Audi Sees a Bright Future for the Technology in Your Car

By: Kuljit Grewal  |   June 12th, 2012   |   Cars

Audi foresees a future where interactive touchscreens that are similar to tablets allow for applications tailored for in-car use can be downloaded and used. It is so adamant in this belief, that Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi’s Sales and Marketing head has even gone so far as to predict a future where upgrades such as heated seats and others can be downloaded and activated in as simple a manner as downloading any smartphone application.

 

The company has always been a pioneer in integrated advanced technology with incredible physical engineering, having introduced Wi-Fi into their 2011 model flagship sedan, the A8. The vehicles are equipped with a SIM card in the car phone allowing a WLAN broadcast throughout the interior of the vehicle. The true engine of the system is the hardware that is built into the vehicle via a specialized antenna located at the top of the car. The SIM based technology means that a car specific data plan is required from a local telecommunications provider.

 

Other cars, in particular aggressive and hungry companies that have been providing bang for the buck value and an emphasis on technology such as Hyundai and Ford are also in the process of delivering similar levels of connectivity. Ford has already introduced Wi-Fi technology in a few 2012 models that allow you to connect and use your smartphone data plans to upload into and use as part of the car’s system.

 

The other German stalwarts such as Mercedes Benz and BMW are also unlikely to be left behind.

 

Although current technology allows for tools such as Google Maps to be used as the in car navigation system, we imagine that it will be commonplace to see the fantastic mapping tool as a handsome app located on a dashboard in the not too distant future. Wi-Fi also opens a realm of possibilities for other application types, including internet radio, podcasts as well as movie downloading and streaming for passengers.

 

The above of course fails to include the good old fashioned emailing, wheeling and dealing that would be an invaluable and expected luxury for many of the well-dressed men and women who would be sitting in the back of their Audi A8 making the world go round.