Audi

Connected cars signal when lights turn green, soon

trafficlighinfosecondsAudi Connect will have the ability to let the driver know when the traffic lights are changing green in select cities. The feature is Audi’s first step in vehicle-to-infrastructure integration. It will be available on some 2017 Audi Q7, A4 and A4 allroad models. A similar feature is already available through BMW apps for BMW models since 2015.

Audi claims a better informed driver means a less stressed driver. They also envision a future where no one sits at red light when there is no cross traffic because cars are connected to smart traffic grids.

Audi of America is working with Traffic Technology Services (TTS) for the V2I technology called Traffic light information.

Traffic light information is an Audi connect PRIME feature. It enables the car to communicate with the infrastructure in select cities and metropolitan areas across the U.S. The car receives real-time signal information from the advanced traffic management system link between vehicle and infrastructure is routed via the on-board LTE data connection and Traffic Technology Services, Inc. servers.

While waiting at a connected traffic light, the driver information system in the instrument cluster, as well as the head-up-display (if equipped), show time remaining until the signal changes to green.

Audi of America will begin to roll out the new Traffic light information as part of its suite of Audi connect PRIME services later this fall in select smart cities and metropolitan areas across the country through 2017 and beyond. The feature is available on 2017 Audi Q7, A4 and A4 allroad models built after JUNE 1st, 2016.

Traffic light information is the latest in a line of connected car services by Audi. In 2010, Audi was the first manufacturer to offer a broadband enabled vehicle. Since then, Audi connect has continued to expanded on its industry-leading services and capabilities. In 2014, Audi was the first manufacture to offer 4G/LTE Broadband connectivity.

Audi claims it is the first to offers such technology. However there is a BMW app that works with BMWs that does something similar, it’s called the EnLighten app.

The EnLighten app plays audio to remind the driver to pay attention just before a red traffic light changes to green. It also counts down to when the light will turn green. The app was developed to help keep drivers to increase driving safety, increase fuel efficiency, and improve the flow of traffic.

Owners of recent-model BMWs equipped with BMW Apps can use enhanced EnLighten features in their vehicle’s center console. The EnLighten  service is currently available in

  • Portland/Eugene, Oregon.
  • Garland, Texas.
  • Most of Utah.
  • Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Walnut Creek and Arcadia, California.

EnLighten announced that yare collaborating with Toyota and Nissan to improve safety and fuel efficiency, by bringing our Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) technologies to their vehicles.

The app receiving data from Pasadena. EnLighten service should begin there in early November.

HARMAN Bang & Olufsen 4 Audi A4

Audi has just released the new and improved Audi A4 Saloon and Audi A4 Avant with optional Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound Systems. The Bang

New Audi tech emergency swerve steering & CarPlay

2015-Audi-A8Audi is gearing up for CES Asia (Shanghai) and released a new video with some interesting demonstrations.

The first noticeable feature seen in the video is CarPlay shown in the Audi with an iPhone connected to the entertainment system. There are also back seat entertainment screen with high speed Internet Wi-Fi hotspots, a digital customized cockpit and a self-driving Audi on a curved highway ramp.

At CES Asia, Chairman Rupert Stadler, Head of Development Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg and Sales Director Luca de Meo will be present a keynote on electronics and megatrends of mobility. Also Audi is showing concept car.

Automotive News reported that there is a new ADAS feature coming from Audi using the powerful zFAS system. The next phase of ADAS safety is that the car is programmed to automatically swerve around an obstacle to avoid collisions.

In order to accomplish such a complicated task, the technology used will have backup systems and sensors in place in case of problems. The new approach will use with the zFAS central controller when it goes into production in two years in the Audi A8.

The zFAS controller incorporates technology form Dephi, NVIDIA Tegra KI and Mobileye.

Audi is also working with leading suppliers such as Bosch, Continental, Valeo and Delphi on the sensors and actuating elements, such as braking and steering systems. Audi wants to develop common standards.

The zFAS electronics board that is about the size of a tablet, is upgradeable and will eventually communicate with the cloud via 4G LTE. The zFas is a central controller while other current driver systems use separate  controllers. zFAS intakes sensor data that the controller uses to compute a view of surroundings and sends the information to different driver assistance systems.

Soon, Audi claims that Audi connect will enable the piloted cars from Audi to also learn continuously as they drive.

An Audi SUV was the first car to drive without a driver across the United States.

The Audi 8 currently can be equipped with adaptive cruise control with stop and go, Audi side assist that alerts when there is vehicle in a blind spot.

This technology is similar to Audi’s swerve technology is Continental’s Emergency Steer Assist (ESA), which automatically brakes and pumps power to the steering torque to help the driver to avoid a collision. TRW developed a similar system with the Technical University of Dortmund. ZF Friedrichshafen AG recently bought TRW. TRW will be incorporated into ZF as a new division called Active & Passive Safety Technology. Hyundai and Nissan are also working on steering assist collision avoidance systems.

It appears that Audi will be making some interesting announcements in Shanghai.