piatok 23. decembra 2011

No Car Thief Can Fool This Japanese Car Seat

Even though nothing can prevent someone from smashing your car window, it would be nice to ensure that your entire vehicle could never be stolen right off the street. Anti-theft tracking devices and biometric car starters are a good start, but what if someone actually figures out how to steal your fingerprints and disable the GPS system? The Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology in Tokyo thinks your body weight should do the trick.


Geekosystem relays news and images of a new kind of car seat that can actually recognize the person sitting in it. When someone settles in to take a drive, the seat's various pressure sensors will read the driver's body weight and create a map that matches the exact distribution of their mass. All that data's collected in an external computer, and once the pressure map is properly registered, it acts as the "key" for the car.



So far, the pressurized car seat is about 98 percent accurate, but thanks to the mapping software, someone who weighs the same as the driver shouldn't be able to fool the system so easily. As Geekosystem rightly points out, there's a lot of variables to wonder about here. If the seat locks your body weight in at a specific setting, how will it recognize you under different circumstances?


It's fair to say that no person sits in their car the exact same way every time. And with the pressure sensors in mind, you'll undoubtedly need to empty your back pockets before every drive. Or, suppose that you lose (or gain) enough weight to throw off the sensors, rendering you unable to drive your own vehicle -- will you have to reset the system every time?


[Images via Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology, Geekosystem]


McKinley Noble is a former GamePro staff editor, current technology nerd and eternal mixed martial arts enthusiast. He also likes Japanese sports dramas and soap operas. Follow him on Twitter or just Google his name.


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štvrtok 22. decembra 2011

Cadillac CUE: GM's luxury brand ups the infotainment game [w/video]

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AppId is over the quota

Cadillac's Art and Science design ethos is easily one of the most ambitious in the industry. But Cadillac hasn't kept pace with its competition in a number of areas, including the realm of infotainment. That's set to change when the XTS arrives next year and Cadillac introduces CUE – the Cadillac User Experience.

The all-new navigation, information and multimedia system is making its world debut at the CTIA Wireless show this week, but we've been given a sneak peak ahead of its coming out party in San Diego, CA. From what we've seen, Cadillac hasn't just made a competitive system to battle the likes of BMW's iDrive, Audi's MMI and the (aging) COMAND setup from Mercedes-Benz – CUE portends another shift in how we interact with our cars, how we access information on the go and how we can adapt vehicles to suit our individual needs and tastes. But is it the right direction? Let's take a look.

Serious Hardware

CUE's first application will be inside the 2012 Cadillac XTS, followed shortly thereafter by the ATS and SRX, with every model in the Caddy line-up getting the system by 2015. With that level of adoption, Cadillac has to back it up with some serious hardware, and the bits behind the dash don't disappoint. A three-core, ARM 11 processor that's nearly four-times more powerful than other systems on the market is sure to make tech geeks happy, particularly when it runs a modified version of Linux. The trio of cores – each offering up some 400 MIPS – are tasked with handling both the eight-inch capacitive touchscreen mounted in the center console and the 12.3-inch customizable display behind the steering wheel, with two of the cores adapting to handle voice instructions on the fly. Cadillac is already talking about bringing third-party developers into the mix, and by basing much of the system on Java and HTML5, creating custom-tailored apps or adapting existing programs for CUE should be easy and quick.

Capacitive Screens Finally Come to Cars

Although resistive touchscreens are the norm for most vehicles, in part to their durability, availability and low cost, Cadillac is finally bringing a fully capacitive touchscreen (think iPhone screen) to market. The engineers we spoke with admitted that the barrier to entry was much higher, requiring more time and expertise to get the screen up to automotive grade, but the results – both graphically and interactively – are a clear indication that what's succeeded in the consumer electronics space is on its way to vehicles.

But where Cadillac has upped the game is with its industry-first, proximity-sensing, haptic feedback and multi-touch interface. When the central screen is not being used, elements fade into the background and only appear when the system senses the driver's hand is within eight inches of the screen. That both eliminates a level of distraction and provides the user with the information they need exactly when they need it. The same goes for the haptic feedback setup, which integrates with the capacitive screen to give the user a subtle pulse when selecting a function or what engineers described as a "sandpaper" sensation when scrubbing through a list. And anyone familiar with iOS, Android, WebOS or Windows Phone 7 interfaces will be instantly familiar with the multi-touch capabilities that allow you to swipe, pinch and flick through menus, lists and 3D maps.


Simplified Buttons... We Hope

By utilizing the new screen and its endless configuration options, Caddy has reduced the number of buttons on the steering wheel from around 20 down to four, although that's a bit of a misnomer. Two buttons each control menu selection and volume adjustment, while a directional pad allows users to move up, down, left and right, along with pressing down to make a selection. All those controls are handled on the right spoke of the steering wheel, condensing everything you need into one area.

