009年11月25日星期三

Be careful when vehicle burglaries increase during holidays

Purses, a camera and lots of merchandise are just a few of the items WSBT found in plain sight in cars at Wal-Mart.

"It can take less than a minute for them to take things out of a car," says Lieutenant Tim Williams of the Mishawaka Police Department.
Police say vehicle burglary is a crime of opportunity, and during this time of year there is plenty of that. Shoppers fill their carts with the latest gadgets and trends, and then fill their cars. Criminals know this and all they have to do is wait.
"Usually it is high dollar items. Anything that is easily accessible. If you leave something in your car and they can make off with it, they are going to do that," says Williams.
"We hear about it all the time," says Randy Neville.
Neville works at U.P. Mall, so stories about vehicle break-ins are nothing new. Especially since two years ago, thieves stole from him.
"It is pretty disappointing. I had a Portable DVD player under my seat and they stole my radio and DVD player. So it was very frustrating and very disappointing," says Neville.
The Kilgore Police Department would like to offer the following tips for preventing your vehicle from being burglarized during the holiday season:
Police say there are ways to avoid being a victim: Keep valuables and merchandise out of sight, make a trip home if possible, be on the lookout for suspicious people and report them to store management or police.

— Keep your car locked and, if possible, parked in a well-lighted area at night.
—Do not leave any valuables in your car. If you have to leave valuables in the car lock them in the trunk or hide them. A purse, shopping bags, Car DVD players or Car GPS device, left in your car, in plain view, simply invites the thieves to smash your window and steal them.
—Record serial numbers to any of your electronics and keep them stored in a safe place.

And, of course, police say don't make it easy for criminals. Lock your car. And most thieves will break a window if they see something of value, so make sure they don't.
Police say on average during the holidays they get about five vehicle theft reports a day. They expect that number to skyrocket on Black Friday.

2009年11月24日星期二

GPS alarm seems useless


The alarming security of individual liberty is a Car GPS to their relatives who are vigilant in difficulty, but it seems like the only reliable man in another car whoappears increase to a point nearest to where you look.

The product is distributed to 79.95, but comes in a yellow box of Nice, which promises calm in the pocket.

The idea is to simply slide the switch on the key ring-sized device immediately alert you selected contact. But he can only do so if the application works yours mart phone, which must be removed within ten meters of each other, and were not overwritten by the application itself off.


To be fair, there were only a few accidents, but also to an application that promises to improve security. Even more disturbing was alertsent are still not in a position to succeed, even when functioning well, the very fortunate that it is to create a real emergency.

If you have a real emergency, it should probably someone called in our text processing. This may take some time, however, that we had installed car GPS.SOS a request for $ 20 Windows phones that not only sends GPS information, but also a change in our automated message, if we too busy fighting an attacker to call . Reply

Liberty argues that the device can operate without looking, and in a bag, and it is difficult to compensate by chance. All this is true, but it seems a small problem compared to the need to remain engaged, they will be achieved and the host application runs on a Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Symbian mobile phone all the time guaranteed.The company also says that the GPS is much moresensitive, which is probably true, given the favorable thrown GPS components in most smartphones.

Freedom Personnel Security also provides a function of the vote if the application will be executed if a message is formatted correctly by the contact of the right to trigger a reaction on the ground. It could possibleone be able to convince his children or other significant software installation, although it is difficult to imagine an application on the device would do the same for less money.

But perhaps we are too narrowly focused on the possible applications for the security of personal freedom.

2009年11月22日星期日

Fw: Eonon E1057 Final Review

(This blog is written by an Eonon Car DVD customer, the souce is here: http://link-1111.blogspot.com/2009/11/eonon-e1057-final-review.html. )

Opening statement: Eonon E1057 special car dvd item was never intended to be installed into a Vios, but into my sister's 2007 Yaris Sedan. The Vios has practically the interior ripped out from a Yaris with all the same faceplates, harnesses, fittings and sizes.

