You are here: silicon.com > Networks > LANs

LANs

Leader: Driven by in-car connectivity

Expect plenty more car makers to go all Silicon Valley...

Tags: info-fuelling, auto-maker, car

By silicon.com

Published: 6 February 2006 16:55 GMT

There has long been all manner of semiconductors and software in cars and other autos. But we sense we are on the verge of something far beyond engine diagnostics and other 'under the hood' tech.

Connecting digital music players - normally the ubiquitous iPod - to car dashboards (is share their music collections all these youngsters want to do?) has become a feature of TV car advertising. And that will continue.

Did someone say machine-to-machine communications?

Amongst a wider agreement that came to light at the end of last week between Fiat and Microsoft, we heard how your average dashboard will have USB ports.

That's great for entertainment but we know in-car tech can be used for so much more (above and beyond helping you drive). Satellite navigation falls somewhere in between necessity and luxury for many these days (more necessity for a lot of drivers in London, it seems) and units are flying off the shelves.

We'll see ever-more realistic mapping and more intuitive user interfaces and voices. Volkswagen working with Google Maps is evidence of that ambition.

However, the big leap will come as all sorts of wireless standards become integrated with your four wheels of choice.

Imagine RFID and other contactless chips for road toll payments - the sort of payments that are happening now in some cities and will be done via satellite in the future, we predict. Imagine Bluetooth or other personal area connectivity within the car, wi-fi for 'info-fuelling' as you stop at petrol stations or more humble cellular data for these and other uses. (Did someone say machine-to-machine communications?)

This sounds like the same old dream we have been hearing for years. It is, kind of. Only now the technologies seem to be either here or close and auto-makers have been forced by saturated markets and demanding drivers to innovate.

The enlightened are talking about the 'four screens of life' - the environments that cover pretty much all our always-on moments. When you can't look at one, you can view another. These constitute your PC, your mobile, your TV and - you guessed it - your car. Never thought of it that way? For business and private use, you soon will.

  1. Zones
  2. Management
  3. Networks
  4. Software
  5. IT Services
  6. Hardware
  1. Verticals
  2. Public Sector
  3. Financial Services
  4. Retail & Leisure

Natasha Lomas Exclusive: Jimmy Wales on what's next for Wikipedia Why Wikipedia needs geeks and why a life unplugged is unthinkable

Peter Cochrane Peter Cochrane's Blog: United breaks guitars? Customer service has changed forever


  • Jobs
Global Reward and HR Analyst

Additionally you will be responsible for producing insightful reports and presentations in a range of different formats, clearly evidencing the key ...

Web Manager, Music / Radio / Television - London

Web Manager, Music / Radio / Television - London If you like Music and are looking for a Fun, Funky, Friendly environment then this is the place for ...

Field Sales Representative

For this Sales Executive role you will need to be: - Educated to degree level or equivalent preferably in a life science related subject - Due to the ...

Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.





Quick Sitemap Links: