Average age of car 11.4 years and fewer scrapped yearly

2002_honda_civic_coupe_0The combined average age of all light vehicles on the road in the U.S. stayed at at 11.4 years, as of Jan. 1 2014, reported IHS Automotive. It is the oldest cars have stayed since 1995, when the data was first reported.

In 2003, there were cell phones but no iPhones or Android phones.  The older the car, the less connected it will be.  There appears to big market for head units and other connected car features for older model cars. Most people keep their cars an average of six years.

ADAS needed for children in child seats in hot cars, use app or Childminder for now

kars4kidssafeytappIt is awful to learn that people accidentally leave children in cars in the heat during the summer.  In fact, there have been 13 deaths of children this summer being left in cars. Last year more than 40 children died as a result of being left alone in a hot car. However, we live in world of distractions and parents are so overwhelmed they do forget things.  The movie “Home Alone” illustrates how a parent accidentally forgot one kid at home when leaving for vacation.  Given the fact that parents are completely overloaded with responsibilities, the car industry should step up and make sure that no child is ever killed in a hot car again. In the meantime, there are a few solutions to help stop Baby-Forgetting Syndrome.

Toddler, Cooper Harris, was strapped into a car seat and while his father in his air-conditions office in Georgia and he tragically died. No matter what we think about the situation somethings can be done.

Sonata Huyandai ADAS warns, shows blind spots and opens the trunk

hyundai sonata 2015Hyundai Motor America announced pricing for the all-new 2015 Sonata begins at $21,150 that is $300 less than the base model it replaces.

Hyundai notes that the Hyundai offers class-above features for a mid-size sedan such as hands-free phones, Smart Trunk, Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel.

Find gas stations and pay from your connected car demoed

SAPHanaconnectedfuelSAP is working with Toyota and VeriFone for gas pump payments directly from cars. Drivers get notified when gas is low, are directed to a gas station that accepts wireless payments and then can get promos from the filling station such as discounts on smart water or other favorites of the drivers.  The video claims that personal information will not be stolen.  There is a marketplace for geo-location offers for the driver.

SAP aggregates information on a vehicle’s location, route and fuel level as well as points of interest. VeriFone provides point-of-sale (POS) solutions and Toyota ITC provides telematics data.

In connected car face imaging recognizes driver and hand signals for private driving with Mobii

speakdestinationMobile Interior Imaging, or Project Mobii is a joint project from Ford and Intel that could stop car thieves and prevent accidents. The cameras can see gestures to control car functions and smartphone connections.  They can be programmed to keep private information such as contacts private.

Mobii research tested new applications for interior cameras, including driver authentication for improved privacy controls that identify different drivers and automatically adjust features based on an individual’s preferences.

More carmakers play CarPlay including Audi, Dodge & Chrysler

morecarsApple CarPlay will be supported by more carmakers that will offer CarPlay in future model cars. The system will only work with lightning connectors for iPhone 5/c/s.

Audi has announced that it will offer Apple’s CarPlay by next year with 2015 models. CarPlay will integrate with Audi’s built-in controls, the Audi MMI touch system, as well as dial controls and voice controls to  activate Siri. Other carmakers that have been added to the CarPlay list are Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep Mazda and RAM.