Additionally, the capacitive technology extends down the center stack to provide controls for volume, power and HVAC settings, and stands to be both less cluttered and more intuitive than systems like MyFord Touch. When the vehicle is off, all the lights fade into the piano black panel, making the stack look like an African mask from the 23rd century. And in a nod to Lord LaHood, the center stack opens electronically to store your mobile phone or MP3 player in a soft touch, custom-molded tray with a blue-lit USB input.


UI First, Engineering Second

Work on CUE started a little over three years ago, with Cadillac designers riding with 32 consumers over a six-month period to study driving habits. Only after key decisions were made on the user interface were engineers allowed to join the party. That's a major shift in how these systems are normally developed and it's a defining factor in how CUE operates and how users interact with the system.

While we wouldn't call the UI achingly attractive, the functionality is there in spades, starting with the applications. The eight-inch screen is customizable, allowing users to change the layout of the core integrated apps (audio, nav, phone, climate, text, OnStar, help and settings) just as you would the home screen of your phone. Further, the most regularly used functions line the bottom of the screen, allowing the driver to swipe through various functions, ranging from a favorite radio station or playlist to live traffic and weather data (including 3D doppler), navigation to a regularly used destination or even movie times. All this negates the need to scroll through endless menus to access what you use most often, allowing the system to serve up the information or feature sets both quickly and easily.

But while the center screen is impressive and the prediction capabilities are long overdue, it's the 12.3-inch screen mounted ahead of the driver we're geeked on the most.

World-First Truly Customizable Instrument Panel

Unlike the digital dash of yesteryear or the attractive, but marginally useful display used on the Jaguar XJ, the CUE's LCD instrument panel is the first truly user-customizable setup.

Drivers can select one of four different displays to suit their needs and driving habits, each with custom-selected elements that spans the spectrum from minimalist to info-overload.

The first layout is a familiar three-gauge display, with a tachometer and speedo, along with engine temperature and fuel level flanking basic music playback information.

The next design is slightly more high-tech, with a numerical speed indicator front and center, cheesy gas pump illustration, tire pressure monitoring display and map, with integrated turn-by-turn navigation instructions.

A third option – more geared towards enthusiasts – includes an enlarged speedometer and tach, fuel gauge, temp readings, TPMS and a 3D animated rendering of the vehicle that highlights performance information.

Finally, there's the grandma setting, which simply consists of speed, fuel level, tire pressure and phone or audio information.

Another element that's currently in development and should make it to production is the ability for a user to swipe a navigation destination or radio element from the center screen to the instrument panel (see it toward the end of the video). Cadillac believes this could be another interesting way to access information beyond voice control, capacitive selection and physical buttons.

Natural Language Speech Recognition

Anyone that's endured most voice command systems knows you've got to memorize exact wording to access certain functionality. Saying "Play artist Kid Cudi" or "Navigate" and then going through each individual dialog to enter an address is both tedious and unintuitive. Cadillac wants to rectify that with a new speech recognition engine.

Instead of speaking contrived strings of words for the computer to recognize, CUE will interpret more natural commands like "I want to listen to 88.5" or "play rock." Navigation entry is just as easy, allowing drivers to simply say the address in one shot without having to break it down into city, state, street and house number. This functionality extends throughout CUE's different elements, and should be even more helpful with app selection and usage.

Apps and Apps

At launch, Cadillac will offer Pandora and Stitcher radio integration, and plans to have another 30 apps available within the first year. In addition to the standard functions and the third-party apps, CUE will also allow users to receive text messages and have them read aloud, although responses will be limited to pre-canned messages.

Of course, CUE will come equipped with all the standard modern infotainment bits, including AM/FM/HD and XM radio, a pair of USB ports, an SD card slot, Bluetooth 3.0 telephony, contact importation and audio streaming, iPod integration and an available BluRay rear seat entertainment system.

While this all looks excellent on paper, we've got at least another few months to see if Cadillac can deliver. Pricing hasn't been set and it hasn't been determined if CUE will be standard on all models, but the team at Cadillac has finally developed a system inside that matches their forward-looking exteriors. That's a massive step in the right direction. Now they just have to execute it.


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Audi Connect now with Google Streetview, Internet radio

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AppId is over the quota
New Audi connect services: Internet radio and Google Street View

In-car reception of over 4,000 internet radio stations worldwide through the new "Audi music stream" app

Audi connect and Google Street View enable new navigation based on true-to-life street visualization

Audi's new "Audi music stream" application lets drivers tune in to international radio stations via the internet. And how about picturing your destination as you drive there? No problem: Just call up real-life images via Street View.

