Motor Authority - blog Tag: infotainment

Cars playing music and movies with touch-based interfaces isn't news - but doing it the way Volkswagen is with its new Global Open Infotainment Architecture System (GLORIA) is definitely something different. It's being developed by VW's Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), and it features some truly interesting ideas.

Taking on the likes of Microsoft's Automotive platform, which has spawned Ford's Sync and Fiat's Blue & Me systems, the GLORIA project aims to integrate consumer electronics with the in-car system in a completely modular and upgradeable way.

Based around Intel architecture processors, including the netbook-favorite Atom,... Cars playing music and movies with touch-based interfaces isn't news - but doing it the way Volkswagen is with its new Global Open Infotainment Architecture System (GLORIA) is definitely something different. It's being developed by VW's Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), and it features some truly interesting ideas. Taking on the likes of Microsoft's Automotive platform, which has spawned Ford's Sync and Fiat's Blue & Me systems, the GLORIA project aims to integrate consumer electronics with the in-car system in a completely modular and upgradeable way. Based around Intel architecture processors, including the netbook-favorite Atom, the system can store digital music, handle full 3D navigation (pictured), view photos and videos, plus all the standards like Bluetooth and USB. The lab car has an always-on internet connection and WiFi capability as well. The coolest feature, however, is the gesture-based touchscreen interface, which allows the driver to control the system with swipes across the screen, eliminating the need to look down to find a button or press a specific region of the screen. So far, the GLORIA system is just a prototype testbed, but with all of this in the works, it's only a matter of time before some of these advanced features begin to make their way into production vehicles. The ERL was also responsible for building VW's entry into the 2007 DARPA unmanned vehicle contest, a vehicle developed further with Stanford University and which has now become the 'Junior' project. For more on the GLORIA system, check out the video below.Volkswagen shows off GLORIA advanced infotainment system Read More

Advanced multimedia systems are becoming increasingly central to daily life with modern cars. Especially at the luxury end of the segment, where BMW's iDrive, Mercedes-Benz's COMAND, Lexus's new haptic system with Enform and Audi's MMI all compete for top honors. The latest iteration of Audi's MMI system is now headed to the U.S., and it will make its retail debut in the new Q5.

Like Lexus's haptic interface system and BMW's iDrive, Audi's Generation 3 MMI uses a joystick-like remote input device. The idea seems to be that by placing the control mechanism within easy reach of the driver, the screen itself can be moved closer to the line of... Advanced multimedia systems are becoming increasingly central to daily life with modern cars. Especially at the luxury end of the segment, where BMW's iDrive, Mercedes-Benz's COMAND, Lexus's new haptic system with Enform and Audi's MMI all compete for top honors. The latest iteration of Audi's MMI system is now headed to the U.S., and it will make its retail debut in the new Q5. Like Lexus's haptic interface system and BMW's iDrive, Audi's Generation 3 MMI uses a joystick-like remote input device. The idea seems to be that by placing the control mechanism within easy reach of the driver, the screen itself can be moved closer to the line of sight out the window, improving both the interface and safety of operation. Other new features in the third-gen MMI system include real time traffic information, new 3D map displays, giving perspective to the images on the navigation screen, helping drivers orient their current location and understand what's ahead. Voice input for destinations can be done with whole words rather than spelling out letters as in previous MMI installations, with 'a number of languages' supported. The music and entertainment system is upgraded as well, allowing playback of DVDs with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, MP3, WMA and AAC format CDs and SD cards, plus Audi's Music Interface application for integrating Apple's iPod into the Audi MMI display. The display itself gets upgraded as well, the 7in TFT unit displaying 800x480 pixels with bright backlighting and strong contrast to help keep from washing out in bright sunlight. Up to 10gb of storage space on the internal 40gb hard drive can be used for music storage. All of the computing is handled by a pair of processors - one 800MHz unit for general processing and a 500MHz digital signal processor. This duo enables all of the MMI systems functionality to operate simultaneously - meaning one could, in theory at least, make a call, use voice input for the navigation system and play music all at once. Finally, a 3D graphics processor from nVidia enables the true 3D display of the nav system and accelerates it to ensure rapid, smooth performance. The all-new Q5 will be coming to the U.S. in March, with the Generation 3 MMI system as an optional add-on. Pricing and further details will likely come with the car's retail debut.Audi Q5Audi Generation 3 MMI Read More

Hyundai will soon be joining the likes of Ford and Fiat by offering a new music and information interface developed jointly with software giant Microsoft. To enable that collaboration, the two companies have announced the founding of a dedicated Automotive IT Innovation Centre (AIIC) with the aid of Korea’s Institute for IT Advancement.

Located within Hyundai-Kia's research facilities in Seoul, the AIIC's goal will be to develop new technology such as auto telecommunication, telematics, navigation systems and Location Based Service (LBS), and improving Human Machine Interface (HMI) - the latter being one of the first projects... Hyundai will soon be joining the likes of Ford and Fiat by offering a new music and information interface developed jointly with software giant Microsoft. To enable that collaboration, the two companies have announced the founding of a dedicated Automotive IT Innovation Centre (AIIC) with the aid of Korea’s Institute for IT Advancement. Located within Hyundai-Kia's research facilities in Seoul, the AIIC's goal will be to develop new technology such as auto telecommunication, telematics, navigation systems and Location Based Service (LBS), and improving Human Machine Interface (HMI) - the latter being one of the first projects undertaken, incorporating voice commands with a mobile media system. The new system will debut initially in Hyundai models in North America around 2010 and will eventually filter across to global markets with Europe and Asia to follow soon after. "Microsoft and Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group share a similar vision for the role that information technology will play in connecting people to information, communications, and entertainment while they are in their cars," said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. The first product under the partnership will be a voice-activated control system for linking mobile devices such as a cell phone or MP3 player with a vehicle’s stereo. Eventually the new interface will include multimedia and navigation-related features. There could even be an emergency call function similar to current features from rival telematic systems such as GM’s OnStar. Under the deal, Hyundai will be able to use the system in its own branded vehicles as well as Kia models as early as November, however the first systems won’t arrive until the end of the decade as engineers are working on developing more advanced systems. There's no word on which models will be offered with the feature but it will likely be reserved for more upmarket models such as the upcoming Genesis Coupe. Microsoft is also free to license the software to other carmakers, which means we’re likely to read about similar announcements from rival brands in the coming year. Read More