In a move sure to cause consternation among the tinfoil hat/black helicopter types, Fiat and Microsoft are teaming up for a new feature called EcoDrive. The Italian carmaker and the software company already have an electronic communication system similar to the recently introduced Ford Sync that's called Blue&Me. New Fiats will be able to log a variety of vehicle and driver data such as throttle position, transmission, speeds and various engine parameters that affect fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Through Blue&Me, drivers will be able to plug in a USB thumb drive and the data will be automatically downloaded.
When the driver plugs the thumb drive into a computer loaded with the Microsoft EcoDrive software, the data will be analyzed. The software can then give the driver suggestions about how to modify his/her behavior behind the wheel to reduce fuel consumption. As you might expect, the software is Windows-only. Hopefully the data won't be stored in a proprietary format so that open source types can come up with their own analysis software for Linux and Macs.
[Source: Fiat]
11/09/2007
Fiat and Microsoft Introduce "EcoDrive"
Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft Automotive Business Unit announce a new Blue&Me-based system that enables drivers to minimize their impact on the environment.
Frankfurt, September 11th 2007. At the 62nd International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft are set to unveil "Eco Drive".
The EcoDrive solution, spearheaded by Fiat Group Automobiles, demonstrates that an auto maker's environmental responsibility should not stop when the car leaves the production line - but extend into the way consumers drive their cars.
Today the official fuel consumption and emission figures of cars, certified by the European Union, are obtained using cars driven by professional drivers on a Roller Dynamometer Test Bench. The test takes place in optimum ambient conditions (fixed temperature, pressure and humidity) on a predefined driving cycle (fixed vehicle speed, time and gear shift points) with air conditioning, radio, lights, and other devices switched off. This ensures the results are comparable. But real emissions levels are substantially different. They depend on whether the car is driven in a rural or urban setting and on the condition of the car. And they are also heavily affected by the driver's style.
EcoDrive collects all necessary data relating to vehicle efficiency and, through Blue&Me's USB gate, transmits it into a normal USB key. The driver plugs this into a PC. The "EcoDrive" system presents the driver with detailed environmental performance of the car including the CO2 emission level for each trip. It analyses the driver's style and then provides tips and recommendations on how to modify style to achieve CO2 reductions – and save money on fuel.
EcoDrive will encourage the driver to set himself challenges – CO2 reduction targets for specific journeys or over a set period of time. And in a community site will encourage all drivers to come together and pool their savings - working towards much bigger collective targets and showing that a lot of small contributions join to have a massive impact.
Based on the award winning, jointly developed Blue&Me™ platform, "EcoDrive" will enable drivers to better understand and adapt their driving behaviors to minimize their effect on the environment.
The partnership between Microsoft and Fiat was initiated nearly four years ago and has seen the solution rolled out across the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Iveco and Lancia ranges. This latest ecological application was developed on Microsoft's flexible and updateable platform Microsoft Auto, which Fiat has innovated upon to together with Microsoft create the in-car infotainment solution Blue&Me™. "EcoDrive" will be available from 2008 in certain Fiat cars equipped with the Blue&Me system and marks yet another step in the innovative collaboration between Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft.
Please click here www.fiat.com/ecodrive to see the video that will introduce EcoDrive at the Fiat stand.
Frankfurt, September 11th 2007. At the 62nd International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft are set to unveil "Eco Drive".
The EcoDrive solution, spearheaded by Fiat Group Automobiles, demonstrates that an auto maker's environmental responsibility should not stop when the car leaves the production line - but extend into the way consumers drive their cars.
Today the official fuel consumption and emission figures of cars, certified by the European Union, are obtained using cars driven by professional drivers on a Roller Dynamometer Test Bench. The test takes place in optimum ambient conditions (fixed temperature, pressure and humidity) on a predefined driving cycle (fixed vehicle speed, time and gear shift points) with air conditioning, radio, lights, and other devices switched off. This ensures the results are comparable. But real emissions levels are substantially different. They depend on whether the car is driven in a rural or urban setting and on the condition of the car. And they are also heavily affected by the driver's style.
EcoDrive collects all necessary data relating to vehicle efficiency and, through Blue&Me's USB gate, transmits it into a normal USB key. The driver plugs this into a PC. The "EcoDrive" system presents the driver with detailed environmental performance of the car including the CO2 emission level for each trip. It analyses the driver's style and then provides tips and recommendations on how to modify style to achieve CO2 reductions – and save money on fuel.
EcoDrive will encourage the driver to set himself challenges – CO2 reduction targets for specific journeys or over a set period of time. And in a community site will encourage all drivers to come together and pool their savings - working towards much bigger collective targets and showing that a lot of small contributions join to have a massive impact.
Based on the award winning, jointly developed Blue&Me™ platform, "EcoDrive" will enable drivers to better understand and adapt their driving behaviors to minimize their effect on the environment.
The partnership between Microsoft and Fiat was initiated nearly four years ago and has seen the solution rolled out across the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Iveco and Lancia ranges. This latest ecological application was developed on Microsoft's flexible and updateable platform Microsoft Auto, which Fiat has innovated upon to together with Microsoft create the in-car infotainment solution Blue&Me™. "EcoDrive" will be available from 2008 in certain Fiat cars equipped with the Blue&Me system and marks yet another step in the innovative collaboration between Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft.
Please click here www.fiat.com/ecodrive to see the video that will introduce EcoDrive at the Fiat stand.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Calebe @ Sep 13th 2007 9:27AM
boooo
Justin @ Sep 13th 2007 9:32AM
Before all the people come in and knock this for being too "nanny" reminiscent...let's keep in mind, it's optional to use. It also doesnt force anything on you or intrude. It's just for those of us who want to improve our driving habits to benefit the environment, so relax.