Delivery: Very fast delivery to Australia. Item was ordered on the 8th and received on the 14th. Also the tracking number was provided and was sent by DHL (reliability in action)

Connections & First start: The wiring was a dream with the harness being a quick clip with no extra harnesses or material being required. Everything was done pretty quickly and installed without too much strain. Eventually was stressing a bit as pressing the volume button did not start the unit. Eventually realized the SRC button is the power button. (Only one thing the manual was good for) Boot up time doesn't feel like the 40 seconds stated on most Eonon HU's and is pretty fast. Layout of the headunit is great and placed very well. Also looks brilliant even when not installed. [10/10]

Videos and DVDs: Screen quality is GREAT. Practically all DVDs tested so far are playing on this unit. Playing movies is brilliant on this screen with 6.2" not being too small for looking nor too big for the dash. Regardless, there is a tiny bit of grain on the image which pulls the point down by .5. The grain isn't too obvious, but being pedantic, I have to comment. [9.5/10]

Radio & Audio: One word to describe the audio. BRILLIANT. An awesome upgrade from the factory stock headunit, sounding clearer and louder on the stock speakers than before. I have pushed the speakers and haven't got any distortion before we deemed it too loud at 11pm and turned it down. The radio running through the stock antenna is great as well. It picks up channels I didn't even know existed! Elsewards, easy to navigate and use. [10/10]

USB & SD: Quickly syncs track names etc to the HU. Would have been good having the USB connection on the rear and running a hidden cable to a different location. Also the interface when exploring the USB is badly organised. The scroll bar is tiny and hard to navigate around folders and files. [7/10]

Bluetooth: Easy to pair to mobile phones, quick transmission with incoming phone calls. But the microphone is lacking and doesn't pick up much so need to use the microphone on the phone still. [7/10]

GPS: GPS unit was included and is a little bit bulky having to have the GPS box AND a receiver, where it would have been good having the GPS box integrated into the HU and having the blanked out slot at the front as the GPS SD card. Other than that, boot up time for GPS is decent and the interface is great and easy to use (Using PolNav). The GPS is easy to use, high quality and decent at recalculating routes. Also picks up the GPS signal REALLY fast, compared to my handheld GPS unit. [10/10]

TV: To tell the truth, TV was one of the most time consuming and irritating things to configure. The manual has nothing on how to wire it and also looking on the forum didn't have any answers, so by taking assumptions and plugging the one tv cable, you are left with 2 other cables in the end. Tried grounding these and spent hours trying to work it out before giving up and disconnecting the tv antenna. A better explanation would be good and statements for which PAL to use (there is PAL M, I, N, BG etc) I'll give 1 point for atleast having a tv connection. Hopefully I will be able to work out how to wire these connections and the TV segment will work [Incomplete/10 giving a 1/10. Hopefully will rise after getting the connections working]

Manual: Honestly...utterly useless. Unit it simple to use and the manual states alot of "functions and what they do" not really much on trouble shooting, wiring, etc. Also, the english version isn't that good and usually leaves you feeling frustrated of laughing at the lingo. [1/10 for trying]

Installing faceplate + headunit into dash: Using the stock brackets which came with the stock headunit didn't align up with all 4 holes on the headunit, but the main 2 were aligned and those would hold it in place. Attaching the airvents onto the aftermarket faceplate was a little difficult and you always feel like you are going to break something. Eventually fits in perfectly and flush, just like stock (never going to do that again). Installing the faceplate into the dash was the difficult part. It was very twitchy trying to get in and required alot of pushing (clicks easily in place with the stock surround faceplate though) but eventually got everything except the bottom two clips in all the way. There is a slight incline due to the bottom clips not fitting properly and the color is SIMILAR but not 100% but in the end, it still looks like a stock install. [9/10]

Support and Warranty: Brilliant knowing that you have 2 years warranty afterwards incase the item plays up or anything. Live support to Clara was great, friendly, quick to respond and redirected me in the right direction. Email support is a little lacking though, taking an extended time for replies (still waiting on a reply sent 2 weeks ago to ask if the unit will fit into a Yaris...regardless as it will be a little late since it's already bought and installed. Hopefully doesn't take too long for a reply on how to fix the tv antenna) [7/10]


Final score: 71.5/100 and due to increase once Eonon contact me regarding the TV

2009年11月19日星期四

New Road GPS takes control of his car .Road Trips makes it easy?

The endless search for ways to improve our daily trip to the many interesting and unique ideas led. While many are less possible, sometimes it happens and thatjust might be able to make a difference. The Car GPS based Sartre systemmay can join this elite league of automotive innovation.

Sartre, is a shortened version of the train of road safety on the environment and, as the name suggests, based on the use of a large group in supporting the movement of vehicles based on moving efficiently. It begins with the first vehicle withthe which is essentially a prerequisite equipped car or truck, to communicate with other vehicles that can use the system.You drive on the streets and be able to take control of othervehicles with the permission of the driver, of course, and go mainly to the head.

This system will allow a maximum of nine vehicles travel at a relatively constant speed with a relatively short distance between them. If a vehicle is approaching a desired outcome is itsintention the signal and then wait form a small gap. Once the vehicle enough room to get out of Platoon , just take control of his vehicle and leave the highway.

