Nvidia and Audi show off "most advanced" in-car technology

[HEXUS]

Including the Virtual Cockpit powered by two NVIDIA Tegra 3 processors.

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[RobbieRoy]

Good that they're allowing upgrades to the cars as technology advances - not like the kit of old that got just that - old!

[kalniel]

Good that they're allowing upgrades to the cars as technology advances - not like the kit of old that got just that - old!

Don't you believe it. They're allowing Audi to upgrade, meaning they can sell you a new model car without having to replace the whole unit. I doubt there will be user-upgrades available, at least, not without a hefty price. (Eg all new A3s have sat nav hardware in place - they charge you £500 just for the SD card data.)

[cart1089]

Spend thirty grand on a car and get a tegra 3? Thanks.

[RobbieRoy]

Don't you believe it. They're allowing Audi to upgrade, meaning they can sell you a new model car without having to replace the whole unit. I doubt there will be user-upgrades available, at least, not without a hefty price. (Eg all new A3s have sat nav hardware in place - they charge you £500 just for the SD card data.)

Fair point!

[Spud1]

Whilst the current (new TT) offering isn't that exciting - its the potential of getting a "good" technology innovator involved that is.

For years and years car infomat systems have been 5+ years behind the times, and its only recently that we've started getting innovative things like heads up displays etc in cars. The fact that most in car sat navs (including BMW/Audi/Jag) are vastly inferior to a £50 tom tom speaks volumes! Personally I think big TFT type screens (as in the new TT) are a bit out of date now and not needed - the new laser HUD systems that are being introduced on cars like the new Jaguar XE is much more exciting and futuristic, and I think thats the direction we'll be heading....HUDs which head more in the holographic direction than big old fashioned screens.

Still the more innovation we have here the better, I must admit that I love my gadgets in my cars. I can't wait for the XE to arrive as it's chock full of toys..crazy impressive for a sub £30k car.

[kalniel]

Still the more innovation we have here the better, I must admit that I love my gadgets in my cars. I can't wait for the XE to arrive as it's chock full of toys..crazy impressive for a sub £30k car.

You're telling me.. I am scrabbling to think of ways to delay a car purchase long enough to nab one second hand..

[cheesemp]

Seems like a nice idea but wouldn't want to own a 10 year old model when a board dies... All this tech is great but the spares market will kill off old cars as how long will nvidia make Tegra 3's for (and no I don't believe you'll be able to 'upgrade' indefinitely...)

[Gh0sty]

From the jag website

"Jaguar InControl Apps allows users to seamlessly access smartphone apps through the vehicle’s Touch-screen, making it easy to do everything from make a conference call, find a parking space or book a hotel room.

And you’ll never be without the internet again as the XE also functions as a Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling multiple devices to connect online where coverage is available.

There’s also an array of advanced driver assistance systems available in the new XE, including the laser Head-Up Display. An industry-first that projects sharp, high-contrast colour images onto the windscreen. The technology provides the driver with information such as speed and navigation instructions with maximum clarity and minimum distraction. "

And most of these things will distract the driver from actually driving the car much like using a phone does! Dont get me wrong Im all for in car technology but stuff thats going to idstract people from driving doesnt help anybody on the roads.

[Spud1]

And most of these things will distract the driver from actually driving the car much like using a phone does! Dont get me wrong Im all for in car technology but stuff thats going to idstract people from driving doesnt help anybody on the roads.

It depends what you use and why - and if you are a driver or passenger The HUD is the key thing for me as that is /less/ distracting that driving with a normal dashboard, as your eyes are always forward on the road rather than down on your dash. It's just like using Google glass when driving only better - genuinely much less distracting and a heck of a lot safer.

Things like the wifi hotspot are really helpful too - not just for passengers but also for connecting your phone to the ICE system to stream music etc. You can up the quality and don't need to mess about with pairing..and it's a huge leap forward for phones that struggle to multi task over bluetooth. Most of the "InControl" stuff is best used the other way - using your phone to control your car. Not James Bond style but more turning on the aircon/heater when you are at your desk, 30 min before you leave, or setting up your playlist before you leave, starting the defrost cycle, checking fuel level before a long drive and so on.

Technology does have the potential to distract - which is why "Video in motion" is justifiably illegal - but it also has the potential to vastly improve the driver experience .

Lease prices with the HUD are coming in around £350/mo for the XE, which is crazy cheap for what it is!

[robhunter3]

Good that they're allowing upgrades to the cars as technology advances - not like the kit of old that got just that - old!

Agreed on that haha