GM's down-under Holden division, having been mucking about regularly with telematics technologies, derived its AT Signature car as a platform for the company's tech innovations. Using some government seed money, Holden and Aussie partners including Intelematics, Sensis, 3M, Australian Arrow and Clipsal turned a Commodore V6 Calais — once the executive ride of Holden's innovation chief — into a rolling laboratory for car gadgetry. Version 1.0 has a virtual orchard of apps, including navigation and traffic monitoring, self-diagnosis of mechanical issues, PDA-like functions including scheduling and reminders, weather planners, parking pre-payment and manipulation of home automation devices. Version 2.0 will add car-to-car communications, live-motion video and road hazard alerts. Check out a demo here.
Car of the future [Fairfax Digital]
Related:
Toyota to Offer Upgraded Satellite-Based Communications, Like On-Star [internal]