The driver’s Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) will be a critical part of the car interface of the future thanks to wireless technology, according to Pi Technology.
Pi Technology has developed applications using a popular PDA (Palm Corp’s Palm Vx with the new Bluetooth radio attachment) that can talk to two different in-car audio systems via simple Bluetooth gateways.
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The applications allow the user to control the vehicle radio and CD player without needing to use the audio system’s controls. From the PDA it is possible to select tracks on the CD, adjust the volume, and so on.
Pi Technology’s engineers envisage many other applications where the PDA could simplify and enhance the driver’s operation of the vehicle and its systems. For example:
To instruct the vehicle’s navigation system based on the entries in the driver’s personal diary, synchronized with the office calendar;
Spot where your next appointment is, and get up-to-date traffic information for your route;
Upload traffic and other information from the Internet to the navigation system;
To integrate a mobile phone with the vehicle’s audio system for hands-free operation;
To download information from the car trip computer to the driver’s PDA for trip reports and expense claims;
To create wireless audio systems;
To transfer playlists and preferences to the audio system;
To transfer MP3 and other media files for use in the car. The car can then pick up your favorite MP3s from your PDA and MP3 player, and play them for you;
To manage downloading music from the Internet;
Identify the driver to the car (even a hire car) and set seat position, automatic transmission mode, etc. to the driver’s personal preferences.
Julian Styles, Pi Technology commented: “A wireless-linked PDA could be the key to the car of the future.”
