Filed under: Gadgets, Volkswagen
Video: Demo of VW's Gypsy in-car PC concept
CNET has a video demo of the Gypsy
software interface developed by Volkswagen's Electronic Research Laboratory in California. The Gypsy concept uses a PC
platform as the integrating device for a variety of in-car functions, ranging from audio entertainment to navigation
with Google Earth.While the demo shows off the ease with which a Gypsy-equipped Passat interfaces with iPods and SmartPhones, perhaps the most interesting aspect of the design is its "extensibility," software engineering-speak for the ability to add new functions to the system. Vw's Gypsy adds new functionality by simply installing (by wireless download, for example) software plug-ins called widgets.
[CNET via CarHacks and Gear Live]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
albeik 4:50PM (3/22/2006)
The video is not working for me for some reason! It gets stuck... anyone else seeing this? I saw it on Digg as well -- so it could be hammered!
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AES 4:55PM (3/22/2006)
Please VW, just don't install Windows on cars. Lest "extensibility" become a fancy word for being virus-prone.
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freestufftimes.com 5:03PM (3/22/2006)
Very cool, but why do I need to send someone a message that I am driving? A lot of the features do seem cool though, but maybe a bit too complicated for tha average person.
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JS 5:25PM (3/22/2006)
umm two words come to mind "FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!" although the video didnt quite make a whole lot of sense to the average person (like texting while driving...why not just use the bluetooth to override the cars speakers and call that person instead and have both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road). But things that did make sense were connecting to home devices (the iron example was pretty cool) and also the ipod dock that was integrated into the dash.
I really hope to see more of this in the coming months and years because by the time I buy a new car this will be pretty mainstream and stable. Oh, and there are a few drawback it seems. 1) have to have web enabled phone, otherwise no connecting outside the car and 2) the vulnerablity to virus attacks which could have very damaging effects (think of car shutting down because a virus infected the car while driving it). There is also a small problem with wireless carriers and since you have to have a phone to connect out it makes it very interesting on the wireless infrastructure to carry all that data from phones, cars, homes, etc... so we may need to address that before a full roll out comes. Otherwise, keep it up VW i may be pursueded to buy a Jetta afterall ;-)
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lol no BSOD 5:28PM (3/22/2006)
im 99% sure they are using Mac OS.
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Evan 8:16PM (3/22/2006)
The features are cool but proprietary in-car platforms are just the wrong direction. Someone needs to introduce these guys to http://streetdeck.com/
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mavkato 8:56AM (3/23/2006)
Don't VWs have enough electrical problems without adding a freakin computer to the mix?
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Puff Chippy 9:57AM (3/23/2006)
A VW computer? Oh the humanity. Maybe they should get basic engine management and other car electronics to work correctly before branching out into the more complex and superfluous stuff.
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Camron 10:59AM (3/23/2006)
I like it and want it now. I think some of the features like email and such are not really for the driver as it is for the passenger. I send txt messages all the time when I drive. Sometimes people contact me via txt because they are in a meeting and it is easier to communicate via txt message without interuppting the meeting. I do think that they should make the connectivity via your phone as an option only. they should have their own network that people can subscribe to if they dont have a phone that is capable especially in the case of driving where you come across different area providers.
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bernie kramer 6:34AM (3/25/2006)
To VW and anyone with the same car with NAV:
I have a 2006 JETTA
TDI with the NAV system, every time I start the car the VW navigation CD reads out that I have the wrong CD in it. Anyone else have this issue?
Bernie
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