BMW ADDS NEW “BMW SEARCH” SERVICE TO BMW ASSISTTM POWERED BY GOOGLE MAPS™.

Available in BMW Assist & Navigation-equipped 2009 BMW 1 & 3 Series Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey – September 15, 2008… BMW introduces access to Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) search capability within the vehicle on 2009 BMW Assist and Navigation system - equipped 1 and 3 Series. For the first time, subscribers to the optional BMW Assist Convenience Plan can access “BMW Search” to quickly find a desired business with just a key word, benefiting from the world’s most famous online search engine. After finding what you want, you can immediately start route guidance or a hands-free call with your Bluetooth® -linked phone at just a simple push of a button.

Utilizing newly introduced hardware operating on the AT&T Mobility GSM network, this unique service identifies the current location and destination of the vehicle automatically and then displays the local results with details of address, phone number and distance. For example, you can look up business information like the names of restaurants, hotels, service stations, banks, supermarkets, cinemas and public facilities such as schools or city halls, all by the simple use of a key word. You can also easily ask for a search at another location.

In a nutshell, “BMW Search” using Google search technology and intelligence saves time and reduces frustration with destination entry on today’s navigation systems. The information you look up is continuously updated by Google. “BMW Search” is the next logical and consequential development of the link between the automobile and the Internet.

To allow customers to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet directly to their BMW, Google and BMW began offering “MyInfo” with the introduction of the X6 back in April, now extended to all other 2009 BMWs except for X3. “BMW Search” now opens up access to the Internet directly from the vehicle, representing another building block in the BMW Assist services portfolio. About BMW Assist: BMW Assist provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW Assist and Bluetooth® System is standard on all 5, 6 and 7 Series models, including the M5 and M6, and is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option on all other models. BMW includes the Safety Plan for 4 years at no additional cost. BMW is the only manufacturer that offers this duration of service as other manufacturers only include the first year of service. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is a subscription based service that is subject to certain limitations.

The in-vehicle equipment integrates GPS technology and hands-free wireless communication functions to deliver emergency and other services, accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. The BMW Assist system transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW Assist Response Center. A response specialist speaks with the vehicle occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and/or requested. A severe accident automatically activates the Automatic Collision Notification function.

The BMW Assist Safety Plan also includes Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the driver time and money. New to BMW Assist is MyInfo, which allows users to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet, directly to their BMW. TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when the vehicle will need service. A service advisor then proactively calls the customer to set up a convenient appointment and have the needed parts ready.

BMW Assist subscribers can also enroll in the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of BMW Assist concierge services; from finding the lowest fuel price or the best French restaurant in the area to information on flight arrival gates or times, as well as receiving directions, traffic and weather information. On most models produced September 2006 and later, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the BMW Navigation system and the subscriber’s Bluetooth - linked mobile phone, after a push of the Concierge menu option. New for 2009 is BMW Search, which allows online access to the Google Maps database inside the vehicle to quickly find a desired business with just a key word. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a service that can connect the driver to a requested party via a response specialist in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged.

Lastly, the BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth hands-free calling and phone connectivity with phonebook access and speech recognition for dialing by name or number via steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth mobile phone. To learn more about BMW Assist, please visit www.bmwassist.com.

[via Bimmer File]

After years of Google Street View cameras capturing accidents, boob flashings, gun fights and more, it's kind of nice to see the tables being flipped. This particular camera-bearing Google Street View vehicle was captured receiving what is likely a traffic violation. That, or the cop is one die-hard fan of Google Street View. Wait, should we be blaming Google for that Prius shortage? [Giz]

We're not 100% sure what is going on in this image, but it looks to us as though this man is the proud owner of both a Ford Focus sedan and an early 1990's Spirit/Acclaim. Given that the Pentastar sedan already has custom rims, we wouldn't be surprised if the gentleman is trying to install aftermarket fog lights and has rigged a way to suspend himself upside down for the installation. But hey, that's just a guess. What do you think is going on here? (h/t Bob)[Google Street View]

A spokesperson for Google summed it up as "Oops, our bad." We guess that means the drug dealings, boob flashings and car accidents of North Oaks will never be seen by curious bloggers (you know, like us). [The Register]

Nope, as you can see listed in the graphic above, Mercedes currently offers their "Search&Send" service, which basically offers the same thing. But both companies are relatively late to the game, with GM's OnStar being the first to offer a system with a from-the-internet feature, "Web Destination Entry." However, the advantages of the BMW and Mercedes systems should be obvious. The OnStar service is critically hobbled by their copious usage of the "space bar" and the decision to partner with Mapquest rather than the Gods of Google. However, they do get bonus points for OnStar's decade-long space bar-bereft name. Full press release, with stodgy spaces, below.

