Pursuing Cars That Won’t Be Outdated

No one can argue with me when I say that technology is constantly changing and what may be considered new one minute is considered old news the next. So how does one compete in this trying economy? To ensure that the growing array of electronics, controlling anything from navigation systems to sophisticated antilock brakes, do not become obsolete before the car’s first oil change, engineers are creating vehicles that can adapt to new technologies and are flexible enough to accommodate unforeseen future developments. This is about the radical shift to designing cars from the ground up to be upgradeable.
"Cars need to be upgraded — over the air — and they have to have smartphone connections now," said Erik Goldman, president of Hughes Telematics, emphasizing the need for remote wireless car connections that would help owners avoid trips to the dealership.
Upgradeable means being able to cull diagnostic information from a vehicle through, say, a satellite link, or having the ability to reprogram a transmission controller or recalibrate the braking system while the car is parked in your driveway.
This entails the ability to change dashboard functions. Not only can its appearance be personalized, but it can be upgraded with new functions, from a g-force meter to local weather warnings. Its design will accommodate systems that could issue vehicle-to-vehicle collision warnings or alert drivers about dangerous intersections ahead.
"The car is becoming the most sophisticated piece of computer equipment you own," said Dave Evans, Cisco’s chief futurist. Adopting a new perspective of what’s parked in your garage will be required: that car will no longer be simply a mode of transportation, but rather a node on the network, he said.
How, and by whom, should this new kind of upgradeable car be managed?
"That’s the issue on everybody’s radar," Mr. Goldman of Hughes said. "The challenge is that this is a whole new world for the auto industry."
Many companies have conflicting views on how exactly to incorporate these new smartphone technologies into their vehicles. In December, Ford introduced a feature called AppLink that lets drivers use smartphone apps like Pandora and Twitter. But it’s more simply plugging an iPhone into the dash. The AppLink programs — all screened and approved by Ford — have access to the driver’s controls, including voice commands and buttons on the steering wheel that drivers can use to skip through songs. Initially, AppLink works only with Sync-equipped 2011 Fiestas and 2012 Mustangs, but Ford plans to expand availability.
Mercedes Benz and Onstar are taking a more conservative approach. Mercedes is using Mbrace which offers basic BlackBerry and iPhone applications that allow owners to lock or unlock their vehicles remotely. For its part, OnStar has the Mylink app for iPhones and Android-based smartphones. It can be downloaded by customers but is limited to controlling functions like remote door locking, starting the car or checking the fuel level.
These advancements may also work to the advantage of car shipping companies in order to show constant tracking of where the vehicle is and at what specific time. This works for and transportation company.
Some experimental vehicles, like A.J., a 2011 Ford Fiesta Ford that sent Twitter messages last summer about its status and location, have allowed researchers to tap directly into the car’s Controller Area Network, which communicates with critical systems like the cruise control. Such access raises the fear that hackers could wreak havoc.
Nokia has developed a way to somewhat offer protection from this invasion. Nokia’s approach, for example, lets the software receive information only from the network.
"We offer all the possible security methods," said Vesa Luiro, director of automotive business at Nokia, the cellphone maker. "But you need to implement them."
The shocking truth is that all of these things are coming into effect soon. Newer and more advanced technology can also be for the betterment of the American people. My. Evans of Cisco says these advancements probably won’t be seen until after 2012.
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