Today’s car shopper is a self-centered, fussy and demanding creature: they want it all, they want it cheap, and they want it right now.
A big chunk of the ‘everything’ today’s shopper demands is connectivity with their gadgets, tuneage and online buddies while they’re on the move. As such, more and more carmakers are touting features that help motorists tweet, talk, text and surf the web-- wherever their daily routine takes them.
Enter the Orange Speed’R concept-- which recently bowed at the Paris Motor Show. This super-funky lookin’ concept is a styling exercise in itself, though the big story on this piece (which was designed by Franco Sbarro’s ESPERA design school) is its plethora of advanced connectivity features.
Powered by mobile-phone provider Orange, the Speed’R packs in-car access to internet services, multimedia content and applications-- thanks in part to a touch-screen tablet.
A full suite of motoring apps is on board, including ‘DrivePad’, which provides information for maintaining and servicing your vehicle. Other apps allow drivers to quickly call up traffic webcams, promotions offered by member garages, and even a car-sharing community. Real time traffic and internet access are part of the package, and the Speed’R uses the owner’s mobile phone as its key.
Interestingly, if the shopper wishes to ‘share’ their vehicle with others, Orange’s NFC Access System allows access parameters to be set so a vehicle can be used by several drivers. Based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the system allows the temporary transfer of an ignition key signal to another mobile phone, combined with the easy management of online bookings.
No word on security features to keep drivers from fiddling with their wireless apps while the vehicle is moving.
A big chunk of the ‘everything’ today’s shopper demands is connectivity with their gadgets, tuneage and online buddies while they’re on the move. As such, more and more carmakers are touting features that help motorists tweet, talk, text and surf the web-- wherever their daily routine takes them.
Enter the Orange Speed’R concept-- which recently bowed at the Paris Motor Show. This super-funky lookin’ concept is a styling exercise in itself, though the big story on this piece (which was designed by Franco Sbarro’s ESPERA design school) is its plethora of advanced connectivity features.
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| Photo: Franco Sbarro’s ESPERA design school |
Powered by mobile-phone provider Orange, the Speed’R packs in-car access to internet services, multimedia content and applications-- thanks in part to a touch-screen tablet.
A full suite of motoring apps is on board, including ‘DrivePad’, which provides information for maintaining and servicing your vehicle. Other apps allow drivers to quickly call up traffic webcams, promotions offered by member garages, and even a car-sharing community. Real time traffic and internet access are part of the package, and the Speed’R uses the owner’s mobile phone as its key.
Interestingly, if the shopper wishes to ‘share’ their vehicle with others, Orange’s NFC Access System allows access parameters to be set so a vehicle can be used by several drivers. Based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the system allows the temporary transfer of an ignition key signal to another mobile phone, combined with the easy management of online bookings.
No word on security features to keep drivers from fiddling with their wireless apps while the vehicle is moving.