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Audi Smart Display

In Pictures: The Automotive Technology We Saw At CES 2014
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Audi Smart Display

Rear-seat entertainment systems are typically behind the curve when it comes to technology. Heck, it wasn’t until the last year or two that manufacturers started offering Blu-ray playback and HDMI input back there. But in the age of streaming Internet media and $200 Google Nexus 7 tablets that are more capable, we may be facing the death of factory-installed systems that can cost thousands of dollars and only be purchased with pricey option packages.

Audi’s solution is a tablet called the Smart Display. The 10.2-inch device packs a Tegra 4 SoC and naturally runs Android. The car maker touts extreme temperature (-40 to 80 °C) and crash resistance, making it a more ideal permanent interior fixture than off-the-shelf alternatives. Of course, you're not looking at a pure Android environment; it's skinned to resemble Audi’s Multi Media Interface, though it operates like a standard Android-based tablet, too. The dockable Smart Display connects to the vehicle via in-car Wi-Fi and lets passengers access the infotainment system.

We didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Audi's tablet concept because the company's booth was absolutely packed. But if the Smart Display emerges with the same functionality as Audi's existing rear-seat system, sending navigation directions to the driver, navigating through Google Earth overlays, and so on, the addition of Android's operating environment should give passengers a truly unique experience.

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  • 1 Hide
    Nintendo Maniac 64 , January 17, 2014 2:38 PM
    I'm assuming the Tesla Model S isn't listed because it was deemed to either be:

    1. not new enough
    2. more 'computer tech' than 'automotive tech'
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , January 17, 2014 3:30 PM
    Quote:
    I'm assuming the Tesla Model S isn't listed because it was deemed to either be:

    1. not new enough
    2. more 'computer tech' than 'automotive tech'


    It wasn't listed because it came out in the 2012 model year. It was not present at any booth and there was nothing new for it to show off / announce. We also gave it a best of CES award last year.
  • 0 Hide
    ap3x , January 17, 2014 3:45 PM
    I did a test drive with the Model S and it is easily the best driving experience I have had. Before the 5 Series BMW was my favorite but the Model S is just a monster from a driving perspective. Really cool car.
  • 0 Hide
    danwat1234 , January 17, 2014 7:45 PM
    The C-max still only gets about 40MPG real world average, far from even it's revised EPA sticker of 44/41/43(combined) .Kia K900, the 360 degree camera would be useful if the driver was in a car accident and it wasn't their fault. Wish the automotive industry would standardize front/rear cams and have recording take place (which hopefully the driver can disable if he/she's going to do something stupid). A lot of drivers in Russia have dashcams.Toyota FCV, 0-60 of 10 seconds. Since the drivetrain is still electric, maybe they could add a few supercapacitors to allow "boost" performance for a few seconds without being hard on the small battery pack. This may be how the newer Honda CRZs implement their "Sport+" button functionality.You should cover more hybrid & electric drivetrains, specialized engines such as upcoming HCCI engines from GM, Toyota, Mazda and others. New ECUs. That's the technology I'm interested in, along with all the nav and safety stuff.
  • -1 Hide
    Nintendo Maniac 64 , January 17, 2014 8:43 PM
    According to this TechCrunch video, the Tesla Model S was present at the Panasonic booth at CES 2014:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhjX2So3RgY
  • 1 Hide
    tuanies , January 17, 2014 9:09 PM
    Quote:
    The C-max still only gets about 40MPG real world average, far from even it's revised EPA sticker of 44/41/43(combined) .Kia K900, the 360 degree camera would be useful if the driver was in a car accident and it wasn't their fault. Wish the automotive industry would standardize front/rear cams and have recording take place (which hopefully the driver can disable if he/she's going to do something stupid). A lot of drivers in Russia have dashcams.Toyota FCV, 0-60 of 10 seconds. Since the drivetrain is still electric, maybe they could add a few supercapacitors to allow "boost" performance for a few seconds without being hard on the small battery pack. This may be how the newer Honda CRZs implement their "Sport+" button functionality.You should cover more hybrid & electric drivetrains, specialized engines such as upcoming HCCI engines from GM, Toyota, Mazda and others. New ECUs. That's the technology I'm interested in, along with all the nav and safety stuff.


    We'll have more of that stuff coming, but I am just one person :) .

    Quote:
    According to this TechCrunch video, the Tesla Model S was present at the Panasonic booth at CES 2014:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhjX2So3RgY


    Nice, I just ran through the Panasonic booth and ran straight to the Micro 4/3s camera section and didn't notice the Model S. Either way, statement still stands, the car is in production and has been for 2 years already, there hasn't been any update. If Tesla were to upgrade the vehicle systems to Tegra K1, then we'd report on it but otherwise the company had no real presence at CES or had anything to announce. I also see quite a few of them around the Seattle area and even more around CA.

  • 0 Hide
    Joseph Oese , January 19, 2014 6:05 AM
    this is wonderful
  • 0 Hide
    vaughn2k , January 20, 2014 7:42 PM
    Item 9 needs improvement. Its 'Fresnel' for Augistine-Jean Fresnel (a french phyisicist), and not Freshnel... ;) 
  • 1 Hide
    tuanies , January 20, 2014 7:46 PM
    Quote:
    Item 9 needs improvement. Its 'Fresnel' for Augistine-Jean Fresnel (a french phyisicist), and not Freshnel... ;) 


    Fixed. I'm pretty sure I typed Fresnel, but it could have been the lack of sleep and not enough caffeine following CES >_<
  • 1 Hide
    vaughn2k , January 20, 2014 9:31 PM
    @tuanies, Ohh, Good! now you can stop with the caffeine, and start having the best dream... ;) 
  • 0 Hide
    vaughn2k , January 21, 2014 12:26 AM
    @tuanies, Ohh, Good! now you can stop with the caffeine, and start having the best dream... ;) 
  • 0 Hide
    vaughn2k , January 21, 2014 12:28 AM
    really don't like this new comment/s interface.. xD
  • 0 Hide
    tuanies , January 21, 2014 7:27 AM
    Quote:
    @tuanies, Ohh, Good! now you can stop with the caffeine, and start having the best dream... ;) 


    There's only a reduction from a Monster + Trenta Starbucks to a cup of Keurig coffee a day, which I suppose is better ;)