CONNECT YOUR DRIVE: BMW ADDS NEW "MYINFO" SERVICE FROM BMW ASSIST(TM) POWERED BY GOOGLE MAPS(TM) 04/11/2008 Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey - April 11, 2008...Navigation systems have become even easier, faster and more convenient to use with the introduction of "MyInfo". This latest addition to the BMW Assist Safety Plan allows subscribers to send business locations and street addresses and their associated phone numbers found in Google Maps(TM), an innovative online mapping service, from the comfort of their home or office directly to their BMW. Effective as of April 8 production of 2008 X6 Sports Activity Coupes equipped with the BMW Assist and Bluetooth® Hands-free calling System, customers will be able to call the phone numbers received with their Bluetooth connected mobile phone or, if their BMW is equipped with a navigation system, immediately start route guidance by a simple push of a button.

To use MyInfo, just search for a business or street address on Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) and click on the "Send" link at the top-right corner of the map. Select "Car", then "BMW" and "BMW US" for country and enter your e-mail address on file with BMW Assist as your BMW Assist account name. You can add a personal note, if desired, then press the "Send" button - and your destination is on its way. Once inside your BMW, simply push the MyInfo button within the BMW Assist menu and you will find the desired destination and associated phone number.

Already popular in Europe and recently launched in Canada this unique service allows advanced preparation for your next trip. Before you leave the house or office, you can easily and quickly determine online the exact location of up to 10 of your desired destinations and then make them available in your BMW. The advantage is that the listings found at Google Maps no longer have to be written down or printed out. Also manual data entry into the navigation system is no longer needed -the address and phone number is already in your iDrive menu. Even better, you can share MyInfo with your family, friends and colleagues so that they can send destinations, phone numbers and even notes to the vehicle while you are on the road. But best of all, there is no charge for this service, as it's included as part of the Safety Plan for the first four years, like the other benefits of Ultimate Service.

MyInfo will be included on BMW Assist-equipped X5, X6, 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 Series, effective with Model Year 2009. For now it is an exclusive feature of the 2008 X6. The X6 Sports Activity Coupe will be offered in the USA in two versions. The X6 xDrive35i, sporting a 300hp, twin-turbo, inline 6 cylinder will be available at authorized BMW SAV centers on April 26th. The twin-turbo V8 powered X6 xDrive50i will come to the US market in the late summer 2008.

To learn more about MyInfo, please visit www.bmwusa.com/bmwassist.

About BMW Assist:

BMW Assist provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is standard on all 5, 6, and 7 Series models, including M5 and M6, and is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option on all other models. BMW is the only manufacturer that offers this service for 4 years at no additional cost. Most other manufacturers cover only the first year of service.

The in-vehicle equipment for BMW Assist includes GPS technology and hands-free communication functions accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. Vehicle occupants may request emergency or other services simply by pressing a button; the BMW Assist system then transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW Assist Response Center. A response specialist will then speak with the occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and requested. A severe accident automatically activates the BMW Assist emergency call as well. The BMW Assist Safety Plan also includes Remote Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the owner time and money.

TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when a vehicle will need service. The Service Advisor then proactively calls the customer to set up a convenient appointment and have the needed parts ready.

BMW Assist subscribers can also enroll in the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of BMW Assist Concierge services, from travel planning to dining reservations, shopping assistance and event tickets, as well as receive directions, and traffic and weather information. On most models produced September 2006 and later, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the BMW navigation system and Bluetooth®-linked mobile phone, after a push of the Concierge button. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a service that connects the driver in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged. After pushing the SOS button, a BMW Assist response specialist will link the driver to his requested party for up to five minutes and for up to four events per year.

