Month: December 2014

WiTricity will offer Rezence demos for connected cars & homes @intlCES

witricityWiTricity, will give CES attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the commercial future of its wireless charging technology. Demos will include a Rezence-ready wireless charging hotspot. There will be Rezence-enabled consumer and automotive demonstrations, and hands-on experience with Prodigy demo units.

WiTricity recently announced the WiTricity A4WP Partner Program and WiT-5000C3 development kit. WiTricity is working with several major brands to propel Rezence adoption and ensure interoperability across applications.

For Automotive EV and in-vehicle charging, WiTricity will show how its technology is used to safely and efficiently charge electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) wirelessly with WiTricity’s “park-and-charge” solution.

The WiTricity A4WP partner program offers essential tools that Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) need to create Rezence-ready solutions.

Toyota will be offering wireless charging of Prius in the 2016 model year.

Bosch heads up displays, telematics, data logs & more car tech @intlCES

BoschdashAt International CES, Bosch will demonstrate connected car tech features such as new control units, software, ADAS, head-up style displays and infotainment systems. The displays show important information either in the cockpit or make it appear like is on the road.

Bosch makes many components in connected cars, many of which will be on display.

Control Units Communicates and Stores Data

Bosch makes a connectivity control unit that connects to the in-car network with  a GMS module for communication and a GPS module. By 2016, Bosch predicts every new long-haul commercial vehicle in Europe and the United States to be offered with a networking solution.
Bosch Software Innovations offers a modular software suite. Bosch’s new telematics services offer an electronic logbook and a theft warning system.

New Displays on Display

Display-based instrument clusters project all of the instrument, navigation, and multimedia information into the driver’s field of vision. These style displays are already in the BMW i8 and the Audi TT.
Bosch will show a head-up display that projects the information on a small special plastic screen below the windshield that makes it look like it is  in front of the vehicle. Since 2014, the system has been installed in a variety of BMW models.

Infotainment Units and Updating

The mySPIN  head unit option integrates Android-based phones as well as iOS-based  there will also be demonstrations natural voice input and a navigation system that offers a proactive driving strategy based on real-time traffic info. Bosch subsidiary ESCRYPT is showcasing a solution for secure wireless software updates.

ADAS Hit the Vegas Strip

A demonstration vehicle feature the Bosch traffic jam assistant. The car can brake, accelerate, and steer within its lane completely independently, while the driver supervises.

Bosch offers camera systems that protect pedestrians. Cameras and automated systems can respond quicker to protect pedestrians, such devices will be required in all 2016 cars in Europe.

Daimler joins GENIVI Alliance, GENIVI @INTLCES

The open-source auto alliance for open source In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) software GENIVI Alliance,  announced that the Daimler Group has joined the Alliance, bringing the number

How to pair Bluetooth with iPhone 5-6+ for GMC and Chevy Cars

bluetoothpairGM’s Stefan Cross demonstrated how to successfully pair Bluetooth with the with Intellilink in-vehicle navigation system on a GMC Canyon for AUTO Connected Car News. If you have another GM vehicle such as Chevy you complete very similar actions for Chevy vehicles, Cadillac systems are a little different.

Here’s how to pair Bluetooth with a GMC vehicle with Intellilink.

  • Go to settings menu, Bluetooth is under Wi-Fi on the iPhone turn Bluetooth on.
  • On the Intellilink screen go to settings, tap Bluetooth pair new device.
  • The iPhone recognizes GMC Intellilink, tap GMC Intellilink.
  • Tap pair on the iPhone.
  • The GMC Intellilnk shows that it has pairing request.
  • Tap yes on the screen.

Once the iPhone is paired with the Intlellilink or Chevy system, it allows to access contacts, Siri eyes free music and more.

You can also set up Bluetooth using your voice:

  1. Press the Push to Talk button, wait for the beep, and say “Bluetooth”.
  2. The system will respond with “Bluetooth Ready”.
  3. Wait for the beep then say “Pair”.
  4. The system will respond with “Please start a search on your Bluetooth phone.
  5. Once the search is complete select “your vehicle” on your phone.”Your phone will either ask to enter a 4 digit code, which is displayed on the radio screen, or to confirm a 6 digit code
  6. The system will prompt you to give a name to your phone.Say a name that best describes your phone (example: Karen’s phone); this name will be used to indicate which phone is connected.
  7. The system will ask you to confirm your name.
  8. If you confirm that name, the system will respond with the message: “iPhone 5s Space Gray has been successfully paired”.

Every time you are in the car, it will automatically pair. You can setup multiple devices then   pick what device you want to pair. Previously, when we checked with Chevy OnStar reps they reported that many users did not have Bluetooth issues. You can call the GM infotainment call center located in the U.S. with trained experts in GM in-vehicle technology. Chevrolet, Buick and GMC customers should call 1.855.4.SUPPORT and Cadillac customers can call 1.855.4.CUE.NOW.

Those readers who are experience Bluetooth issues with iOS 8 and iPhone 5-6+ should note that Cross had not upgraded his iPhone 5S to iOS 8, when we shot the video of the GMC Canyon using Bluetooth and IntelliLink.

Various work-arounds often called the “nuke-it” fixes that sometimes work with in vehicle systems and iOS 8-8.02 problems with iPhone 4S-5-6+.

 If you are having problems with Bluetooth with in-vehicle systems and iOS 8.0-8.2.iPhone 4S/5/5C/5S/6/6+ please let us know in the comments below, be sure to note your make, model and year of your vehicle.

To show your distaste for Apple and the iOS 8 Bluetooth Bungle, you may vote for Apple for the Edsel Yugo Biggest Snafu of 2014 Tech CARS Awards.