The system is currently being tested in a handful of test tracks in Europe. The test will eventually make its way to the road network, but only after proof of their reliability.

2009年11月17日星期二

The Future is Focus-ed: Ford to Bring 10 Focus Variants to U.S. Over Next Three Years

Jim Farley, Ford’s marketing chief have talked about the future of small cars in the U.S.
Ford Grand C-Max

What are the chances of U.S. success for the Grand C-Max small minivan?
The Mazda 5 has proven that such a vehicle could be very interesting for U.S. customers. During the [2008] escalation of fuel prices and also in August with Cash for Clunkers, Mazda sold more than 2000 a month with virtually no marketing. The number two in-source customer base for that vehicle is Ford customers. Given [the 5's] distribution with no marketing, we could easily double that for a Ford with mass-media marketing. The fact of the matter is that we have a glaring hole in our lineup in the U.S: If you want to buy a three-row Ford and you have $25 grand to spend, there’s nothing to buy.

When I was at Toyota, we sold a lot of minivans, but with an Odyssey, or a Sienna, or even the Korean products, a vehicle with leather and a Car DVD player in the back is at 30 grand. Three-row products in the U.S. are very scarce and they’re very expensive. I think if we do a well-executed car like a Mazda 5 that gets great fuel economy—and if fuel goes where we think it will, priced like it was [in 2008], which is a scenario we see over the next five or six years—we think it’s going to be a really wonderful product for us. Plus, there are also all these people in their 30s who are now starting to have kids and they don’t get hung up on all of the classifications that we do.

I think the future of those upper-body variations of C-segment cars is really our future. What we saw in August was that one out of three vehicles sold in the U.S. was a B- or C-segment vehicle. We saw a similar spike in segmentation the previous summer.

Why C-Max instead of the bigger S-Max that’s sold in Europe?
The fact is that C-Max is a vehicle we are engineering now. S-Max is in the market in Europe today, but until we bring the platforms together between Mondeo and Fusion, we really don’t have the ability to globally manufacture the vehicle where we want to. Part of it is an engineering and manufacturing story, but the biggest motivation is the customer base. Toyota was successful in this country because they bet on the C/D segment and on the upper-body variations of that platform—the Highlander and the Camry, Avalon, Lexus ES and RX, all off the same platform. Ford’s bet is different. When the C/D segment took off, gas was $2.00 a gallon, but we think that with gas at $5.00 a gallon, the C-segment is going to be the most interesting for customers in the U.S. We saw two data points that were really encouraging to us and, frankly, we have a competency in doing these vehicles. In the next three years, we are going to launch 10 versions of the Focus [platform]. I feel that 20 years from now, an Accord or Camry will feel like a late-1970s domestic car and our global products coming to the U.S. will feel a lot like Hondas used to be.

Where does the Fiesta fit in and how are you going to position it and price it relative to Focus?
We want to position the Fiesta as a vehicle with a very different character. The basic personality of Fiesta is very different from Focus or Fit or Yaris. It’s not a commodity product, and we’re not trying to please everyone. It’s a product with a design that tells people you don’t want a washing machine.

People in the U.S. are buying much more expensive B, C, and C/D cars. Look at the transaction price over the past five or six years: Civic is a $20,000 car, Fit is a $16,000 or $17,000 car. The Corolla is a $15,000 car and the Camry is a $17,000 or $18,000 car. The reality is that you don’t have to make a car that’s for everyone. Mazda 3 showed that. If you make a car with a strong personality, there will be a group of people who really appreciate it. And if you combine that unique personality with our dynamics, and our design, and our technology, and you offer specification levels that attract buyers from segments above you, there’s a huge number of downtraders in the U.S. There’s a lot of downsizing going on, not just because of the economy but because of a lot of other reasons, one of which is that the products have got a lot better.

Our take? Well, there’s little doubt that gas prices will go up when the world’s economies start recovering from the funny-money-induced meltdown we’ve just experienced, and future CAFE rules will encourage the purchase of smaller vehicles. But betting on C-segment cars in America is definitely risky in the short term.

As for those 10 Focus-based cars, here’s our best guess as to their future identities: Focus sedan, wagon, three- and five-door hatchbacks, and convertible/coupe; Kuga/Escape and Mercury Mariner small SUVs; C-Max and Grand C-Max mini-minivans; and a Lincoln premium small car, perhaps based on the C concept from the ‘09 Detroit show.

2009年11月12日星期四

Gallery: Top 5 car technologies

CNet has played with a lot of car technology and for the most part has tried them all. Here’s a look at its top rated car technologies.