As before, the BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity with hands-free phonebook access and dialing by name or number via the steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth mobile phone.

BMW Group in America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and the X6 Sports Activity Coupe. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:

www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorradusa.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

# # #

Of course, if a couple of college students driving around with all manner of black boxes, electronics and wires can gain access to a high-security military installation, it begs the question, what's stopping Al Qaeda?

At the Pentagon's request, Google has removed the material.

Like most in-car infotainment and media systems, it will only work if the car is going 3 mph or slower for the dash-mounted system. People in the back can enjoy all of the dragon porn imaginable at any speeds. Also, it operates on the EDGE network. EDGE is a cellphone data network that is somewhat slow, at least compared to 3G and other broadband speeds. It operates somewhere between dial-up and DSL speeds, which can be painful to deal with, particularly when seeking rapid gratification from naughty nekkedness while motoring.

World Debut for Unrestricted Use of the Internet: BMW ConnectedDrive Brings the World Wide Web to the Car Display in a BMW.

Sheer driving pleasure and the joy of surfing. BMW combines the thrill of mobility and unrestricted use of the internet. As the world's first car maker, BMW allows unrestricted access to the World Wide Web in the car's display.

Offering this outstanding innovation, BMW ConnectedDrive gives the driver and his passengers the option to surf the internet while travelling, calling up any random internet site either by entering the URL address through the iDrive control system or via a personalised list of favourites, and then presenting the website on the central display in the instrument panel.

This system developed in the context of BMW ConnectedDrive is the consistent enhancement of the intelligent network connecting the driver, the car and their surroundings. Following the highly beneficial features already offered by BMW Online and the option presented in summer 2007 to use the Google online search machine and its various categories in the car, BMW ConnectedDrive now for the first time offers genuine internet in a BMW.

As in the case of BMW Online with direct access to Google, BMW is now once again taking on the leading role in providing online services in the car. Again, therefore, the world's largest manufacturer of premium automobiles is proving its competence in the area of vehicle electronics.

As a special offer by BMW ConnectedDrive, internet surfing in the car will be available as an optional extra in BMW's production models straight from the factory in the course of 2008. The version presented at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show is a prototype very close to series production. Also when using the internet: maximum convenience thanks to BMW iDrive.

BMW ConnectedDrive brings the complete World Wide Web into the car on the display, offering more functions all in one go than the driver will usually enjoy on the internet in his office or on his PC at home.

This is made possible by the unique BMW iDrive control system activating and masterminding all telecommunication, entertainment, navigation and air conditioning functions via the Controller on the centre console and the centre display in the dashboard.

In using the internet, the BMW iDrive Controller acts in the same way as a conventional computer mouse: Moving the Controller in various directions, the user is able to move the mouse on the internet site shown in the display. Then, pressing the Controller, the user clicks the mouse on the PC to select links
or specific items in the menu. By turning the Controller, finally, the user scrolls up and down to the appropriate internet site.

The display presents internet sites in high resolution, an additional function serving to enlarge specific sections on the display by a factor of 1.5 or 2.

The presentation of internet sites on the display is only possible for safety reasons with the car at a standstill. As with the configuration of TV and/or DVD functions available as an option on cars with BMW iDrive, the internet site disappears as soon as the vehicle exceeds a speed of 5 km/h. But on models equipped with an optional DVD system in the rear, the internet function might also be added, allowing passengers on the rear seats to surf the net also when driving at higher speeds above 5 km/h.
High-resolution presentation, fast data transfer.

Apart from high-resolution presentation of web contents on the display, fast transfer of data is also guaranteed, with data transfer based on EDGE technology (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), which, unlike third-generation telephony, is already available on a broad scale and is three to four times faster than GPRS mobile connections.

A special BMW server quickly transfers internet sites into the car and ensures optimum presentation on the display. It also optimises flash animations and other so-called applets with extremely high data volume, which might otherwise slow down the fast transmission rate required. In this way, therefore, BMW ConnectedDrive ensures improved data transfer for comfortable surfing within the car.

