Automobiles with Touch Technology: Future Cars May Come With iPad-Like Devices
Future high-tech automobiles may come outfitted with tablet devices and technological features.
"The Los Angeles Auto Show" that opened its doors to the public today is highlighting the technological advancement that is making its way to several cars.
Some of the advancements being displayed at the event are iPad-like devices for the car's center console.
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"They want voice activated controls and they want to be able to customize the interior of their car like they would their tablet device,” said Jim Farley, vice president of sales at Ford.
Some of the participating carmakers that are developing these high-tech vehicles are Ford, General Motors and Toyota.
Cadillac, currently owned by General Motors, designed a system that is comparable to having an iPad in one's car. The system, known as "Cue," allows drivers to move between the screen's pages by sliding a finger. Users can also "pinch" and "stretch" the screen while using the car's navigation feature.
Stuart Norris, the engineer behind Cadillac’s "Cue" system, gave a statement to ABC News Radio: "We’ve really taken the interface that people are used to using in their everyday consumer electronic products like tablets and brought that user experience into the automotive space."
Toyota will debut its new system for the Camry car model. The center console screen will let drivers perform a myriad of actions. They can make dinner reservations with the "Open Table" application, buy tickets, and even download apps for use within the car's computer system. These features are reminiscent of the actions performed on an Apple iPhone or iPad device.
As for Ford, the company has created something it refers to as the "MyFordTouch" system. This new system will soon be updated and comes with several new features for technology-minded drivers. Current Ford car owners will be sent USB drives with the content onboard for download and installation.
"We’re making it simpler, faster to respond and easier to use. It launches on the new 2013 Escape, and Edge, and Flex,” said Alan Hall, an engineer on "MyFordTouch.”
The 2013 line of cars will sport these new tablet-like features and capabilities. With the impending rumors of the iPad 3, speculation may arise and point to the tablet making its way to several vehicles in the future.