"Audi music stream" introduces a new Audi connect service. This smartphone app lets drivers tune into radio stations via the internet and store them in their Audi infotainment system. A driver's smartphone can be connected to an MMI navigation plus system via WLAN. If there is nothing worthwhile on the radio, just access the phone's music library wirelessly via the MMI, choose a file and play it.

Navigation with Google Earth images and Street View means you can now view high-resolution aerial and satellite images, photos, land formations, streets and their names as well as business information in your car. The system pre-loads data for your selected route and merges them with information from MMI navigation plus. The Bluetooth online car phone's UMTS module makes true-to-life 360° panorama pedestrian's eye-view images available in-car.

Audi connect stands for connected mobility combining all applications and developments linking existing and future Audi models to the internet, to their owner and to the surrounding infrastructure. A built-in UMTS module and a customer's SIM card on board the car integrate online information such as navigation with point-of-interest search, Google Earth images and Street View, weather, news, Audi traffic information online or Audi music stream, directly into Audi's optional MMI navigation plus.

A WLAN hotspot connects mobile devices to the internet from the rear seats while driving or from all seats when the car is stopped. Audi connect thus stands for extraordinary infotainment and entertainment capabilities that raise in-car comfort and fun to a new level.


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Pioneer bringing Siri-like control to the car

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AppId is over the quota

The problem with most voice-recognition systems in modern cars is the stilted, unnatural commands required to execute even the simplest functions. Cadillac is supposedly working on bringing more natural voice commands to market with CUE, but Pioneer and its new Zypr voice-to-cloud platform aims to take it a step further.

Utilizing a tethered smartphone or embedded modem, the new system listens and acts on commands based on conversational direction. Say, "Play some music" and Zypr responses with "Which artist?" or "Which source?" Tell the system "I'm in the mood for Thai" and it will list off the nearest restaurants, provide Yelp ratings and allow you to get directions and email the address to your friends. Facebook and Google integration is also part of the package, and since it's all handled in the cloud, the expansion of sources and options is infinite. And Zypr won't just be limited to cars.

Pioneer wants the technology to find its way into every consumer electronics device on the market (for obvious licensing reasons), and with Apple's Siri functionality on the iPhone 4S putting a new emphasis on natural speech recognition, consumers will be demanding similar tech in almost everything they own within the next few years.


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Want USB control of your in-car music? Don't buy a Galaxy Nexus

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AppId is over the quota

Android owners with a USB-equipped vehicle might not get all the connected benefits of their iPhone-touting friends, but at least they could plug in to access their tunes. Now it seems that Google's latest flagship won't even do that.

Speaking with the throngs on Reddit, Android engineer Dan Morrill confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus can't support USB mass storage. Unlike other Android devices equipped with an SD card, your vehicle's infotainment system would mount your smartphone and recognize it as a drive. That's not the case with the Galaxy Nexus due to a new partition setup.

Thankfully, other devices upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) won't be affected by the issue, so Nexus S owners can sleep soundly. Of course, Bluetooth playback will still be supported, so that long drive to Grandma's house on Turkey Day won't be a tunes-free affair.

Interestingly, one automaker should be immune from the issue: Ford. The automaker's SYNC 1.0 and 2.0 infotainment systems supports MTP (Media Transfer Protocol), which the Galaxy Nexus uses to transfer files with Windows machines. And as you'll recall, Microsoft co-developed SYNC with Ford. However, representatives from Ford haven't been able to confirm if the new Nexus works with their system, and we've yet to receive word from other automakers about the issue.


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OnStar bringing another 4G LTE concept to CES

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AppId is over the quota
OnStar and Cadillac at 2012 Consumer Electronic Show
Two brands to highlight future of in-vehicle entertainment and connectivity

DETROIT – OnStar and Cadillac are showcasing their latest technologies at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show from Jan. 10-13 in Las Vegas.
The two brands will discuss several innovations during a press conference on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 7p.m. in the Casanova ballroom (Room 505) at the Venetian Hotel and Casino.
Cadillac will demonstrate CUE, a comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data. Cadillac will also discuss the research methods behind the creation of CUE.
OnStar will unveil evolutionary research in the 4G LTE cloud connected vehicle space, reveal future expansions in the mobile application arena, and make announcements about OnStar FMV, its aftermarket rearview mirror that contains all of OnStar's key functions for older vehicles.
OnStar will also collaborate with the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network to focus on the in-vehicle experience related to streaming content sharing for all vehicle occupants. The prototype applications demonstrated in a Chevrolet Volt research vehicle include:
- Cloud-based streaming of entertainment and information content throughout the vehicle
- Rear seat infotainment management
- Video chat
Additionally, OnStar has built on its pioneering work with smart grid technology and home connectivity to develop in-vehicle applications centered on energy management:
- OnStar RemoteLink
- Real time Diagnostics and Eco Routing
- Home Energy Management


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