A further option is to receive and send e-mails straight from the car, with additional applications such as online banking also being conceivable in full in future.

Using the existing BMW Online portal in the internet, BMW is already the first car maker to offer, through BMW ConnectedDrive, the option to transmit navigation destinations generated by Google Maps into the car from any PC. Then the address data may be used directly in the car as navigation and telephone dial destinations. In the near future, therefore, the BMW Online portal in the internet will allow the configuration of web addresses shown in the car as favourites on the car's internet starting page.

Over and above the activation of links on the internet sites shown in the display and the choice of web addresses as favourites, BMW also allows the direct selection of new contents simply by entering a URL. To do this, all the user has to do is enter the URL in the browser's address field, also using other entry fields on internet sites. The entries are made via a selection of letters which, in their function, correspond to the entry of addresses in BMW navigation systems, with convenience and ease of operation being optimised once again.

Whenever the car is used by several drivers one after the other, personalised starting pages may be installed without problems. In that case each driver is able to retrieve the starting page he requires by making his personal registration in the system.

Surfing the internet in the car's display will be available before the end of this year as a new offer from BMW ConnectedDrive installed directly at the factory and provided together with an unlimited data flatrate.

BMW ConnectedDrive: optimum mobility, maximum comfort.

Offering internet on the car's screen as an outstanding innovation, BMW is once again making a pioneering breakthrough in the area of intelligent networking, bringing together the driver, the car and the world around them and consistently enhancing the wide range of internet-based services already offered since 2001.

BMW combines such individual online, assistance and service systems in the car under the general term "BMW ConnectedDrive" referring to services which may be used directly through the navigation system or over the telephone in the interest of significantly enhanced comfort and safety.

One example is BMW Assist which, apart from providing an emergency call function and the latest traffic information, also offers a personal enquiry service. Data requested on restaurants, cinemas or hotels may, for example, be fed directly into the BMW navigation system as the driver's destination.

Internet-based services such as stock values, the weather report and free parking space, in turn, are covered by BMW Online. And BMW TeleServices, finally, registers the car independently and automatically with the customer's BMW Service Partner whenever service is required.

This wide range of internet-based services in the car and the technology involved has been consistently enhanced since 2001. Integrating such services completely in the car's electronics, BMW Online has a unique position in the market to this day. Such integration of services allows convenient access to local information in the car, BMW Online now also comprising mobility services such as looking for parking space and orientation by mobile phone and an e-mail account with an address directory, information on travel and leisure-time activities as well as hotels and restaurants, an enquiry service, news and weather, the "My News" (RSS feeds), as well as business news and the stock exchange.

In summer 2007 BMW became the world's first car maker to offer the Google search function in the car, allowing users throughout Germany to retrieve local information directly from the internet through the world's best-known online search machine. The information obtained is then presented conveniently
at the touch of a button in the navigation system and also goes to the user's mobile phone. The system detects the location and destination of the car independently and presents the results obtained in the area covered together with their address, telephone number and distance, enabling the user to
search for names and addresses in a local directory, for example the addresses of restaurants, hotels, filling stations, banks, supermarkets, cinemas or local authorities.

The Google search function in the car consistently enhances the intelligent link of the car and the internet. Introducing the "Send to Car" function, Google and BMW already offered the possibility before to send search results from the Google Maps website directly to the car. And now the Google services
search function provides direct access to the internet from the car itself as a further milestone in BMW ConnectedDrive.

Most car guys have watched the legendary chase sequence in the movie Bullitt enough times to have it memorized, but have you ever tried driving it? Our guess is that if you tried it and succeeded, you must have an early copy of the Moller M200 because unfortunately the route is impossible. An intrepid Google user with the tag mthaeg has gone to the trouble of matching the movie to the roads of the bay area, and despite the greatness of the chase, it isn't based in reality. It seems the footage was filmed in nine different locations all over San Francisco. While this in no way diminishes the greatness of the 1968 Peter Yates classic, it does make recreating it with your own Mustang Bullitt and Charger SRT-8 that much more difficult. Click through for the map or go directly to to Google maps page for much more detail.

