Gadgets like Bluetooth, Navigation and intelligent key systems are no longer reserved for exclusive cars with six-digit pricing. In fact, most of the industry’s latest technologies will likely be standard or available on the next new machine you’re considering. Here’s a look at a few of the most common.
Navigation: Most manufacturers offer a navigation system for enhanced confidence when traveling in unfamiliar territory. Modern integrated navigation systems allow drivers to quickly and efficiently locate specific points of interest in nearly any locale--often with searchability by category, distance from their current location, or even phone number.
How’s it work? In a nutshell, the navigation system detects signals from multiple GPS satellites orbiting high above the earth. An in-car computer uses these signals to measure the distance between the vehicle and the satellites above. This tells it, numerically, where on the earth’s surface that the vehicle is located.
This information is of little use to motorists on its own-- so the vehicle is superimposed onto a digital on-screen map in the car. The superimposition of the vehicle onto the map is accurate to within a meter or so, and the position updates in real-time as the driver travels around.
Whether bringing the kids to a Toys-R-Us in a strange city or to a new friend’s house on the other side of town, turn-by-turn instructions are given every step of the way. Navigation systems can even re-calculate a new route if you miss a turn.
Audio System Hard Drive: Available as part of a technology package or as a standalone option, many automakers offer a hard-drive equipped audio system. Rather than loading discs into a CD changer, the contents of the driver’s favourite CD can be ‘burned’ to an on-board hard drive for future playback. Just load, copy, eject, and repeat.
IPod and USB connectors may be available to keep drivers in touch with their favourite tunes at all times, too.
Bluetooth Phone: Do you like to chat on the go? Will you use your ride as a mobile office? If so, a Bluetooth phone system makes it safe and easy to talk while driving.
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| Photo: Jupiter Images |
Navigation: Most manufacturers offer a navigation system for enhanced confidence when traveling in unfamiliar territory. Modern integrated navigation systems allow drivers to quickly and efficiently locate specific points of interest in nearly any locale--often with searchability by category, distance from their current location, or even phone number.
How’s it work? In a nutshell, the navigation system detects signals from multiple GPS satellites orbiting high above the earth. An in-car computer uses these signals to measure the distance between the vehicle and the satellites above. This tells it, numerically, where on the earth’s surface that the vehicle is located.
This information is of little use to motorists on its own-- so the vehicle is superimposed onto a digital on-screen map in the car. The superimposition of the vehicle onto the map is accurate to within a meter or so, and the position updates in real-time as the driver travels around.
Whether bringing the kids to a Toys-R-Us in a strange city or to a new friend’s house on the other side of town, turn-by-turn instructions are given every step of the way. Navigation systems can even re-calculate a new route if you miss a turn.
Audio System Hard Drive: Available as part of a technology package or as a standalone option, many automakers offer a hard-drive equipped audio system. Rather than loading discs into a CD changer, the contents of the driver’s favourite CD can be ‘burned’ to an on-board hard drive for future playback. Just load, copy, eject, and repeat.
IPod and USB connectors may be available to keep drivers in touch with their favourite tunes at all times, too.
Bluetooth Phone: Do you like to chat on the go? Will you use your ride as a mobile office? If so, a Bluetooth phone system makes it safe and easy to talk while driving.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |