ADAS

Audi Q7 – packed with connected car tech: ADAS, CarPlay, Android Auto, tablet, LTE & phone box

Audi Back Seat Tablet
Audi Q7 Back Seat Tablet

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.

audivirtualcockpitThe 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.

Audiq7carPlayThe 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.

Rearview Mirror Unit with LTE & Wi-Fi Hotspots coming from Pioneer

Pioneerrearviewmirror2Pioneer announced that it has developed a rearview mirror telematics unit with LTE that it claims will be first in the Japanese market to utilize cloud services. It appears this could be a great aftermarket technology for those who want to connect a rear view camera and GPS with Wi-Fi hotspots and use voice commands.

Safer Cars with Seeing Machines to Stop Distracted Connected Cars

seeingdrivingIf there were people watching you in your car they would see if your eyes were not on the road, if you were sleeping and if you are incapacitated.  Soon some sources claim GM Chevy, Cadillac owners will have a friend seeing what they are doing to help them drive. Seeing Machines’ eye tracking systems using Takata hardware.

Seeing Machines is an Aussie tech company that uses Takata safety equipment. In a press release on Monday stated that Seeing Machines has an agreement with Takata and that the partnership has signed a contract to deliver the first ever mass-manufactured implementation of a driver-monitoring for a “Major Global Automotive Manufacturer.“

Volvo testing self driving, autonomous cars at AstaZero

volvotaVolvo has opened AstaZero as a test site for traffic safety solutions, in the hopes that by by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car. Volvo has been working with magnets that can be sensed in the snow. The Volvo XC90 has advanced run-off road/brake at intersection and AT&T 4G LTE. Volvo also tests autonomous cars in Gothenburg.

Volvo plans development of active safety systems, to prevent accidents with AstaZero as the premiere proving ground, near Volvo Cars headquarters in western Sweden.

Seats to sense you in connected cars may keep you alert or send for help

sensorseatYour driver’s seat may sense that you are drowsy and falling asleep are being developed by Nottingham Trent University researchers.

Professor Tilak Dias and William Hurley of the University’s Advanced Textile Research Group with Plessey are working to integrate an Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors directly into the fabric of car seats.

Volvo XC90 super safe with first run-off road and brake at intersection

volvocx90Volvo claims that the all-new XC90 – due in August – will offer the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry with run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability.

Run-off road happens due to driver distraction, fatigue or poor weather conditions. Safe Positioning in a run-off road scenario, detects what is happening and the front safety belts are tightened to keep the occupants in position. The belts are firmly tightened as long as the car is in motion.

Freescale scales ADAS solution for faster development

ADAS-APPLICATIONS-BDFreescale is working  with Neusoft and Green Hills Software for a comprehensive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) ecosystem to speed up the process of developing ADAS vision systems such as pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, collision avoidance and other advanced ADAS capabilities.

They are developed turnkey solutions that address stringent protocols for automotive safety, and are compliant with the ISO 26262 functional safety standard.

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.

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.