VIDEO: Audi MMI navigation with Google Earth

Just before Christmas Audi knocked out a release saying their new A8 would soon feature Google Earth integration with its MMI navigation system. While that sounds kinda cool, a static image didn’t really cut the mustard. However, since then a video has been released along with a press statement from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) in the UK criticising new advances to in-dash navigation systems.

The video of the Google features can be seen after the jump, along with a neat demo of the finger pad that allows you to write letter shapes to assist Audi’s MMI functionality.

Access to the Google Earth feature set is currently gained by GPRS/EDGE mobile technology, so expect it to be a bit slow and clunky at times. However, Audi has plans to release an updated system mid-year which will use a new UMTS modem to help improve data transfer. The nifty aspect of synching with Google is the ability for users to plan a journey at their desktop and then pickup the saved route once in the car. As you can imagine such connectivity opens up a whole range of new and exciting concepts for in-car navigation and “infotainment”.

And here’s where the IAM guys are starting to get worried. Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, reckons the results of such functionality and the potential to distract drivers “could be deadly”. He goes on to say, “If it’s not acceptable to read a novel while driving, how can it be acceptable to read a multimedia display? Just how much information can a car driver absorb and still drive responsibly?”

“There is a fine line between providing useful extra information and causing a dangerous distraction.” Mr Rodger added.

Rodger doesn’t dodge the issue in any way, going straight for the jugular with this comment, “Viewing things like restaurant reviews and venue information online while driving should be illegal, and it should be an offence to buy, sell, fit and transmit information for this particular use.”

To be fair, he probably has a point. Also, there’s no doubt Audi will plan to fit this technology to future models down the range, such as the A6 and A4, so such gizmos are going to be more commonplace. In-car internet, for all its marvels, is set to become the new target for police and road safety campaigners.

While many systems will be programmed to be used only when the car is stationary, which would ease Mr Rodger’s concerns, it remains to be seen how effective such restrictions will be and how easily they can be overcome by techno-boffins. Audi’s system, for example, is understood to carry a cautionary note to use the system when traffic conditions allow. In short, it appears as though you can pull up info from sites such as Wikipedia while on the move.

More on this topic can be read on the following New York Times article: Despite Risks, Internet Creeps Onto Car Dashboards

The new Audi A8 – with Google at the leading edge of Connectivity

• A8 searches for and retrieves internet content via the mobile phone network
• Online point-of-interest search powered by Google integrated with the Audi navigation system
• Google Earth available for the first time in a production vehicle

16 December 2009 – In early 2010 Audi will be bringing the next generation of the A8 to the starting line. The new flagship and its online services further demonstrate the brand’s proverbial Vorsprung durch Technik, by bringing a variety of Google services and information to the luxury sedan via the internet. The services will be available in selected markets.

The new A8 has set the bar at new heights with regard to multimedia technology. Its multimedia interface (MMI) navigation plus features among other innovations, a highly evolved operating concept incorporating a touchpad – known as MMI touch. Also included are an integrated hard disk for navigation, phone and audio data and a graphics processor capable of generating high-quality, three dimensional images. The MMI analyzes navigation data predictively, relaying information to the control units managing the automatic cruise control with Stop & Go, adaptive lights and the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox so that these systems can precisely adapt their function to conditions well in advance.

Equally state-of-the-art are the Audi online services which allow the new A8 to retrieve up-to-date information from the internet via the optionally integrated GPRS/EDGE modem in the MMI navigation plus. The user can search online with Google for points-of-interest directly from within the MMI, the versatile search engine accepting such free text search queries as “delicatessen” or “shoe boutique”. The results are then displayed on the onboard map or used as destinations for route calculation.

Highly comfortable: Destination planning at home
The data connection enables a further comfortable feature. A8 customers can plan their navigation destinations in Google Maps or the Audi web portal at home or in the office and retrieve these on demand in the car.

In mid 2010 Audi will further enhance its suite of online services with a new UMTS modem. This enables faster data transfer as well as simultaneous voice and data connections, and allows Audi to set a world first with the integration of Google Earth in the MMI navigation plus. High resolution three-dimensional satellite and aerial imagery for the entire globe and a worldwide database of photos and information articles are only some of the fascinating new features. With Google Earth on the MMI’s 8 inch LCD display the new Audi A8 allows its occupants to discover the world from above. The Google Earth imagery and 3D terrain model are combined with the detailed street network from the onboard navigation database as well as calculated routes in a seamless integration of online and offline content.

To use the new online services the customer simply needs to insert their SIM card in the MMI Navigation plus or pair their mobile phone with the MMI over the Bluetooth SIM-Access-Profile. Aside from the Customer’s existing mobile phone data plan, no additional contracts are required.

First shown as a prototype with Google in January 2006 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas/USA, the new online services can be experienced in the new A8 as a result of a close collaboration between Audi and Google development teams worldwide.

Digital dashboards are a safety hazard, says IAM

8 January 2010 – The internet dashboard, or ‘infotainment system’ is the next in-car device that could cause a major distraction to drivers, says the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).

Intel and Google are both looking into interactive dashboards, including 10-inch screens above the gearstick which will show 3D maps, web pages and even videos. Other similar systems are being previewed at trade shows.

Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, said: “If drivers were tempted to use the internet or watch videos on the move, the results could be deadly,”

“If it’s not acceptable to read a novel while driving, how can it be acceptable to read a multimedia display? Just how much information can a car driver absorb and still drive responsibly?”

“There is a fine line between providing useful extra information and causing a dangerous distraction. This system appears to cross that line,” Mr Rodger added.

“Viewing things like restaurant reviews and venue information online while driving should be illegal, and it should be an offence to buy, sell, fit and transmit information for this particular use.”

The systems are not designed to be used on the move, but not all systems will be impossible to use while driving. One car manufacturer’s version, due out this autumn, bears the notice: “Please only use the online services when traffic conditions allow you to do so safely”.

“It should be made clear that the system should only be used when the vehicle is parked,” Mr Rodger commented.