Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve seen some interesting ways people have tried to meld iPhone with car, but this one might top them all. Meet Jon’s Mazda RX-8, controllable from anywhere in the world using an iPod touch over WiFi. As demonstrated on video, his custom web app can be used to lock and unlock the doors, start and stop the engine, and open the truck. A telemetry window provides data such as fuel level, battery voltage, RPM, speed, and temperatures. It’s even got a GPS so you can track the car’s wherabouts with Google Maps. All of this is accomplished with computer hidden in the trunk, hooked up to the on-board diagnostics, and equipped with a 3G modem to stay constantly connected to the interwebs. There’s no indication on whether he plans to take the mod further, but if so, we can only hope it involves some well-placed cameras and a tilt-controlled steering mechanism. We pity the foolish thief who tries to steal this “haunted” ride. Check out the video demonstration after the break.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Continue reading Mazda RX-8 controlled with iPod touch, Batman said to be jealous but coping

Filed under: Transportation

Mazda RX-8 controlled with iPod touch, Batman said to be jealous but coping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re pretty comfortable with the idea of open source software running on computers and mobile phone — heck, even guitars — but cars? That one we’re still warming up to, but this concept vehicle from EDAG definitely helps. As its name implies, the Light Car – Open Source lets developers modify and / or improve upon the auto’s technologies — or at least put a SNES emulator on the back. The lithium ion-powered bubble car also sports an OLED-infused exterior for lights and signals that are supposedly useful both to the driver and other nearby motorists, but in actuality we suspect it’d just scare anyone tailing behind. No information on the interior, but we imagine a decked out dashboard and some futuristic chairs. It’s currently being shown off at the Geneva Motor Show; hit up the read link for more pics.

Filed under: Transportation

EDAG’s Light Car EV is open source, doused in OLEDs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shopping for a new BMW in Korea? If you happen to own a Samsung T*Omnia (SCH-M490), you may want to divert your checkbook to this new 7-series, which houses a wireless charger for the phone in the middle console. This isn’t the first time Samsung and BMW have assimilated with one another, and those previous features — Bluetooth hands-free and iDrive controllers — are still present. Right now the charger only works with that specific handset, but we’d bet 5 won there’s gonna be more options in the future. Hit up the read link for pics of the symbiotic duo.

[Thanks, Tizian]

Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation

Korean BMW 7-series now features wireless charger for Samsung T*Omnia originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heads up, the fine folks at Autoblog Green have gotten their oil-encrusted hands on a full list of specs for Aptera’s 2e electric car, now on display at this year’s Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference. The 1,500-pound aerodynamic vessel has just a 0.15 coefficient of drag and features a smart key, emergency tire inflation, and energy-reflective solar glass. Inside, we’ve got LED dome lights mounted overhead, a DVD-based navigation system, optional rear backup camera, and interior fabrics / plastics made from recycled materials. The company’s still touting 100 miles on a single charge of the 10 to 13 kWh lithium ion phosphate battery pack. No new details on price, which we last heard would be between $25,000 and $45,000 — zipping down the road in a space-age cruiser doesn’t come cheap, you know.

Filed under: Transportation

Aptera unveils full specs for its flagship 2e originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We already knew that Daimler was looking in Tesla’s direction for electric vehicle batteries, but we certainly didn’t know that those passing glances were only the beginning of an underground battle for supply chain supremacy. As automakers struggle to move cars from lots, it’s being reported that some — Toyota, Tesla, Daimler and Nissan, in particular — are looking to parts fulfillment for profit. Toyota already has an edge on its rivals by being one of the only companies to actually produce its own batteries, and if demand begins to outstrip supply, other car makers could come running in hopes of stocking up. Of course, you’ve also got Nissan ramping up production in order to equip some 200,000 electric / hybrid vehicles annually over the next few years, so who knows if all this scheming will eventually backfire. Though, if one firm can somehow figure out how to make their battery stronger, more potent, lighter and cheaper — well, we needn’t tell you how that would play out.

[Image courtesy of AutoBeYours]

Filed under: Transportation

Battery wars: automakers seek profits in supplying EV parts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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