P to the C @ Sep 13th 2007 9:48AM
Sounds pretty cool to me. It's not like this is some sort of government mandate or anything. I'd like to have that in my next car.
Bob66 @ Sep 13th 2007 10:39AM
Uhhh, optional to use but not to buy! Like Internet Exploiter, you're paying for it whether you use it or not. Then, being a Microslop product will Fiat owners have to pull over and reboot periodically?
Polly Prissy Pants @ Sep 13th 2007 12:28PM
How clever: Internet Exploiter and Microslop. And you even worked in a reboot comment. What are you, 12?
DJ @ Sep 13th 2007 9:50AM
This is long overdue and should be standard across the board, all vehicles, around the world. The most usefule aspect of this is that people will actually have the tools they need to be able to extract/come close to EPA/gov't estimated fuel economy and emissions in the real world -- and we can stop hearing from the complainers that their hybrid doesn't get the advertised mileage, or the big-ass SUV drivers can actually beat 10mpg.
bill @ Sep 13th 2007 11:08AM
Ain't this grand. Just because we can do something does not mean we should be doing it. Whatever happened to the concept of personal freedom? We have to know that our beloved government officials will be busting their collective asses to find a way to get tax revenue out of the information being stored in these on-board computers - how about a 10% surcharge for every minute spent at full throttle? Wake up people - your freedoms are being eroded.
Justin @ Sep 13th 2007 1:01PM
What are you blathering about? It's for personal use...
idiot.
DKB_SATX @ Sep 13th 2007 11:23AM
When I lived in Italy, I noticed that relatively few Italians had toll-tags for the Autostrada, even though there's not an extra charge for having one and the lines for cash booths at toll plaza SUCK. They just don't want people to be able to tell (or tell their wives?) where they've been driving.
I'm guessing they're not going to like this either, but fewer people will even know it's there. I actually liked their attitude about toll tags, because *I* had one and got to breeze through toll plazas with just a little slow-down.
iQuack @ Sep 13th 2007 11:56AM
Windows only? That's OK because I'd rather have a Honda and an iMac than a crappy Fiat and a brain-dead PeeCee anyway.
JJones @ Sep 13th 2007 12:45PM
I thought Mac stuff was all "PeeCee" based now? Don't you remember? Apple switched right after they spent all that money trying to convince everyone how their PPC based Macs were sooo much better and faster than those crummy slow Intel based PC's. Man, those wacky Mac extremists would believe anything. Still do I guess. Fight the MS monopoly, buy a Mac! Ahh, the sweet irony. Good times...
iQuack @ Sep 13th 2007 1:13PM
I like Microsoft and even own a few shares of MSFT. Bill Gates is a star IMO, but I think the Mac OS is better.
The Intel Mac is a good idea because Intel is a more reliable and lower-cost chip source. Also, the newest Macs can run the actual Windows OS just like any Dell, HP, or other PC. So, for some proprietary programs that MUST be run on Windows, Macs can do that as well as any computer.
Because Macs can open almost all file types there's little reason to be restricted to Windows with all the spyware, virus, and other issues common to PCs.
From what I've read, Windows Vista is a disappointment: It's better than XP, but still has security, hardware compatibility, and other issues that Mac owners don't have.
The silly business of Vista Basic, Home Premium, etc., etc., is annoying and ridiculous. If you choose a Mac, you get one, superior OS instead of having to make choices among several mediocre alternatives.
JAG @ Sep 13th 2007 12:17PM
Ahh Italians, their cars were famous for their electrical problems, guess they want the tradition to continue.
Colin Smith @ Sep 13th 2007 12:30PM
Oh dear.
A little inexpensive but interesting information for some is interpreted as a big-brother intrusion into personal liberty, and an excuse for a pop at Fiat's old electrical gremlins - of twenty years ago...
Fiat have been making cars for 108 years, and Microsoft make a lot of computers - so give SOME credit please.
JAG @ Sep 13th 2007 12:50PM
Yep, they have been making cars for 108 years but still, their electrical systems suck. if you ever owned an Italian beauty you will know of this. I remember when I had my old Ducati, I had to choose between disconnecting the light and get home or connect it and had my battery run empty half way there!!! Not n very nice at 10pm. Decisions, decisions....
Colin Smith @ Sep 13th 2007 3:21PM
I do own an Italian beauty - ugly actually, but it's beautiful to me. And it works! A Doblo. Do Google and have a scream!
(You have no idea of it so don't worry)
And we all have to make decisions. Decisions are the essence of life. But I confess, if my car breaks down on me I'll give it a very good talking to. Four years and still no problems - the A/C is still 90% gassed apparently as well - which is good? It was re-gassed and works fine.
A very good, ugly, beautiful, Italian car/van type thing then. Diesel too, so anathema in the States, but fine here.
Sorry about the Ducati.
bill @ Sep 13th 2007 1:12PM
Justin, my feelings are wounded by your remarks. I will admit to blathering; but I do not know that being a blatherer makes me an idiot. On the other hand I can be an idiot without blathering. On the third hand, if I had one, I am not capable of multi-tasking so there is no way I can be blathering and be an idiot at the same time.
Personal use? We can wait for the results. Only then will we know who is blathering and who is an idiot.
John Metcalf @ Sep 13th 2007 3:15PM
Why wasn't the Ford version of the electronic communication system called Blue&Me?
Mark @ Sep 13th 2007 7:10PM
Sounds cool to me. Nothing wrong with data.
Barney @ Sep 14th 2007 12:50AM
I coached a friend how to get better milage in his vehicle. He scoffed at the idea until he read somewhere, the same I was teaching him. This device would be handy if it could be applied to a variety of vehicles. My friend gets gas milage he never deemed possible.