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Microsoft working on cheap and reliable Wi-Fi for cars

Microsoft working on cheap and reliable Wi-Fi for cars

Alex Kaufmann August 28th, 2008 Alex Kaufmann By Alex Kaufmann Author August 28th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Microsoft has teamed with the Universities of Massachusetts and Washington to develop a new wireless internet system designed exclusively for cars. The technology, which is currently being tagged as Vi-Fi (short for Vehicle Wi-Fi), aims to provide motorists and their passengers with cheaper and more accessible internet than current cellular broadband systems used by the likes of Chrysler and BMW. The developers hope to enable users to browse the net on the go without worrying about drop-outs as is the case with current mobile systems. The solution is a new technology called a steady signal, which relies on a series of multiple base stations to provide signals. The moving vehicle selects one base station at a time as a primary reception point, but it also lets other base stations in the system act as auxiliaries at any given moment, reports the Seattle Post. If successful, passengers would be able to access uninterrupted VoIP, streaming television or radio and online shopping. Engineers are still in the testing phase but a trial conducted around the campus of Washington University found the system eliminated nearly all the problems of network drop-outs, allowing for seamless connections with software applications and internet phone calls. The team are now planning to follow up with a more extensive test, however, researchers stress that any commercial application for the technology is still several years away.
Microsoft working on cheap and reliable Wi-Fi for cars

Microsoft working on cheap and reliable Wi-Fi for cars

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Microsoft has teamed with the Universities of Massachusetts and Washington to develop a new wireless internet system designed exclusively for cars. The technology, which is currently being tagged as Vi-Fi (short for Vehicle Wi-Fi), aims to provide motorists and their passengers with cheaper and more accessible internet than current cellular broadband systems used by the likes of Chrysler and BMW.

The developers hope to enable users to browse the net on the go without worrying about drop-outs as is the case with current mobile systems. The solution is a new technology called a steady signal, which relies on a series of multiple base stations to provide signals. The moving vehicle selects one base station at a time as a primary reception point, but it also lets other base stations in the system act as auxiliaries at any given moment, reports the Seattle Post.

If successful, passengers would be able to access uninterrupted VoIP, streaming television or radio and online shopping. Engineers are still in the testing phase but a trial conducted around the campus of Washington University found the system eliminated nearly all the problems of network drop-outs, allowing for seamless connections with software applications and internet phone calls.

The team are now planning to follow up with a more extensive test, however, researchers stress that any commercial application for the technology is still several years away.

Tags: Technical, Gadgets

Posted in: News


Comments (6 total)

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  1. By mlevere1992 #1, Posted: 8/28/2008

    Great, Microsoft will end up running our cars. I just don't want to try and start my car one day and get a BSOD (blue screen of death).

  2. By Gus #2, Posted: 8/28/2008

    I'm just not sure I get the point.
    When I drive, I drive. Then I get out and do stuff.
    If I need to surf the net that badly, I'll get an iPhone, which does so much more, and is portable.
    I guess I'm just old.

  3. By Ralph #3, Posted: 8/28/2008

    Interesting that this article is about Microsoft and the picture shows the Google Search mainpage - if I'm not mistaken the two don't really like eachother too much ;)

  4. By Laz #4, Posted: 8/28/2008

    Gus is right, when we get to a point where jump in our cars and relax while our cars take us to our destinations without having to drive ourselves this technology will not do anything for me!

  5. By DiecastHobbyUSA.com #5, Posted: 8/29/2008

    I think it is a good idea. That's what technology is for. This feature will benefit the passengers more than the driver.

  6. By Tom Mills #6, Posted: 8/31/2008

    Cheap. Reliable. Microsoft.
    One of these things is not like the others, one of these things is not the same...

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