What is Audi Connect?
Audi Connect is the manufacturer's name for their in-car internet and networking strategy. Since 2005 Audi has collaborated with Google to bring the information and entertainment offered by wireless internet networks to its cars, but Audi Connect aims to take what's currently possible in-car to new levels.
Audi Connect is already installed in the A8, A7 Sportback and new A6, and will soon also be present in the A1. Opting for the UTMS module add-on enables the internet conection. Up to eight devices can share the car's wireless network, and applications then available include
- Google Earth integration into the in-car navigation, making it easier to visualise your journey
- Google search to give you up to date local information (places of interest, restaurants etc)
- weather, travel information and news.
Audi plan to roll out some new features in Europe this Summer. First, there's Audi's own real-time traffic news (initially available only on selected routes) . Second, voice command navigation will be available on special destinations via Google.
Further ahead, it's planned to integrate Google's Street View with the in-car MMI (Multimedia Interface) display so that you can actually view your destination as if you were already there as a pedestrian.
Audi also plan to integrate a range of 'smartphone' functions. For instance, photos taken on a mobile phone with GPS enabled can be stored, together with the co-ordinates, in the car's navigation system. Looking into the future, the battery charge level for electric cars will be visible on your mobile phone, as will open window and door warnings - and you'll be able to control features like in-car heating systems via the phone too. Audi will actually start fleet-testing features like this with their A1 'e'tron' electric car this year.
However ultimately Audi see their cars as being 'aware' of their environment, and vice-versa. An example of this is 2006's 'Travolution' project in Germany, where 15 test vehicles and over 150 traffic signals in one town were wirelessly connected so that each car could receive real-time information about the optimum speed to drive at to minimise acceleration, deceleration and braking (all of which increase fuel consumption). In fact, it was possible for each car's speed to be controlled by the system too - and also stop cars running red lights. The benefit? Less congestion and nearly 20% less CO2.
Finally, Audi are also looking into car-to-car communication. Imagine how handy it would be if cars stuck in traffic or experiencing dangerous driving conditions caused by weather could automatically warn others planning to take the same route.