In spite of the tight economy, use of information technology for In-vehicle entertainment is becoming increasingly popular. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas held this month, technology companies such as Google and Intel and in collaboration with car manufacturers displayed their latest Internet enabled gadgets for the modern cars.
These new in-vehicle gadgets will revolutionize the motoring world, by bringing Internet access to the driver’s seat. Demand for such dashboard innovation is growing steadily; sales of in-vehicle gadgets reached $9.3-billion in 2009.
The new generation of Wi-Fi enabled gadgets, will allow drivers to access the Internet in a very friendly way. While behind the wheels, you can listen to your emails as well as compose voice-activated e-mails, use 3D maps to navigate while other passengers are watching movies, or check up restaurant reviews for your destination.
Ford, for example, unveiled new features for its Sync in-car technology at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics show. Ford showed off how their cars decked out with Internet displays can allow people to use Twitter and Facebook, check movie times, get free maps with street directions and listen to Internet radio from behind the wheel. Ford Sync system can recognize over 1,000 voice commands.
However, there are warnings issued by motoring organizations about using such “infotainment” systems as these systems can distract drivers as they are driving and increase the risk of accidents. Motoring organizations are demanding that such innovative interactive technology works only when the cars are stationary.
Many companies are voluntarily coming up with gadgets which have built-in safety features that would prevent distraction of drivers. For example, software developed by ZoomSafer locks down phone calls and texting when a car hits the speed of 25 km/hr to make the communication safer on the road.
Technorati Tags: cars, in-vehicle gadgets, Ford Sync, infotainment