Apple | auto connected car news

HUD AR on the way and “wearable for connected cars”

December 9, 2015

We are starting to see more start-ups entering the Head-Up/Augmented Reality and OBD-II device aftermarket. Last week, we learned about Carloudy an OBD-II device and

Heads up for new connected car HUD for everyone: Carloudy for iPhone & Android

December 6, 2015December 4, 2015

Cognitive AI Technologies Inc., is launching Carloudy, a wireless, voice-controlled, automotive head-up display (HUD). The Carloudy shows information on the windshield through a new patented technology. HUD displays on new luxury cars are usually only available in packages that cost a thousand dollars or more, this device is priced comparable to the price of a smartphone or GPS unit.

Carloudy connects to smartphones (Android or iPhone) to display directions, shopping, weather, speed, speed limit and maintenance alerts. Carloudy has a working prototype and is ready for full production. Their PR team will be in San Francisco next week giving demos to tech reporters.

The lightweight Carloudy device weigh less than nine ounces and is about the size of greeting card (approx.: 6.5” x 5” x 0.4”). It rests on a driver’s dashboard.

Through voice commands, drivers interact with Carloudy through their smartphones and have key data displayed on any car’s windshield. Carloudy’s patent-pending design uses the reflective nature of its 6” electronic paper display (EPD) to harvest energy from external light sources – providing a clear, semi-transparent display on the windshield in all conditions (direct sunlight to darkness) without quickly depleting a battery or overheating. Competing products rely on a fan-cooled, energy-intensive projector to show images on a screen than can suck up power and also use the much needed charging port.

Carloudy is controlled by voice commands via Bluetooth on steering wheels—hands and fingers never have to leave the wheel.

“Carloudy fully integrates the driver with his or her car and the outside world by wirelessly connecting Carloudy to a smartphone and to the car’s computer with a Bluetooth OBDII adapter,” explained Javy Kong, Ph.D., founder of Cognitive AI Technologies Inc. “We designed Carloudy so drivers can safely interact with their smartphones and our system while driving. For example, we opted against gesture controls to eliminate distractions and accidental commands. As experts in cognitive science, we focused on the most useful information drivers need, using simple icons and images.”

Carloudy does not enable email, Twitter or texting, which Dr. Kong believes are distractions that put drivers and pedestrians at risk. Other Carloudy features include:

Use with both iOS (4S or later model iPhones) and Android smartphones.
Turn-by-turn navigation.
Works with Bluetooth-enabled audio controls and after-market Bluetooth controllers.
Speed and speed limit; parking and traffic information; gas station and restaurant searches.
Completely silent, with no moving parts.
Battery lasting weeks on a single charge.
One-year warranty and online customer support.
Designed with safety in mind by a Ph.D.-level expert in cognitive artificial intelligence.

HUD systems have been used in military aircraft, and high-performance and luxury cars. But Carloudy makes a HUD system available for any vehicle for an introductory, preorder price of $179 – nearly 40 percent less than several top competing products. Carloudy expects to deliver pre-orders by mid to late February 2016.

This device should not be confused with Navdy which has not been shipped to buyers since its launch announcement in August 2014.

Apple CarPlay update available for Volvo XC90

December 11, 2015December 1, 2015

Volvo has made available updates to Apple CarPlay for the all Volvo XC90 currently being sold. Volvo Car Group announced in March that the all new 2016 Volvo XC90 will offer Apple CarPlay which they call the smarter, safer, more fun way to use iPhones in the car.

Update 12/2/2015 – Jim Nichols from Volvo stated in an email “Apple CarPlay is available to all retailers. All trim levels of the 2016 XC90 are eligible for an update and drivers can schedule a service appointment with their retailer for installation.”

Volvo drivers connect their iPhone in the car with the Lightning connector and Volvo’s on-board touch screen display allows them to intuitively access the iPhone apps they want to use in the car, such as Phone, Maps, Music and Messages, all seamlessly integrated and instantly available.

Volvo’s Sensus Connnect has a large 9″ touchscreen in the center stack that allows for use with gloves.

“Volvo has deeply integrated Apple Car Play in a way that allows drivers to still use most of the vehicles’ infotainment functions while benefiting from the Car Play environment. Applications can be accessed via Siri and drivers can choose to use either the car’s navigation system or maps via Car Play. In addition to the Car Play update, a Pandora application is also available on the XC90, which will allow drivers to use that service directly on the car’s large touchscreen,” said Jim Nichols, technology and product communiation manager, Volvo North America.

CarPlay takes up the bottom half of the screen while the Sensus Connect controls remain available on the top. Siri voice control can be accessed through the voice button on the steering wheel.

Volvo Cars’ infotainment system Sensus, received the ‘Most Innovative HMI System’ at the 2015 Car HMI Concept & Systems conference in Berlin.

Volvo Cars will offer an updated Volvo On Call smart app that can be controlled with an Apple Watch, Android Wear smartwatch, iPad or Windows Phone.

Volvo owners will automatically receive a 4-year subscription to Sirius Traffic and weather information with new Model Year 2015 Volvos with Sensus Connect.

AT&T and Volvo partnered for connected cars in the U.S. and Canada for wireless connectivity.

We have updated our Android Auto and Apple CarPlay chart to show the update from Volvo. Volvo, previously announced that Android Auto would be available, too. We will keep you posted as to when the update is available.

Recently, we were taken for a ride in a Volvo XC90, where, Jim Nichols, technology and product communications manager at Volvo showed how the system works while driving.