Smartphones, bluetooth, wifi and the dash...
By: Drivers.com staff
Date: 2010-02-09
With research showing that distraction-related deaths accounted for 16% of all traffic fatalities in 2009, this issue is once again high on the agenda of the US Transportation Department. 'U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has declared war on driver distraction, with much of the focus on weaning Americans off texting and other cell-phone use while behind the wheel.' [source: wardsauto.com]
Smartphone integration systems in cars will need to address, rather than add to, the already numerous dashboard distractions. One company appears to be at the forefront of this technology, and may provide the distraction solution the Transportation Department and safety advocates are hoping for.
Delphi Automotive LLP's connectivity platform uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies to seamlessly integrate smartphones in the car dash. The Delphi system consists of a dash console which will display certain functions and apps to the driver, but will restrict their availability when the car is in drive.
Delphi's connectivity platform enables Smartphones to assume the role of many existing dashboard electronics such as the radio and SatNav systems. The difference is that these functions will be more tightly controlled than before, and only certain apps and functions (such as satnav for example), will be available to the driver when the vehicle is in motion. This system essentially integrates all electronic dash functions and brings them under the control of one safety monitor which will both regulate and display the integrated functions.
Fully-integrated dashboard systems such as this are a far cry from the simple car radio which stirred up so much controversy when first introduced by delphi in the 1950's, 'when the company developed in-dash radios more than 70 years ago, the innovation stirred concern about the potential distractions they created. So Delphi focused on making it safer' [Source: Boston Herald]
The safety features are not just limited to disabling potentially distracting apps and functions while driving. The dash LCD screen which mirrors your smartphone screen display, will also increase the size of the apps and text when the vehicle is in motion in order to limit distraction.
The Smartphone market is dramatically increasing (40% of cell-phone sales in North America are Smartphones), as are the demands and expectations of their users. With an ever-increasing market, the safety features provided by Delphi Automotive will be a necessity to keep drivers safe and focused while driving. With more connected, and potentially distracting, vehicles on the road, in-built safety features are more important than ever. 'Research indicates by 2013 every new vehicle sold in the U.S. will have smartphone connectivity, and by 2016 a vehicle's smartphone interface will be a purchase driver for new-car buyers, the Delphi executive says.' [source: wardsauto.com]
But what about the cost? Well, according to one website the price tag won't be too severe, 'cost will be more than today's simple Bluetooth connectivity, but it will be 'significantly lower' than an onboard navigation system, Schumacher says.' [source: wardsauto.com] .
With full smartphone integration with the dash, strong safety features and an affordable price tag, it looks like Delphi are the ones to watch in smartphone-vehicle integration market.
- Battle for the Dashboard - an update
- Phones and driving - mystery of the crashes
- Release of iPhone 4.0 to signal in-car integration?
- Bluetooth and the driver
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