Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Transparent displays on their way to automobiles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/21/transparent-displays-on-their-way-to-automobiles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/21/transparent-displays-on-their-way-to-automobiles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/21/transparent-displays-on-their-way-to-automobiles/#commentsFiled under:



There's no doubt that car dashboards will soon be swept up in the technology revolution -- but rear-view mirrors? Korean company NeoView Kolon developed a kind of transparent transistor for an OLED display, and now they have found a way to integrate that technology into a rear-view mirror. As seen above, the mirror would display what looks like speed as well as two other numerical indicators, what gear you're in, and a host of ancillary information.

If it is really meant for rear-view mirrors we have to wonder what the scientists at NeoView are doing when they drive. It seems unlikely that one could quickly note the information and tell what's going on behind the car. But if nothing else, we certainly applaud the technology.

[Source: Engadget]

Transparent displays on their way to automobiles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>neoviewneoview kolonNeoviewKolonoledrearviewmirrortechtechnologytransparent oledtransparenteTransparentOledTue, 21 Apr 2009 07:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford doubling availability of Rear View Camera option]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-doubling-availability-of-rear-view-camera-option/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-doubling-availability-of-rear-view-camera-option/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-doubling-availability-of-rear-view-camera-option/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ford's rear view camera system is unique in that it displays video at bumper level in the rear view mirror as opposed to the navigation system. We found Ford's system to work well when we tested it, and customers appreciate the fact that they can purchase the system without also buying an expensive navigation system. Ford is looking to sell a lot more rear view camera systems, too, as the Blue Oval is doubling its availability in models for 2009. The rear view camera will find its way onto 75% of Ford models by the end of next year, including most trucks, SUVs and crossovers. The system will also be available on the new Ford Mustang, which Ford says is the only rear camera on a sports car. The rear camera system works really well on trucks and SUVs, where the size of the vehicle often makes it impossible to see what's going on at bumper level. Ford is already seeing twice the take rate of the $695 option in the 2009 F-150 vs. the 2008 model.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford doubling availability of Rear View Camera option

Ford doubling availability of Rear View Camera option originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-150fordford rear view cameraFordRearViewCamerarear sensorrear view mirrorRearSensorRearViewMirrorThu, 04 Dec 2008 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Azentek nav-equipped SmartMirror coming end of year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/15/azentek-nav-equipped-smartmirror-coming-end-of-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/15/azentek-nav-equipped-smartmirror-coming-end-of-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/15/azentek-nav-equipped-smartmirror-coming-end-of-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Everything is in line to be a convergence device, and now the boring rear view mirror has stepped under the lights to get stuffed with extra equipment. The Azentek SmartMirror has a four-inch touchscreen on the right for a 2D and 3D text-to-speech GPS display. It's also offers Bluetooth connectivity, a call log, and caller ID. It has two video inputs, one that can be used for a rear view camera, and an SD card slot in case you want to record... well, whatever you might want to record with your rear view mirror.

The only thing missing from the mirror is availability -- it's been so popular that Azentek can't supply enough of them. The company says that will change later this year when you'll be able to get it at major retailers. The other potential hitch: it'll cost you $800 to do what your phone, TomTom, and regular mirror already do.

[Source: Engadget]

Azentek nav-equipped SmartMirror coming end of year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesazentekazentek smart mirrorAzentekSmartMirrorgadgetsgpsrear view mirrorRearViewMirrorsmart mirrorsmartmirrortechWed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford to offer new blind spot and hazard detection in 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/ford-to-offer-new-blind-spot-and-hazard-detection-in-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/ford-to-offer-new-blind-spot-and-hazard-detection-in-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/ford-to-offer-new-blind-spot-and-hazard-detection-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We've all done it; you're halfway through a lane change and suddenly a horn sounds and snaps you to reality. Whether you failed to check your blind spot adequately, or just plain oblivious, Ford's introducing a two features to help you out. The Blind Spot Mirror and Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitoring System will arrive in 2009, and one offers a low-tech solution, while the other appears to be a Volvo feature trickling down.

Elegantly simple, the Blind Spot Mirror cleverly integrates a convex mirror into the regular mirror glass, much like the generations-old side-reducing mirrors available in other markets with a concave area to aid in viewing blind spots. The Cross-Traffic alert system uses radar to monitor traffic perpendicular to the back end when reversing. During forward travel, the radar system is used to detect and warn of vehicles traveling in your blind spot. The radar tricks sound to us like Ford leveraging Volvo's BLIS system, that monitors blind spots and lights a pilot LED when there's a vehicle there, and we worry that it will make drivers even less attentive, but then, we realize nobody is paying attention now, so if this rig raises awareness, road safety should improve. Ford's planning on bundling these new safety features along with reverse sensing and rearview cameras to create a more comprehensive portfolio of electronic safety aids in response to customers indicating a desire for better mirrors and safety systems. Press release after the jump

[Source:Ford]

Continue reading Ford to offer new blind spot and hazard detection in 2009

Ford to offer new blind spot and hazard detection in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backup cameraBackupCamerablind spotblind spot warningBlindSpotBlindSpotWarningford blind spotford mirrorford safetyFordBlindSpotFordMirrorFordSafetyrearview mirrorRearviewMirrorreverse sensingReverseSensingvolvo blisVolvoBlisWed, 09 Apr 2008 18:56:00 EST