AUTO Connected Car News announces the winners of the Tech CARS (Technology of Connected Autos Rated Superior) Awards for connected cars and related products or
The autonomous car became ubiquitous after all the buzz at CES, so much so, it was part of a routine on The Tonight Show staring Jimmy Fallon with some very funny pros and cons of self-driving cars.
The routine brings up all the stereotypes of what people do and how they behave in cars and what they will do in self driving cars.
Pro: Ford will make on for customers with small budgets. Con: Lamborghini will make one for customers with small male genitals.
Pro: Not having to steer can free up your hands for other important tasks. Con: You can give people two middle fingers at once!!.
Pro: Asking your car to drive to the place where you and your wife had your first date. Con: Hearing the car respond, “It’s time to move on Gary. She did.” (This one is very similar to the virtual assistant car by KPMG.)
Pro: Watching your car to car turn left after you say, “Take me to Walmart.” Con: Watching your car turn off a bridge after the radio play “Take Me to the River.”
Pro: Hooking up in back seat. Con: Getting a speeding ticket after the car thinks it’s being told to go “Faster! Faster!”
Pro: It’s lead to sweeping changes int he automotive world. Con: “Car and Driver” magazine is now just called “Car.”
Pro: The latest most advanced model is the Audi A7. Con: The earliest models were the “Dodge Deathbox” and “The Toyota Turn Please Turn!” and “Honda Holy Hell Get Me Out of This Thing!”
Because this is a holiday we ask our readers to contribute their own pros and cons of self-driving cars in the comments below. You can also comment on what your favorite feature of self-driving cars will be…
Clarion introduced it news flagship infotainment system the NX605, an all new Double DIN cloud-connected in-dash multimedia and navigation with voice control, smartphone apps, navigation,
Bosch has the parts, technology and timeline ready for self-driving cars. Between CES announcements and Automotive News World Conference, cars with highway pilot will be
Audi announced the 2016 Audi Q7 at the International Auto Show in Detroit which has many state of the art connected car features, such as a new interface, head up display, phone connector box, ADAS, almost autonomous driving packages, new voice controls and 10 inch tablets for back seat passengers.
The user interface has been streamline with haptic feedback. The driver can enter characters on the large touchpad or perform multi-finger gestures to zoom in on the map or scroll through lists. Functions can be accessed using a rotary push button and two rocker switches.
There are new multifunction steering wheels buttons. Depending on the equipment installed, telephone and navigation functions can also be controlled via the steering wheel.
New voice functions understand hundreds of voice command variations are possible for calling and radio and Media
Driver-relevant information is displayed in the new Q7 in a instrument cluster. The 7-inch color display places everything from the current radio station to the navigation map to the display from the optional night vision assistant directly in the field of view.
The optional MMI navigation plus is also available with the Audi virtual cockpit, a 12.3-inch TFT display that presents tack-sharp, painstakingly rendered graphics.
The new Q7 is equipped with the second generation of the modular infotainment platform (MIB) which includes a quad-core T30 processor from Audi’s partner NVIDIA for 3D graphics.
Audi offers various levels of the infotainment modules for the new Q7. The MMI radio plus is standard in Germany. This offers interfaces for external devices such as mobile phones or memory cards.
Displays are shown on a central, 7-inch MMI monitor that rises up from the instrument panel when the system is started.
The high-end infotainment control center is the MMI navigation plus, which has an 8.3-inch monitor.
Another upgrade is Bose sound system with 3D sound and the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 3D sound fascinate even discerning hi-fi users.
The Audi phone box, connects the cell phone to the car’s cellular phone antenna. Inductive charging and wireless smartphone connection will be available as additional functions shortly after the launch of the new Audi Q7.
The Audi smartphone interface brings “Apple Car Play” and “Google Android Auto” on board. If an iOS or Android cellular phone is connected to the USB port (iOS from Version 7.1; Android from Version 5.0 Lollipop).
Buyers have the optional choice of one or two Audi Android tablets with 10.1 inch screen, 32GB of storage, HD cameras, Bluetooth and NFCserve as rear seat monitors. The tablets are temperature-resistant and rugged for crash safety. The Audi tablets are connected to the MMI navigation plus via WiF with access to the radio, media, navigation and car functions of the Audi Q7. For those who are wondering why Germans love tablets in the back seat, it is because many Audi’s have chauffeurs or drivers. The rugged tablet may be strong enough for teenager or kids, too.
MMI navigation plus also includes the module Audi connect, which connects the new Audi Q7 to the Internet via 4G LTE.
Standard ADAS features are the rear parking aid, cruise control, adjustable speed limiter, rest recommendation and Audi pre sense city. At city speeds it warns the driver of impending collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians and will initiate heavy braking in an emergency
Optional ADAS add-ons are bundled in the packages “Parking”, “City” and “Tour”.
“Parking Package”– includes the surround view camera and park assist system, which steers the car backwards into parallel and perpendicular parking spots while the driver applies gas and brakes.
“City Package” – with cross-traffic assist warns the driver of other vehicles when driving slowly in reverse.Trailer assistant for steering of trailers. Audi side assist measurements behind the car to ensure safe lane changes. Audi pre sense rear tensions the seat belts in the event of an impending collision from behind.
“Tour Package” – is the precursor to autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control that keeps the Q7 at the desired distance from the vehicle ahead. It displays the distance when it is deactivated. ACC stop & go including traffic jam assistant, takes over the steering on developed highways if traffic congested and not moving faster than 65 km/h (40.4 mph). Audi active lane assist uses a camera and small steering interventions to help the driver to stay in a lane. Audi pre sense front warns of an impending rear-end collision with the vehicle ahead, tightens the belts and brakes the car autonomously.
Also available as an option is the night vision assistant.
The 2016 Audi Q7 should be available late 2016, pricing has not been announced, yet, Pricing expected to at least $50k or more depending upon the add-on packages which could range from $2,000 -$3,000 each.
At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Verizon announced Verizon Vehicle a connected car roadside assistance service with, telematics, Bluetooth calls for assistance
Chevrolet unveiled the all-new 2016 Volt electric car with and extended range and 50 miles of EV range. It offers greater efficiency and acceleration as
FCA (Fiat/Chrysler Automobiles) announced four new Uconnect services that include Vehicle Finder, Send Destination to Vehicle, a Monthly Vehicle Health Report and Vehicle Health Alert.
