Autoblog

ID4Motion re-imagines your car's gauge cluster

Zach Bowman — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Technology, Videos

With more manufacturers turning away from analog gauges in favor of LCD instrument panels, it was only a matter of time before an aftermarket company came up with a screen of its own. Enter the ID4Motion MotionGraphic Design Digital Cluster. Using car-specific hardware, the screen can tap into your vehicle's systems with either a CAN-BUS or analog connection to display everything from engine and vehicle speed to pertinent system warnings and fuel capacity in a more attractive manner. The device boasts a 10.1-inch color display with 1280x800 resolution and a suite of tech goodies.

Those include a G force meter as well as a timer odometer matched to your vehicle. More importantly, user and vehicle information is encoded to prevent tampering from outside parties. The Design Digital Cluster can even be configured to show off a company logo should you so desire. How much will it cost you? ID4Motion isn't saying, but the company will gladly quote you a price depending on your application. Check it out in action below or head over to the ID4Motion site for more information.

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ID4Motion re-imagines your car's gauge cluster originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW developing customizable LCD gauges for refreshed 5 and 7 Series models

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, BMW, Luxury

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has had one for a few years, and Jaguar-Land Rover recently fitted units to its all-new XJ and updated Range Rover. Now BMW is getting ready to offer its own fully configurable LCD gauge cluster on the next-generation 5 Series and 7 Series models.

Co-developed in Munich and BMW's Technology Office in Mountain View, CA, the new gauge cluster will display the standard dials for speed, revs, fuel and temp, but can be configured to show additional navigation, telematics and infotainment data depending on the driving mode. Comfort and Sport settings will tailor the display to suit conditions, possibly placing the tachometer front-and-center in Sport mode, along with providing shift lights and other more driver-centric information.

A BMW engineer we spoke with made it clear that BMW doesn't want to rely on digital representations of analog gauges. Instead, the automaker is looking at the display as a blank canvas with which it can display a variety of information in an innovative way. However, while consumer customization will be available, BMW believes that keeping the user-tweakability to a minimum is key for ease-of-use and general readability.

Expect the new dash to appear on the refreshed 5 and 7 Series within the next two years.

BMW developing customizable LCD gauges for refreshed 5 and 7 Series models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could this be the most trick shift knob ever?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, Etc.

We've always been of the opinion that if it doesn't make you go faster, stick better or be safer, it's generally a waste of money. There have been exceptions, but this has to be one of the coolest.

The idea is pretty self-explanatory: on top of the shift knob is an LCD that after telling it the number of gears and, we're assuming, the movement of the stalk, displays what cog your transmission is residing.

Unfortunately, our German is a bit rusty, so when we downloaded the Indy-Cator's directions, we weren't able to decipher how it's programmed. If you've got the means, we'd ask you to check out the company's website and let us know exactly how this little piece of automotive geeketry works.

According to TMTuning, installation is straightforward, the LCD has an auto-dimming feature and it can be yours in blue or red for $169.00. Worthwhile? That's in the hand of the beholder.

[Source: Gaslock.de via TMTuning]

Could this be the most trick shift knob ever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New key fob from GM a supercomputer

John Neff — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, GM

USA Today is reporting that General Motors will introduce a new key fob next April that makes your current controller look like a batter-powered key. The new fob wil feature an LCD display so that your vehicle can actually communicate things to you like the ' tire pressure, the odometer reading, how much fuel's in the tank, etc. You can also change the stereo's radio settings remotely and start the car with the fob if you've opted for GM's remote start package. Oh yeah, it'll unlock the doors, too. GM has jacked up the operating range of the fob by a factor of six so you can even pick up its signal in Ann Taylor while waiting for your wife/girlfriend to finish trying on turtlenecks (or is that just me?). The best part about the new key fob is its price: $150. That's not too shabby considering what it will do. The fob will initially be an option on the Cadillac Escalade and other pickups and SUVs across the automaker's brands. GM also promises it will cost less than $100 to replace if it were lost or broken. It has, however, been thoroughly tested to withstand the rigors of even the harshest daily routines, so durability shouldn't be a problem. Now if they'd only throw in 4GB of flash memory and let me hook it up to iTunes...

[Source: USA Today via Winding Road]

New key fob from GM a supercomputer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp's in-dash LCD may replace gauges

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

Another crossblog from Engadget, we have an announcement of Sharp developing a 1500:1 contrast ratio LCD panel that will work as a dashboard in upcoming vehicles. Sure, you might be saying, but Mercedes already has a small LCD panel in its S-Class. True, but this is taking things about ten steps further. In fact, it just might make that $5 million heads-up display offer a moot point. The 8-inch panel features an 800 x 480 resolution and can display not only the usual speedometer, tachometer, and idiot lights, but can also show navigational maps and backup cameras images. And did we mention that the 1500:1 contrast ratio is three times better than any competitor?

The biggest challenge for this new Sharp panel is that car interiors are much harsher on electronics than a living room. Having to cope with more extreme vibration and heat fluctuations than indoor equipment, the whole LCD was revamped and adapted for road use. No mention of who might be in line to install these in their vehicles just yet, but there will surely be interest with the growing technology needs of drivers combined with a relatively fixed amount of dash space available in cars.

[Source: Sharp via Engadget]

Sharp's in-dash LCD may replace gauges originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Oct 2006 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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