High-Tech Toys to Attract Buyers
Bob Keefe of the Cox News Service wrote an article talking about how automakers and their suppliers “aren’t slowing down when it comes to tricking out tomorrow’s rides” says Keefe. In-vehicle technology is “one of the few bright spots in the auto industry.” Two years ago, Ford Motor Co. introduced Sync, which is an on-board computer developed by Microsoft Corp. that gives drivers hands-free access to their cell phone, stereo, and emergency 911 service. Cars with the optional $400 system are outselling comparable models without it by a 2-1 margin, said CEO of Ford, Alan Mulally.
At the International Consumer Electronics Showin Las Vegas and the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this month, car gadgetry played a very important role. Here are a few examples of the different high-tech stuff that is showing up in vehicles these days.
Hyundai and Kia showed their Wi-Fi systemsthat link cars to a wireless home network. In a few years, Hyundai and Kia car owners will be able to wirelessly transfer movies from their home to their car. That’s a fun technological advance for your car!
Ford has already introduced a new tool-tracking system for its pickup trucks. You can stick radio-frequency identification tags on their tools, and antennas in the bed of the truck will sense where the tools are. Ford also showed off a new dashboard touch-screen computer systems that can access the internet and spreadsheets and such. That’s quite fun too!
LG Electronics, Delphi Corp., and others are developing auto receivers that will let car owners pick up local digital TV broadcasts while you are driving. This doesn’t sound very safe to me….. AT&T has unveiled their CruiseCast, which is a satellite TV network that will allow you to get 22 channels, but it costs about $1300 for the dish and $28/month. Still sounds very unsafe…..
So, here are some of the high-tech toys available in your vehicles, but I guarantee that there are many more technological advances to come in the near future.