The back up camera: CNet says: After a century of using a glass mirror to try and not hit things when backing up, rear view cameras are finally becoming common on cars. Essential on SUVs and vans, but also useful on sedans, the image from a back-up camera shows you what you can’t see in the mirror: your rear bumper.

And the image:

The blind spot warning: CNet says: Blind spot warning systems show a warning light on the side view mirror when a car is sitting in your blind spot. When you look at the side mirror to see if it is safe to change lanes, it is very reassuring to have that extra set of eyes that see where you can’t.

And the image:

Car GPS with traffic detours: CNet says: Navigation systems are great, and have become very common. But they are much, much more useful when they can tell you about bad traffic jams ahead, and suggest a detour.


iPod and MP3 integration: CNet says: Good iPod integration lets you plug in the device, then browse your music library on the Car DVD player or Car monitor. You should be able to select music the same way you do on your iPod: by artist, album, genre, playlist, or track.


Bluetooth phone integration with voice command: CNet says: A few companies, Ford, Kia, and Lexus so far, not only have the Bluetooth system copy your phone’s contact list, but also include voice command that lets you place a call merely by saying a name in that contact list.


Hybrid powertrains as an honorable mention: CNet says: We give gas-electric hybrid powertrains an honorable mention here because they offer the best of both worlds: more power and better fuel economy.


2009年11月9日星期一

New 2010 Cadillac DTS review

The 2010 Cadillac DTS is Cadillac's largest vehicle, one that's traditionally been the basis for Presidential limousines and all sorts of "black cars"-from airport transportation to, er, hearses. Nonetheless, it has some retail fans that appreciate its immense room, luxurious interior, and formal styling. With a base price of around $47,000, it's not a competitor for similar sedans from Germany or Japan at all. Instead, the few cross-shoppers who look elsewhere probably will study the Lincoln Town Car and the Chrysler 300.

In keeping with its conservative shape and its old-school seating, the 2010 DTS appeals to buyers who want a large, cushy sedan. The look is formal, but it does wear some of the cues of more recent Cadillacs-like the enormous grille and wreath-and-crest badge. It's angular and not aero-looking in the least, and though it's still reasonably handsome, the DTS is beginning to appear dated. TheCarConnection.com expects the replacement for the DTS-the 2013 XTS-to look significantly more rounded, like Cadillac's Sixteen concept car. Inside the 2010 DTS, the cabin seems fairly modern to the eyes and to the touch. Big gauges are framed by a wood-trimmed steering wheel in some editions, and there's wood trim across the dash and door panels. The tall center stack of controls sports a big touch-screen LCD for navigation and audio functions. Touches of metallic trim glint around the cabin, and in all, the DTS' cabin is distinctly more tasteful than you might expect in the class.

The 4,000-pound DTS is front-wheel-driven and offers a choice of closely related V-8 engines. There's a 275-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 or a 292-horsepower version of the same engine, and both come with an outdated four-speed automatic. They limp along with lower fuel economy as a result; the base version gets 15/23 mpg, while the hearse versions get 12/16 mpg-not that you'll need to care. The 2010 DTS accelerates fairly well in a straight line and responds quickly enough to requests for power, but the lumpy shift quality and the battle between power and weight tends to favor weight. The front-driver doesn't have much torque steer, though. Handling is not the calling card of the DTS; base versions steer adequately and have a well-cushioned, emotionless ride quality. Magnetic Ride Control is standard on luxe versions, and it refines the ride and handling, giving reasonably good responses to the big sedan in spite of a very smooth, softly tuned ride. Still, steering is almost completely without feel, and the big Cadillac has a big, SUV-like turning circle of at least 42 feet. Brakes are smallish 12.7-inch rotors in front and 11.5-inchers in back; 17-inch wheels are standard, while 18-inchers are standard on the top Platinum edition.

The 2010 DTS comes in standard or long-wheelbase editions. The DTS-L stretches eight inches to increase the already vast interior room. The base version offers two bucket seats in front-"bucket" is a loosely defined term here, just like the seat itself-and a floor-mounted shifter. The 2010 DTS can seat five full-size adults comfortably, with plenty of head- and legroom to spare. A six-seater version gets a front bench seat and a column-mounted shifter. In either case, the wide, flat seats are slippery and unsupportive, just a little less so in the five-seat edition. It's retro comfort-plenty of space in all directions, with no urge to pocket passengers in for a fun ride. Trunk room seems a bit small; at 18.8 cubic feet, it's a couple of cubes down on the 2010 Ford Taurus' massive 20-cubic-foot trunk.