World first

BMW is the only automobile manufacturer to offer the Google local search in the car - available now. For the first time, you can use this search function to look for local information everywhere in Germany with the world's most famous online search engine. When you find what you want, the details are transferred to the navigation system and car phone at the touch of a button. The system identifies the location and destination of the vehicle automatically and displays the results in the vicinity with details of address, phone number and distance. For example, you can look for Yellow Pages information like names and addresses of restaurants and hotels and locate service stations, banks, supermarkets, cinemas and public bodies. In a nutshell: The automobile Google local search service saves time and stops your nerves getting frayed.

Google local search in the vehicle is a logical development of the intelligent link between automobile and Internet. Google and BMW have been offering the function "Send to Car" for transferring search results from the Google Maps website directly to the car for some time. Google local search now gives access to the Internet from the car. This is another building block in BMW "ConnectedDrive" which combines all individual online, assistance and service systems in the car. Apart from BMW Online, this includes BMW Assist, which offers the emergency call function, as well as an information and breakdown service and the latest traffic information. Depending on the navigation system selected, all services from BMW ConnectedDrive can be procured and used free of charge for up to three years.

Plug-in hybrids are the "killer app" of alternative automotive energy says Google. That's a fancy way of saying they've got some Googlebux, and they're not afraid to use them. The company's funding a new program called RechargeIT, a Google.org initiative aiming to reduce CO2 emissions and petroleum use, but also to feed power back to the electrical grid. That's correct — the once pie-in-the-sky concept of vehicle-to-grid (VTG) tech is getting a major supporter with the R&D pockets to get something mainstream to happen. How can you stop these people? Poor Yahoo! – Mike Spinelli

Recharge a Car, Recharge the Grid, Recharge the Planet [Google.org]

Related:
Electric Cars Could Sell Excess Power to Grid, Professors Say [internal]

"This morning on my way into downtown I spotted the Microsoft live "street view" truck. I only had time to grab one picture before my exit onto J street. Its a cameraphone pic so its not great but you can see the cameras on top of the truck and the Microsoft Live logos on the back. I did not catch the name of the company out on the prowl for them either."

Related:
Google Street View: How They Did It [internal]

If you're like us, you've been playing with Google Maps Street View for the past week instead of working. But if you've also spent too many hours wondering, while picking lint off a throw pillow, how they created all those street-level panoramas, you might want to leave the day room for a few minutes. For much of it, you can thank Immersive Media, whose Beetle-mounted Dodeca camera provided the 360-degree shots. Arranged in a dodecahedron, the camera's 11 lenses and sensors produces 11 video streams of 100 million pixels per second. Pretty sneaky, goog. – Mike Spinelli

Google Maps, Immersive Media Offer Street Level View [Media Post via Carscoop]

Related:
Even Google News Gets An Oracle When Searching For Delphi [internal]

Congrats to the General on helping to put up the ducats necessary to pay for NBC/Fox's new GooTube competitor. That's right, GM's going to be one of the first advertisers on the new online video collaboration between the fair and balanced Fox and the peacocks at NBC. And we're glad to see it, because we think the world needs more boldly moving automakers willing to agree to buy advertising on a platform that doesn't yet exist, and will probably quickly become filled with videos of cats playing piano, ninjas and you know, other randomness. We also like that Cadberry's buying advertising on it as well, because we like the chocolate eggs and stuff. – Ray Wert

Everyone and Their Mother Teams Up to Form GooTube Competitor [Gizmodo]
Google's tactical error [Valleywag]
NBC, News Corp Team Up to Build Video Website [CNBC.com]

Related:
AdAge to GM: Pony Up, We've Got Mouths To Feed!; GM An Official Transformers Movie Partner, Rick Wagoner To Play Megatron?; GM Cutting Ad Spending, Less Johnny O'Connell?! [internal]

Finally, BMW and Google have made that most crucial of connections between our digital and IRL lives. And that's not just more dipshit tech-hype speak. BMW announced a new system that combines Google Maps with its cellular-based Drive Assist system. BMW drivers no longer have to stop and get analog with pen and paper. They can now send locations from Google Maps Deutchland right to their cars. Then they can use the address as their sat-nav destination, or call it from their car. It's part of Google's nascent "Send to Car" service, which is destined to blow up once more automakers and aftermarket suppliers get on board. – Mike Spinelli