Six airbags and a long list of safety systems are standard, including anti-lock brakes, as well as traction and stability control. However, the 2010 Cadillac DTS earns slightly subpar four-star crash ratings from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) for front and side impacts and for rollover. A lane-departure warning system and a blind-spot alert system are options, along with front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control.

For 2010, the DTS remains largely unchanged except for two new colors, new heated mirrors, and an optional rear-seat Car DVD entertainment system. Remote Start is standard; so are AM/FM/CD/XM audio, dual-zone automatic climate control, OnStar, and five-passenger seating with a floor-mounted shifter. Popular options on the DTS are packaged together; there are choices of heated and cooled front seats, XM NavTraffic, a Bose Centerpoint sound system, a sunroof, and rear sunshades.

2009年11月4日星期三

What Do You Want in a Web-Connected Car?

If your car had a fast, always-on Web connection, how would you want to use it?I I wondered about this last night, as I sat in an "LTE Connected Car" promoted by Alcatel-Lucent and other members of the "ng Connect" program.

The car, a modified Toyota, had four screens, one for the driver and three for passengers. Each was running special software that would allow passengers to choose their own entertainment options.

As you would expect, there were driving directions (tied into a GPS) for the driver. And instead of picking your music only from CDs or a local station, you could also use Pandora or another Internet music source.

The LTE Connected Car could let passengers watch videos from YouTube and other Internet sources and buy video on demand. (Thankfully, video would be disabled for the driver when the car was in gear, and passengers in the backseat would hear their audio via Bluetooth headsets, so as not to distract the driver.) And of course, you could surf the Web, checking out the current weather and nearby points of interest, for example.

Representatives at the event said the car could handle four simultaneous HD video streams, and indeed, what I saw looked quite good. The streaming of both audio and video was provided via the LTE standard, a "4G" standard designed for wireless data streaming that nearly every wireless carrier (with the notable exception of Clearwire in this country) as endorsed. LTE hasn't been rolled out yet--Verizon is planning its rollout for the end of next year--so this demo was done with a base station just a few feet away; it wasn't really a test of LTE connectivity but more a demo of what could be done if you assume great connectivity.

The demo was prepared by the ng partners, including Alacatel-Lucent (which makes LTE hardware), QNX Software Systems (which created the basic software), Toyota Motor Sales, Atlantic Records, Chumby, and Kabillion. A real system is years off, though, because it would require a broad rollout of the LTE service, modified cars, and a business model that made sense.

For instance, you'd obviously need to pay for an LTE connection to your car, and it's unclear whether that would be the same service as for your handset. (In this demo, the car became a Wi-FI hot spot, so that may be a way around it, at least for when you are in the car.) Services like video on demand are typically pay services, so they'd probably have to be designed with different price points depending on whether you'd want to rent the movie or buy it; or want it for the car only, or also for your handset, or maybe your TV at home.

A lot depends on what car companies, wireless operators, and content providers choose to offer. But clearly, price and capability will be key. I'm willing to pay for a fast wireless connection to my handset (and my guess is most of the people reading are too), but the car service would provide a bigger screen and features designed for the automotive environment.

And there are services I would like: A bigger screen for Car GPS, real-time traffic, and reliable streaming music over good speakers and Car DVD player are certainly worth something.

2009年11月1日星期日

In The Future, Your Car Will Know All About You

You may think that your Car GPS has a superior attitude now, but imagine if you could see its expression as you take a wrong turn for the seventh time. A new "driving companion" adds a little personality to your directions.

The Affective Intelligent Driving Agent, or AIDA for short, is the result of a collaboration between Audi and MIT to try and find a way to humanize the relationship between nagging automated systems and a frustrated driver... by adding a face to the nagging systems:

A laser projector the size of a deck of cards is mounted inside the head and projects colour graphics to create expressions on its "face". According to Mikey Siegel, part of a team at the MIT Media Lab collaborating with Audi to design AIDA, the versatile neck and face allow the robot to make a wide range of human-like gestures that can send subtle signals to the driver. A downturned face with pleading eyes, for example, indicates that AIDA is "worried" because the driver has failed to buckle the safety belt.

It's not only when seat belts are left unbuckled that it'll plead with you, however; the entire car will help it spy on you to know what mood you're in:

It uses sensors inside and outside the car to pick up clues about the driver's state of mind: grip strength and skin-conductivity sensors in the steering wheel, for example, tell the robot when the driver is tense. AIDA also uses GPS logs of a driver's travels to learn favourite locations and suggest better routes.

Yes, the future of Car GPS is part friendly robot, part driving-centric lie detector. And it's not just Audi who're working on this; according to New Scientist, both Nissan and Pioneer are already working on similar systems.