In Germany, send Google Maps right to your BMW [CNet]

Related:
Volkswagen, Google Working Together on Nav Systems [internal]

According to the New York Times, Google (motto: "Keeping Math Geeks Out of Academia Since 1998") is using a portion of its epic pile of Googlebux to develop a plug-in hybrid car powerplant for passenger cars. The project is part of a wide-reaching philanthropic effort, Google.org, which has been capitalized to the tune of $1 billion and chartered with alleviating poverty, disease and global warming. The gas-electric powerplant will have a target mileage rating of 100 mpg, run on ethanol, electricity and gasoline, and probably even send an SMS when the "check engine light" goes on. [Thanks to Greg for the tip.]

Philanthropy Google's Way: Not the Usual [The New York Times]

Related:
GM Planning a Plug-in Hybrid? [internal]

Find used cars with Google [Lifehacker]

Related:
How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Gas Cap Arrow [internal]

A few days ago, Google-related blog Google Blogoscoped pointed out BMW's web trick to gain high placement on Google results for used cars, or "gezundtheitwagen" (or thereabouts). Now, Google has dropped the company's page ranking in retribution for its alleged attempt at scamage. According to Blogoscoped, BMW.de now has a PageRank of zero, meaning the site is buried under 10 million pounds of Google executives' stock options, virtually never to be seen again by Google users. Remember kids, Google rule one is "never scam Google," rule two is "NEVER SCAM GOOGLE, BITCH." [Thanks to the army of readers who tipped us to this.]

German BMW Banned From Google [Google Blogoscoped]; Google dropped BMWs rank to zero after discovering doorway trick [Portal IT]

Related:
Volkswagen, Google Working Together on Nav Systems [internal]

Now here's a novel idea — combine Google Maps with automotive navigation. Google and Volkswagen showed off such a system at the CES show in Las Vegas last month; now the companies have teamed up with chipmaker nVidia to turn the prototype into something we'll see at center dash in coming model cycles. Volkswagen's Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL), in Palo Alto, Calif is development ground zero for the system — which will feature photo-realistic, high-res 3D maps, real-time traffic updates and routing and car-to-car communication. No word on whether Google's rumored teleportation portal will be standard or optional. Click through for press release.

Press Release:

VOLKSWAGEN AND GOOGLE TEAM UP TO EXPLORE FUTURE VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
Virtual Reality: Prototype with Google Earth creates realistic 3D, satellite-based map

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. Volkswagen of America, Inc. and Google presented the future of vehicle navigation at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, and it s closer to virtual reality than ever before.

Volkswagen, Google, and graphics chipmaker, nVidia, are working on an in-car navigation map system and display that is 3-dimensional and more real looking than anything that s available today.

Driver and Passenger will be able to instinctively recognize where they are in relation to the surrounding topography, especially in urban areas that are depicted with depth and accurate size relationships between buildings and roads.

Volkswagen, working through its Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL), in Palo Alto, Calif., together with Google and nVidia, is also working on other advancements, including automatic personalized content updates for its vehicle navigation systems.

Highlights of Volkswagen s prototype vehicle include a vehicle-centric touchscreen interface to Google Earth with state-of-the-art graphics, accurate 3D maps and real-time traffic updates and routing. This open system harnesses the power of the web to maintain a dynamic database of current information on restaurants, dealerships, gas stations and other points of interest that can be overlaid directly onto the user s 3D map. With the increasing accuracy of GPS, dead-reckoning and laser-radar imaging, as well as ever-improving car-to-infrastructure communication, this prototype will be available on showroom floors in the near future.

High-quality 3D and satellite-based representations of the world are becoming an exciting feature in on-line search engines and navigation. These photo-realistic, high-resolution 3D images are not only more engaging for the user, but they are also more efficient and accurate at conveying information than traditional 2D mapping representations.

Related:
Follow that Ghost!: Microsoft Applies to Patent Phantom Car Technology [internal]